The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-11
By Iliodor (the Mad MOrle")
CHAPTER III.
CONTINUED from Last Sunday

CONTINUED from Last Sunday
( 1892 Britain Right. Reserved
m HAVE already explained to my readers how the
holy prophet" Gregory Rasputin strengthened
his power over the Czarina, and, through her.
over the Car of all Russia by means of pretended
attacks upon the life of the heir to the throne young
Czarevitch Alexis ] have told how needles, sup
posed to be poisoned, were found in the childs bed
and how the young heir on one occasion became i'll
and on another was kidnapped when Rasputin was
absent from court and out of favor. | also showed
how all suddenly became well again with the young
Czar-to-be as soon as the prophet had returned to
court and been re-estabshed in the good graces of
Empress Alexandra.
Rasputin's entire life at court was guided by one
question-"What shall do.to keep myself always in
power at court ?" He constantly contriving new
strategems to increase his influence with the En-
press Many of these schemes of his were not quite
so transparent his tricks with the infant Gear.
Generally they took the form of some extraordinary
plety, the better to convince the Empress of the
saintliness of Rasputin.
Protestant, Catholic and Jewish readers must
realize that the Greek Orthodox Church of Russia is
peculiar and quite unlike any other sect, and my
self, although high dignitary, have renounced
the Greek Church.
In the early days of his residence in the imperial
palace the thing which laid closest to the Czarinas
heart was whether she would be blessed with a SON
to inherit the throne
What shall do, what shall do, Holy Father"
shall do to have son ?" On such occasions Raspu-
tin always advocated extra piety.
Let fast and pray" he would advise, land,
anon, shall have vision
So Rasputn made use of that excellent quality
suspense.
He quick to understand the nature of the
Empress Alexandria He in her nervous, hys-
terical woman, who turned to religion for comfort.
He saw in her a woman who was devout, even to su-
perstition. Therefore, where the predecessors of
Rasputin, when consulted by the Empress as to an
heir had asked for favors for themselves, Rasputn,
with large show Of sanctty, had always increased
his influence over the Czarina by emphasizing the
great need for fasts and prayers and religious obser
vatons extraordinary.
"He must indeed be a holy man." the Czarina
told all her confdants at court, from Gar Nicholas
to Anna Viroubova, her lady in waiting. Gregory
must be holy man beyond all others. He never
asks anything for hin1sef-he just begs me to pray
to give offerings. At last have found the sane
tilted peasant who the prophecy about our reign
foretold would save al Russia"
AS soon as Rasputin had been installed in the
royal palace he daily gave audiences to his sovereign
to guide her to what she should do to become the
mother of a son. In fact he told re himself once
when he considerably cheered by wine II al
ways had lookout stationed to let me know when
Mamma Alexandra was coming to my oratory. |
would then fall my knees, and she would find me
always earnestly in prayer"
SO it CHANGED one morning very soon after Eac-
putins introduction into the Winter Palace that TIE
Czarina came upon her prophet on his knees.
Has Heaven-have the holy angels--yet told
you how long before an heir shall be born to Rus
sia?" asked the distracted Queen.
Rasputin rose and bent in fatherly tenderness
above the Empress