The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-12-31

Livadia," have been invited. The 9TH
er day, IN company with the emperor
and the little czarvitch, she helped to
nail the new colOrs of regiment to
the flag staff. No insane person
could possibly go through this pro-
gram.
While, then, It is absolutely untrue
that the empress has lost her reason,
1t is also untrue that she gives way
to fits of depression and is extreme
~ capricious. She has never been
popular with the court, and this is
bearing and her uncomfortable tenn
bearing and her uncomfortable tenn
per. A lady in waiting once kissed
one of the imperial children. The en-
press tartly told her that she had
no right to do more than kiss the
child's hand.
After the opening of the first du-
ma she entirely lost control of her
temper. The writer had the privilege
or witnessing that historic ceremony,
and was impressed. as were all pres-
ent, with the difference of attitude
toward the imperial family displayed
oy the courtiers and mobiles on one
side of st. Georges hall in the win
ter palace and the members of the
duma on the other. As the two en-
presses retired from the hall, bow
ing right and left. the courtiers cheer
ed While the duma members stared
at them in silence
Thought Herself InsuItcd,
Luncheon was timed to he served
TO the imperial party Immediately af-
Ter tne ceremony. 1t was delayed
more than half an hour. The rea-
son was that the young empress was
hysterical with rage. She stamped
on the floor and wept with passion
at the insult she considered had been
ofered to her. The emperor and the
dowager empress had the greatest diff
f1culty In calming her, and the lunch
con was almost spoiled.
Two years ago the empress, hav-
ing heard of the German empress
success in that line, determined to
undergo treatment in order to reduce
her figure. She succeeded remark
ably. unhappily, the treatment left
her In very weak condition, and
when she caught Influenza she had
not the physical strength to rally.
For long time she was unable to
leave her bed, and she has never
since been in robust health.
Indifferent health has increased her
defects of character. She has become
very capricious, and her ladies' in
waiting have no easy task. She will
state that she is tired and going to
lie down. Her ladies imagine that
they are free, and then. to their an
noyance, five minutes later their I'M
perial mistress will change her mind
and decide to go for drive.
Fortunately her long stay in Lii
vadia, where the climate is temper
ate and the scenery delightful, has
gone far to restore her health. 1t is
now arranged that she sxill return to
st. Petersburg with the emperor.
They are expected to stay two days
in Moscow, and will then be at Tsar-
skoe Selo for a short time. After
ward they will come to the winter
palace for the season, and several
court balls will be given.
The empress has never played the
role of politician. She contents her
self with being an affectionate wife
and mother. Like her sister, the
grand duke serge, she is devout
daughter of the established church. 1t
is said that since the birth Of her
son she displays a greater desire than
she formerly showed to conserve the
rights of the Russian crown.