BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 241, 16 October 1906, Page 5

BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM.

Gustav yon Bohlen und Halbaeh (said an English paper recently) could never by any possibility be considered a for-tune-hunter. He is a most interesting man in a way, and has a most interesting career. His tbirty-six years sit lightly on him. Bertha is only twrntyone, but there is no disparity, as Gustav is young for bis years, and Bertha's head sits heavily on her young shoulders. Great responsibilities and a great sorrow have sobered and toned her to maturity, just as every manly exercise and a free and stainless manhood have kept frusta v young. Yon Bohlen's father was the Baden Minister at the. Hague. Seven years ago he entered the diplomatic, service, and in 1893 was sent as an attache to Washington. From Washington he was transferred to Peking, where he remained till 1903, when he became Prussian Minister at the Vatican. »

From his early adolescence he knew Bertha Krupp. They used to meet at Essen, at The Hague, and at Carlsruhe. Their parents were old friends, and had much in common—e.g., their love of art and Kalian travel. Bertha used to regard him as a big brother, and he was in the ha.bit of interesting her in books and in endeavouring to make her schoolroom tasks lighter. It was not until his return from China in 1903 that he discovered what an interesting girl the little Bertha whom he knew in past years had become. In her childhood she was very plain. She is still far from having any claim to be considered a bea.uty, but she has a strong, sympathetic face, the face of a girl who has thought much, who has come through the fires of affliction, who exercises authority and who is burdened with responsibility. Bertha has fine eyes, blue and clear. They look straight at you and they read your thoughts. Thick masses of fair brown 'hair adorn her head, and it is her habit to bestow elaborate pains on keeping it in perfect order. It cannot bo said that Frauloin Bertha, is a dressy girl. She has a subdued taste in dress, a taste almost Quakerish in its simplicity. In this respect she follows the best traditions of highclass German women. Of course, on ceremonial and State occasions she dresses with elaborate distinction and displays a show of jewels second to none in Europe, but on ordinary occasions and going about her daily rounds of duty a grey walking dress, a simple straw hat, a pair of neat shoes are all that the outside world sees of Fraulein Bertha Krupp, the millionaire. She wears a ring with a tiny diamond in, it, the gift of her father, and in her breast a small gold pin. She might be a neat little village schoolmarm or the daughter of a well-to-do tradesman.