The Washington times., 1920-10-31
By the Countess Floria de Mart;n,prey


Copyright 1920 by international Feature Service, Ine)
y BELIEVE that came into the world equipped with
Unsuitable thirst for social splendor excitement
and adventure such possesses many American
girls in more less degree
Nashville, Tennessee, was my birthplace belong to
very old Southern family of statesmen, soldiers and
planters-the Drouillards One of my ancestors my
mothers side James Knox Polk of Tennessee eleventh
President Of the United States.
We were not wealthy, a result need hardly say Of
the Civil War. We lived comfortably in an old tumble
down white Colonial mansion with rambling porticoed
veranda Poor old Nashville had little to offer me- and
We were too poor to attempt New York.
There just chance of the social glory Of which
dreamed That was in Europe. My aunt Miss Antoi-
nette Polk granddaughter Of Bishop Polk had long been
settled there and had achieved wonderfully brilliant
position. Owing to unsettled conditions in the South
following the Civil War, she had gone to Italy
child, with no intention Of returning.
Asa young girl she married General Baron de Charee
of the greatest heroes of the French arstocracy and
Ut one time commander Of the Popes famous Zouaves
Aunt Antonete invited to visit her in France and
stay as long liked was in fact to finish my educa
tion there and make my social debut in worthy
ot our family traditions.
felt that my widest dreams were coming true. My
dear mother guessed what was in my mind, and will
ing to help my ambitions to the best of her ability
And SO l sailed across the ocean to the land Of my
dreams. Twas to and live all that had dreamed, and
Since then have drunk the cup of life to the full
have known the most powerful the most fascinating the
most delightful the crueest the wickedest the
rupt the most brilliant and in European high
society
Ihave gambled and drunk vodka with reckless Russian
Grand Dukes by the rayishng mdwnter shores Of the
blue Mediterranean have enjoyed the intimate conf
dence Of that prince of sporsmen, that supreme bon
vivant," King Edward VII, such degree that even
high society protested have explored the harems Of
Sultans and Pashas, and with difficulty been rescued
from the clutches of one Of the harem lords
But will speak of these phases of my life later had
first be launched in society The first place in France
OF which have any clear recollection is Cannes that
peerless Winter resort by the Mediterranean Here my
Aunt Antonette and my uncle, the General Baron de
Charette had beautiful villa 1t was called the Villa
Eucalyptus account Of the grove Of eucalyptus trees
which led up to it. Here provided with very ac-
compished French and English governesses and trained
to be an ornament Of the highest society
can hardly find words to describe the distinction and
picturesque character Of my uncle old Baron de Charette
He most wonderful mixture Of arsocratc prejudice
simplicity, bravery, chivalry and old fashioned pety The
fact Of possessing villa Cannes brought him contact
with the post reckless and extravagant elements Of
Europsan royalty associations left him absolutely
unsued.
Ny uncle brought his Zouaves back to France in 1870