The Ordway new era., 1912-05-10
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altogether pleased at their sons
choice. nor his subjects either. They
rather hoped he would have chosen
some powerful German or Austrian
princess for his wife. but when she
arrived In Italy the princess's lovely
face. gracious smile and charming
ways conquered everybody. In a lit.
tie while she had won the love and
admiration Of the king and the queen.
while her future subjects adored her.
After the tragic death Of King Hum
bert. King Victor and Queen Elena
moved into the big palace. and con.
tinued. as far ms possible. the simple
life they had followed MS crown prince
and princess. Neither OF them had
any liking for pomp and circumstance
Indeed. II the Italians have any fault
to find with their king. 1t is that he
Is inclined to be stingy. Things are
very different now at tho Capo di
Monte from what they were In the
time OF King Humbert and Queen
Margharite. and the latter's home now
Is far more gorgeous than the royal
palace. Though there Is no lack OF
beautiful furniture. the present king
and queen chose the simplest suites
for their room. The queens boudoir
is adorned by a few simple pictures
and ornaments from her own country.
which she prizes more than all the
valuables In the palace put together.
1t Is the same with their social life.
A certain amount Of entertaining. Of
course. has to be done. In the win
ter. which is the Roman season. about
dozen state dinners and balls are
given with due ceremony. and all the
usual Accomplishments Of flowers In
profusicn. costly plate and music. The
queen outshines everybody with her
radiant beauty. seen at its best in full
evening dress and sparkling Jewels.
But beside these balls. the queen
holds only few receptions for her
intimate friends. Anything in the way
OF gorgeous entertaining is distaste-
ful to both her and her husband.
Nothing pleases her better than to
ride into the country with the elder
children. or II the weather Is not suit.
able for this. to take them all In her
motorcar.
NO OtHcT IOyaI "OlHeT SpeuuS 81
much time with her children during
the day. and she studies them before
anything else. For their sake a plain.
but substantial meal is provided in
the middle OF the day. SO that they
may share 1t with their parents. The
choice of tho menu is the subject Of
much care with her chef every morn
ing after breakfast.
In addition to the practical vir-
tues. Queen Elena is an accomplish.
ed woman In many ways. 1t Is an
open secret that some poems that
used to appear In several French and
Russian reviews over the signature Of
Blue Butterfly were hers. She Ia very
fond Of painting. Every Montenegrln
woman learns to shoot. and King
Nicholas's daughters were taught to
handle rife as we'll as bow and
arrow almost as soon as they could
hold them. When. as Princess Elena
she first came to Naples. she had tar
gets put up in the palace garden
where she and her husband had many
an exciting shooting match. In former
days, too. she was an ardent hunter
but she gave that up when she be-
came a mother. She was the first
queen to ride bicycle.
Princess Yolanda. the eldest daugh.
ter. is the beauty Of the family. She
Is exactly like her mother now and
gives promise Of growing up into an
equally beautiful woman. She has the
same thick. dark hair. lovely com.
plexion and expressive eyes. and the
same gracious charm. Like her
mother, too. she is n thorough tom.
boy. To be dressed up is grief to her.