Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 April 1910 — CZAR'S EARLY LOVE. [ARTICLE]

CZAR'S EARLY LOVE.

After Stormy Scene In fat net lon for Benntifnl Jewess Broken Olf. A story of the Czar’s early life, which has long been known to certain members of the Russian court, has recently been published. It is the history of a love affair of his youth from which it is said he never really recovered and for the breaking of which he has never altogether forgiven his mother. The girl concerned In the story was of Jewish descent and the daughter of a government contractor, a New York Sun correspondent says. Her name was Rajssa Kagan. At the age of 17 she was celebrated as a beauty and courted by some of the highest In the land, including the Grand Duke Paul; uncle of the present Czar Nicholas. The Grand Duke on one occasion took bis nephew to one of the lady’s receptions, and no sooner did the lad see her than he fell violently In love with her. She reciprocated the sentiment and that same evening they met by appointment in the conservatory of her father’s house and he declared hjs passion and swore he never would mkiry.anyone else. At about this time Marie Feodorovna, the Empress, was try jpg to get a suitable bride for thdr future Czar, aid of the match, saying his troth already was plighted. A stormy interview bemediately dropped the conductor and hi# daughter would be sent U> Siberia in exile.' | £ Ji tt K When pews of what had happened reached the young Jewess she made a desperate attempt to commit suicide, but was saved'. Hearing of this, the young man hurried to her house and a heartrending scene ensued, the girl again attempting to kill herself. After another violent quarrel with the Czar

Prince Nicholas finally agreed to travel for a year on the condition that during his absence no steps should Be taken In the matter of his love affair. Scarcely had he left Russia, hoUever, when a compact was entered into through the management of the Empress by which the contractor agreed to marry his daughter to a certain state official of importance, and when the unhappy Prince returned the wedding had taken place. His marriage with Princess Alice was celebrated some little time afterward.