The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-01-28

EEK Victor Emmanuel ILL.,, king
Of Italy. Queen Helena
makes no secret Of her sat
isfaction at the outcome of this re-
markable romance between the daugh-
ter Of the late West Virginia million
aire and United States senator and the
man who is first cousin to the king.
and who might ascend the throne
should death take away his brothers
and the little sons of the royal fam
lily. And as for the Bourbon Duchess
d'Aosta, sister-in-law of the duke, she
is unfeignedly delighted. From the
first she utterly opposed the marriage
Of prince of the blood royal and a
vulgar American commoner." as she
was pleased to dub the beautiful and
exceedingly rich young American
girl
so once, at least, romance Is dead.
Why? Did not the ardent young
lovers plight eternal troth? or course
no one but they really knows. yet the
report that they did was more than
mere rumor. The story has It that
the King of Italy was willing to give
his consent. II this was true, he gave
way before the united opposition OF
the ladies of the royal family. 1t has
been said that the duke and Miss Elk
fms vowed that II they could not wed
each other, they would never wed any
one else. There was at least a sub
stantial basis of truth in these reports,
but just how far the romance went and
Just what killed 1t the world will prob
ably never know.
Affections Transferred.
And so the duke of the Abruzzi went
away to seek solace in the wilds of Az
RIGA. Report has It that the wound in
his heart has healed and that formal
announcement of his engagement to
the dashing. handsome. hot-headed
Princess Xenia, daughter OF the ruler
OF little Montenegro, who last Aug
ust proclaimed himself king over his
100000 subjects, may be expected.
writes correspondent of the New
York World. Though the kings in
come is not a fifth of that SO long en-
joyed by Senator Elkins, he is of royal
blood. His daughter, according to
foreign etiquette, Is therefore quite
the dukes equal and fit to be the wife
OF the man who might some day be
king.
Not that the beautiful Xenia Is not
well bred and Of exquisite charm and
grace. Her highness had the advan-
tage OF a bringing-up at the Russian
court, where they do things differently
from the somewhat primitive court at
Cettinje. Her father, who mas ruled
since 1860, lives little differently from
the fierce and uncouth men who are
his subjects.
To begin with. Princess Xenia is
best known In Europe as one of-the
few living women who have Tilted
king. 1t was King Alexander of Servia
whom she Tilted, away back in 1899.
when he came accounting to the minia-
ture court of the then Prince Nicholas
OF Montenegro, now selfproclaimed
king.
"lmpossibIei" Cried Princess.
AS it always Is with royalty. the
marriage had been arranged by the
families in question. Whether or not
the Princess Xenia would like Alexan-
der, whom she had never seen, did not
concern them; the piquant and self
not even consulted.
Alexander had already secured the
courts of Europe for mate. Russia
and Austria had told him that no Ser
VANS need apply. Finally he got
down as far as Montenegro, and Nicho-
las, eager for more influence In the
Balkans. gladly gave his consent for
his daughter xenia. The poor princess.
barely Is then, was told to make ready
to meet her future lord and master.
In he shambled. grinning. blinking
through his heavy glasses, knock
kneed, and most unattractive! The
princess gave him one glance and
shuddered
Mon Dieu!" she cried in French,
''mais vous etes impossible!" or In po-
lite English, she frankly told Alexan-
der that he was impossible. 1t was
the cry of an innocent, unspoiled young
girl The prince was not at all re-
buffed, and attempted to humble some
protest that perhaps fatigue and ner-
vousness had overcome her royal high
ness.
xenia gasped once more. And then
she fed from the room. The royal
romance had died before It was born.
Alexander married Nine. Draga Mas
chin, and few years later both were
leesassinated BY the kings officers in
the royal palace at Belgrade.
But the fame Of the Princess xenia's
spirit and wondrous classic beauty
had gone abroad In Europe, and many
. peer and .nobleman came accounting.
Prince George Of Greece was eager
70 marry Eenia, but she would have
Z none Of him. The Grand Duke MI
ehasL brother Of the GEAR Of Russia.