Year: 1878

Genevieve Ward, who will appear at
Booths in this city next month, is in reality
a countess, and one of high degree. This
was how it came about: She studied origin.
ally to be singer, and did appear upon the
operatic stage lin 1851. Then she went
abroad to study. Living quietly in Paris
with her mother, she became acquainted with
Russian count-a real couDt-who belong
ed to an influential and wealthy family. He
was man of accomplishments and fascina-
ting qualities, and when he asked the Ameri-
can girl to be bis wife, he found heart al
ready conquered. They were married quiet
ly at a Roman Catholic church. In some
way or other, by means of chance remark
by some one, she got an inkling on the wed.
ding day that t-the-usarri~ge- would net-be-|e-
gal in Russia unless it was celebrated in a
Russian church. When she asked her hus-
band about it the same day, he met the point
very composedly, admitted that this was true,
but added that there was no Russian church
in Paris; that, as this was merely an addi-
tional and formal ceremony, he had sup
posed that it might be postponed until they
reached Milan, where they proposed going,
and where, be said, there was sco-Greek
church. To this bis bride replied that he
might 20 on to Milan, and she would follow
with her mother; and they could be married
there. The impatient lover chafed at all
this, but the girl was firm about it, though she
does not seem to have begun to suspect him.
He obeyed her, and they journeyed to Milan
by separate trains. After they had arrived,
he appeared with story that the Russian
clergyman was out of town, and an appeal to
her to forego this insistance upon mere for.
mality and set out with him upon their
travels. Then the native shrewdness of the
girl asserted itself over her love for this IT,.
tied rascal She had inquiries made, and dis
covered that the Russian priest was in town,
and likewise, that there was Russian church
in Paris. Evidently, the count had been
lying to her, and with what purpose was too
evident. She confronted him with her knowl-
edge, and he seeing the game was up, disap-
peared.


She returned to Paris, filled with deter
mination to compel this man to grant her
redress She went to the American minister,
and, not finding him in the city, laid her
case, in the innocence of her heart, before his
official representative, Mr.. Dom Piatt. Of
Mr.. Piatt's share in this history it is perhaps
we'll to say as little as possible. 1t will be
sufficient to say that when the prefect of po-
lice demanded Miss Wards papers of him, he
gave them up By this time Miss Ward had
got her mental perspective adjusted, and
knew Just what to do. She set out for ST..
Petersburg with her mother took house
there, and entered the best society Of the cap
ital Their letters gave them the entrance
everywhere; they had plenty of money and
entertained in handsome style; and the New
York girl whose mind was all the while bent
on q campaign of which no one else knew,
was soon the belle of the season. When the
winter was nearly over, when her position as
reigning favorite of St. Petersburg was firmly
established, when no great entertainment was
considered complete without a song from her,
she began operations. Up to this time there
had been no sign of her semi-husband, but
she had ascertained, as soon as she arrived in
Russia, that all that had been said of the pow
er and wealth of his family was true. The
visible proof of it was found in the fact that
his brother was one of the government minis.
ters, and enjoyed the special confidence of
the Car. This only nerved her for the effort
she was to make, the more 80 as this minister
was constant attendant at her receptions, and
acted very much as if he were himselfin love
with her.


She asked, through the American minister,
an opportunity of making statement to the
Car concerning one of his officers. This
was granted, and without giving names she
told her story. The Gar was indignant and
declared that this officer should suffer what.
ever punishment she demanded. He called
in his minister, the brother of the cul prit,
who vowed that such man should not be
allowed to remain in the armies of the Gar
His uniform should be stripped from him.
Then there was dramatic scene when the
Gar asked the name of the offender, and she
gave it. The brother exclaimed, in trans.
port of rage, perhaps of disappointed love
and jealousy, "he shall be hanged" But she
said she would not have indignities put upon
him. She felt herself above revenge; all
that she asked was justice.


A peremptory order was dispatched to the
post at which Count - was stationed, re-
quiring his immediate appearance before the
Gar. He came, of course counts are prompt
when Cars command. He was confronted
with the disclosure, and told by the Gear that
he must comply with the lady's demand,
which was that he fulfill his promise by COM
pleting the marriage ceremony. Now, man.