Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-06-08

full manservant of the Karapow family, an OK
soldier, tall, gaunt old Stephen, sat on guard
just beyond the door of my apartments. Then,
as Vladimir came up the stairs, / heard his gentle
protest:
Your Excellency Her Excellency, Madame,
is sleeping. 1t is we'll that we do not disturb
His words were crushed off, in mid-sentence.
Outside on the landing l could hear scuftie
Next fash of silence, most intense Then
horrible, muffled crash, a solitary moan from
below And the slow, unrhythmical steps of my
husband, Flooding along to his suite Terror over
came me- so that rushed into the hall and looked
down.
Far below, sprawled out upon the marble
entrance hall, lay poor old Stephen. Out of his
mouth ran thin red trickle His face, in the
meager light seemed unearthly white /, VINO
had never before seen death knew that he was
dead Killed on the instant, by that terrible fall
And knew il was my husband who had pltched
him over that balustrade, down to the marble
floor below | can't remember how | ever awak-
ened Vladimirs man, Barton, but do remember
what that perfect servant said to me:
Yes. Your Exceency. l will summon your
maid TO assist you. And you may trust this other
matter to my discretion.
How could he be calm, wondered, when that
moor. faithful Stephen had just been done to
death? never knew exactly how everything was
arranged But nothing happened to Vladimir. he
went in the morning, to his duties at court And
when | next walked down that marble staircase
nothing, nothing was there 10 tell OF InaI Huruer
which had been done.
Then again | knew this Russian system was
rotten to the core 1 knew it ought to perish!
Tut this pitiful death seemed to buy me
ID cold and absolute immunity from any further
attentions of my husband.
So the days wore on l began to try to build
myself life After all, had much with which
to build it at least brilliant, worldly life
l had unlimited money and credit.
And. soon also began to give little afternoon
teas small lovely dinners which, am happy to
add Vladimir never attended.
For long time after my marriage l did not
go anywhere with my husband. But towards the
end of our first year together there was pig
Christmas party at Court which etiquette de-
manded | attend with him. Vladimir sent me word
of this by his secretary Would l huy a most
beautiful frock for my entree at court? For
would be presented to her Most Sacred Majesty,
the Czarina l answered politely that would try
to please him with my frock.
Then nv heart beat sickly. For something
had at first refused to believe, something which
sickened and Mortified me, had happened was
almost sure That one occasion when my husband
came that horrible night 1t had lett It's memory.
could hardly believe it. But 1t was true.
was going to be mother. That at last, was rather
evident.
| chose my frock and cape most carefully. 1
took pains about all the details OF my first appear
anCe at Court. IN the AFTERNOON Ihe ldInlly Jew
eler who had been notified what jewels would
wear, came bringing the "parure," in which the
Karapow jewels were kept. l had ordered tiara,
necklace, earrings, bracelets rings and brooch.
The Karapow emeralds! They were a fortune
in themselves those rich, respondent jewels. And
know there were other sets rubies, pearls
and diamonds. All, had l taken only one set of
jewels with me out Of Russia, would have taken
my support through life.
But on that afternoon the jeweler left the
emeralds with a woman employee whose duty it
was to adjust the tiara upon my chestnut gold
head after the hair-dresser had completed my
Court head-dress. Into the couture this hair
dresser had affixed long silver veil which was,
in some way never quite understood, also fast
ened to my tiara. My frock was of silver lame,
without a wastne, which was suited to my con-
dition then. A long train fell from the shoulders
And over all l wore a priceless chnchilla coat
When was dressed 1 realized myself how 1
was covered with cleaning jewels, wrapped in
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