South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-25

the Vicomte
Leon. to give hin the name by
which he was generally known in
Paris. has been dead for more than
eight years. He was one Of the
most popular men in Paris society,
and there was a time when no hos
tess caring TO give a smart enter
tainment would have dared to neg
rect inviting him. While the balls at
which he condescended TO lead the.
c|otilion were considered to he the
most successful of the season. Then
one day, n suddenly heard that
yicomte. who had never been con
sidered as a marrying man, had
fallen head over ears in love with
the charming Mademoiselle Hem
messy. and that he was about to lead
her 10 the altar. Many tears were
shed when his news became public
among those fair ladies who consid-
cred that they mad some claims on
the affections OF jane. and there
were some among them who de-
clared hat they would boycott his
wife. which they also did
Overcoming Partisan Hostility.
The first year or two that follow
ed upon her marriage the vicom-
tesse had anything but a good time.
she was, however. "A charming crea-
ture. and soon made for herself an
excellent position i'm Partisan So
ciety. thanks to the care which she
took to- propitiate several formidable
dcwagers. whose Judgments We're
considered as law. among others.
old Princess Hedwige de Ligne. be
fore whom trembled the whole Eau
hourg st. German. 1t did not take
long. therefore. before she had re-
couciled most Of Ger adversaries.
perhaps because she managed to
cure her husband OF all his former
-propensities for firtations and trans
formed him into an excellent ''pere
lie famille.' This put a stop TO his
career OF Don Juan and caused him
to be called "unhOmme hni' by the
many women who would have been
but too glad to begin over again
with him the romances for which
ne had become so famous before he
had been transformed into a ben
edict.
Among the ladies who had taken
the marriage Of the Vicomte de
jane most 10 heart was the sister
in-law of the Car Alexander III.
the Grand Duchess Vladimir of
Russia. She was a German prin-
cess by birth, belonging to the ducaI
family OF Mecklenburg Schwerin.
but though she represented at the
court OF St. Petersburg the German
element. she had during her fire.
quent Journeys 10 Paris. fallen un-
der the charm of France and of
French society. where she was al
ways most warmly welcomed. OF
course. the Vicomte de jane had
been presented to her. n she had
often asked him 10 be her partner.
during the many cotilions which she
loved so much to dance. 1t was not
long before ~busybodies began COM
menting upon this intimacy in terms
which were anything but hattering
for the grand duchess and gossip
reached its climax when il became
known that the Nicomte de jane
was going 10 ST. Petersburg. where
he had been invited 10 stay at the
palace or the Grand Duke Vladimir.
This visit caused a nine days Won
der. and the Empress Marie thought
IL her duty TO demonstrate with her
sister-in-law as 10 its Inconvenience.
which Interference did not improve
the already strained relations be-
tween the two ladies. The grand
duchess carried her point and the
Vicomte de jane remained liz the
Russian capital all through a sea
on. when he was seen at all the
smart Entertainments given there,
and even at court balls. where. how
ever. the empress snubbed him as
much as she dared. and where the
czar never addressed "a single word
TO him.
\ Court Scandal.
The fact was that the sovereigns
did not care 10 see their s.ster-in-
law made the subject OF the consid-
cradle amount OF gossip which her
evident preference for the French
nobleman gave rise 20. But at the
same time they did not wish 10 APP
pear as If they knew it,. and the
emperor RETAINED even from speak
ing with his brother on the matter.
which he might easily have done.
The grand duke on his side. was
absolutely Indifferent 10 the sayings
and doings of his wife. whom he
treated more as a bon comrade.
60 use the French expression. than
anything else. and he did not care
IN the least whether she was flirting
with the Vicomte de jane. or with
soEle one else.
There were. however. some peo-
pie who disliked the grand duchess
for her German sympathies. and
they were "a too glad 20 do her a
bad turn whenever they found an
opportunity. So that when the news
of the engagement OF 81 de Jauze
with the charming Mademoiselle
Hennessy reached am enterprisiug
lady ia -. PetersburE. 20 whom one
~ her numerous friends in Paris
had written all about * before the