The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-03-11
BECOMES A NUN
Story Of Gen. Kurspatkin's
Daughter Who, 1t is Said,
Is Enjoying the Shelter Of IN
American Convent.

press, II autnentlc, is OF some interest
under the present circumstances, as
bearing upon the private life of one
who today stands prominently before
the world.
Many years ago the first wife of
Kuropatkin was travelling with the
consent of the Car and of her hus-
band. i'll Europe, and while residing in
Rome, on June 90, 1873, the Feast of
SIS. Peter and Paul, gave birth to a
little daughter. Mother and child re-
manned in Rome for another five years,
then returned to Russia for brief
time. and later on resumed their trav-
els, returning to Russia at intervals.
The mothers faith in her own church,
the orthodox church of Russia, had
meanwhile been shaken, and, with the
cOnsent of her husband. she and her
little daughter became converts to
Catholicism. The priest who received
them into the church was Father Lam
bert Sd, now living in Chicago, and
to a convent for education AMI relig-
IONS instruction, making her first Holy
Communion in France.
Leaving the national church of Rus
sia and embracing another faith is,
however, Il crime in the eyes of the
Car and his government. and, as her
conversion had taken place since the
accession to the throne of Alexander
I'LL. Kuropatkin's wife had fallen I'M
der the severe displeasure of the gov
eminent. 1t was partly owing to this
that her stays in Russia after her con-
version We're never for long. How
ever. her great wealth enabled her to
travel in fine style and to furnish her
daughter with the best instruction I'M
der private tutors and governesses.
The party included her two children,
several servants and medical assist
ant. With her at the critical time we
are now approaching was also lady
who was known rs a friend of Lady
Kuropatkin.
The whole party were travelling in
America when the Lady Kuropatkin,
who had twice before been stricken
down with violent illness, fell sick
and died. The symptoms We're either
those Of cholera or poison, and which
Of the two it really was has never been
determined to this day. The lady
friend of the deceased. above referred
to, some time later became the second
wife Of General Kuropatkin.
Years passed, and the daughter of
the first wife rapidly grew to woman
hood. Just about this period of the
girls existence various statements are
made. some of which are irreconcilable
with others. This much alone seems
to be certain. that she was very I'M
happy; that she suffered from perse-
cution on her stepmother's and step
sisters part and that finally she be-
came m0rbidly afraid for her personal
safety Or of being forced into a love-
less marriage.
1t appears that the girl agreed to
vanish forever from st. Petersburg,
! from her family circle. from Russia,
and that-acting under duress or no
In plot was Matched to make it appear
| that she had met with a fatal acct
dent.
The story as given out was that she
had accidentally been drowned in the
| Neva, and, indeed, the unclaimed body
Of young girl was ut that time taken
out of the swift current of the mighty
river and identified as that of the
daughter.
General Kuropatkin was furnished
with enough evidence to convince him
Of the death Of his daughter. Since
| then-in fact, twelve years ago ne
has mourned her as dead. And what
ever her powerful RECONSIDERATION
terror of Il detested union with man
l she abhorred or other dread-the girl
! has since remained as dead, in joyous
! exile, without the slightest thread of
communication with her family and
l friends.
! 1t seems that passports without
which even today nobody can leave
Russa) had been provided by the STEP
mother, and that the fugitive went al
most Immediately to America to visit
the scene of her former happiness.
About five years ago Mother Mary
Joseph, Northumberland of a re-
ligious order known as the Mission
Helpers Of the Sacred Heart. was en-
trusted with the protection of our her
dine.
} From the first this gentle hearted
and pious lady took II strong and
growing mOtherly interest in the fair
| Russian refugee. and little by little
the desire ripenc1 in her heart and
brain to restore her charge to her faith
er and to that high sphere in her ma
tive country to which the girl by right
belongs. and for which She seems adj
milMbly fitted.
TO this purpose she has now devoted
herself. and meantime Kuropatkins
daughter. under an assumed name, en-
| joys the tranquil shelter of an Ameri-
lean convent.