Omaha daily bee., 1912-03-24
prettiest Pearl Mother
in Paris, Hired to Nurse
the Sick Pearls of Wicked
Old Empress Catherine,
Gagged. Tormented,
Beset By the Cars
Spies, Sends a Cry
For Help to Her
King Alfonso.

might be there. She followed him to the
grounds, but found no trace OF her dogs.
Here madame" said the marshal, ten
DERBY, "are two beautiful dogs which His
Majesty presents to you to take the place OF
those you have lost"
He pointed to two superb Russian wolf
hounds, who stood about as high as her
shoulder
She tried to step out Of the palace grounds.
but the dogs prevented her. Evidently these
pets" had been trained not to let her get
away. They we're canine spies!
When she returned to her apartments
new surprise awaited her. Her beauty doctor
had gone, but this time there was no occasion
to suspect that he had been kidnapped. He
had left note In his own handwriting saying
that he had been offered splendid opportu-
nifty to make money in st. Petersburg and
begged her to excuse his hurried departure.
In his place she found whiskered Russian
who had seen service as police surgeon.
Then her laundress was lured away by
the offer OF fine position 500 miles further.
So, Tortola Valencia was entirely sur
rounded by Russians This time she fell into
long and serious Mysteries. The Russians
we're alarmed-on account OF the pearls-and
sought to console her.
"Your spies prosecute me-" she cried. 81
will not mother the Cars pearls any more"
II will 20 away now-at once-frorn your
horrid country-from your sale pdvs. Have
my trunks prepared at once.
: i'But, madame" said the marshal, pray
do not 20 at once. Remember that His Ma
jesty has trusted you, that you have taken
His Majesty's money. Then II will be very
difficult for you to leave until the necessary
formalities have been accomplished"
The dancer quickly realized that she was
a prisoner, more carefully secluded from the
outside world than she would have been In
any civilized Jail She suppressed her hys-
terical tendencies and began 10 use her
woman's wit to save herself from q situation
that really frightened her.
Her maternal solicitude for the dingy pearls
of malodorous memory that encircled her
bosom became exquisitely tender. Even
Count Kinsky seemed touched.
Gayety, congenial social intercourse, she
explained, were very good for the pearls.
Count KinsKy came to see her very much,
but even that was not enough. To satisfy
her the marshal permitted her to receive the
visits Of a dashing young member OF the
Russian nobility, Of UNREASONABLE loyalty,
whose acquaintance she had already made in
Paris
Their drives, their little suppers were at.
tended by two or more discreet members Of
the secret service, doubtless with concealed
assistants in the background. Unique situa-
tons arose. The presence Of these whis-
kered minions Of the Gar did not check the
young princes ardor. It was only when the
name OF the Gar or some matter OF possible
political import was mentioned that he grew
cold.
One afternoon the dancer suggested that
they drive round and see the secretary Of the
Spanish Legation, young man with lively
reputation In six capitals. The Russians &C
ouiesced. luncheon bieH arose had per.
haps dulled their suspicious.
Once inside the Spanish Legation she was
on extra-Russian territory. on the territory OF
her native land. She acted decisively. She
asked for sheet OF paper and wrote:
"To His Majesty. King Alfonso Kill
Il am held a prisoner In the Czarske-Selo
Palace, 81. Petersburg As Spanish subject
| appeal to your Majesty to secure my free
dom"
She demanded loudly that the secretary
should transmit this dispatch to Madrid. The
Minister and other secretaries came In. They
promised that her complaint should be at
tended to. She would not leave the legation
until they had given her written receipt Of
her statement.
incidentally she poured out before wit
nesses the whole story OF her wrongs-her
Kidnapped maid and chef. her vanished bill
dogs her slumbers spied upon. Paris learned
her woes and was thrilled
Whether King Alfonso will take any formal
action may be questioned, but now that the
whole story has reached the outside world.
the Russians can no longer hold TortoIa
against her will, which was all she desired.
She may 90 away II she wishes to, or she
may get back her maid and her chef, but
hardly her bulldogs, which are probably
buried. and, finally. she may even get double
nav for completing the peculiarly unpleasant
labor Of nothering the Cars pearls