The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-24


We were about to go forth for stroll
en- the boulevards and had just hslped
his excellency on with his overcoat. As
bent forward to remove the straAd OF
white cotton which had attracted Kay at
tention, the ambassador turn.,d his
head with startled movement. / even
fancied that he gave slight sh.ver as
picked of the thread and cast IL away.
"a thousand thanks" he mrrmured.
mechanically. glancing after tie thread
vith a strange expression. Bat he re-
allied that / had observed his singular
agitation, for he Immediately went on
TO say:
"You ask yourself, perhaps, what it
IS that has disturbed me so much in
this trivial circumstance? DO me the
Justice 10 believe, Notwithstanding that
have not been agitated without real
cause."
Il shall be desoiatcd If ] have per-
;ttc,f myself to display any curiosity
responded.
lie cut me short.
81 forbid you 70 make excuses. 1t IS
-: for ncthiEg th II have consented to
'fscl emotion. II il because the service
Ahich YOU have Just rendered me has
,aused me TO recall terrible experience
through which / once passed, and the
memory OF which has never been able to
ciraee itself from my mind"
was in doubt rs To what reply 10
make, and we walked on in silence for
minute. Then the Ambassador resumed,
l.. "a
"But | foresee that you will compel
me to explain NY illusions. There is,
however, one restriction which / am
compelled TO impose on myself. 1t is on
account OF the character of the events
which shall relate to you, some of the
actors in which are by no means with
out influence at the present time. Do
you consent 10 my refraining from the
use of actual names?"
l gave the required consent with
cheerfuness. The ambassador and 1
understood one another.
''It was not long after the mysterious
affair which ! have related TO you, in
connection with the death of Abdul
Aziz," began his excellency, "and / had
Just been promoted to the rank OF
charge-d'afTaires. In this capacity was
intiusted with the French mission To
the court of one of those barbarous
principalities in the southeast of Eu-
rope, which have hardly yet recovered
from their centuries of vassalage to the
Turks. In these unsettled societies acts
2 OF lawlessness and violence are rendered
possible at which more civilized coun-
tries would be dismayed.
AT the time of my arrival in the
principality to the court of which had
been accredited, i found things in a
very disordered condition. AS is al
ways the case in these petty states in
the region of the Danube, Russia and
Austria were intriguing for the pre-
dominance, and the whole population
was rent into factions accordingly,
s which pursued each other with the Bit
terest hatred.
This rivalry between the two powers
have named had even extended TO the
palace, where the Austrian inclinations
of George. the reigning prince, were
couieerbalanced by the Russophne
sympathies of his consort, Catherine,
q princess of Russian extraction.
"While was preparing TO walk warily
among the pitfalls which surrounded
mS Twas surprised one day shortly after
my arrival by visit from the Russian
minister. Baron Dourenski.
"T have come,' he said, as soon as he
had taken seat and exchanged the
usual compliments, ito inform you that
j am obliged to leave for Russia I'm two
DAYS time. The business which re-
quires my presence is important, and
will perhaps detain me four or five
weeks
II bowed. and murmured polite ex-
preston of regret at the idea of losing
the society of the minister for so long
. period.
"'That is not all, however, he pro-
ceeded TO say. Il have at the legation
no one whom / can trust to take my
place properly while am away. Shall
be trespassing too much on your good
nature, if ask you to take charge of
the interests of Russia for these few
weeks?'
II was not altogether surprised by
this request. At these petty courts
where there are no experienced secre-
taries of legation to act during the alb.
sence of their chiefs, IL is not unusual
Tor diplomats 10 undertake these
services for each other. IL was more.
over compliment to me TO ask me to
act on behalf of minister, whose rank
In the diplomatic body is above that of
a charge daffairs, as you perhaps
know"
"Yes, a minister ranks next 20 nm am
bassador, does he not?" / said, as his
exceliency appeared to pause fer an
answer.
Exactly. II is only the greater pow
ers which are represented at each Others
courts by ambassadors. AS have said
Baron Dourenslki's proposal was natural
aud even gratifying. Nevertheless |
did not at once give my consent.
i nm too much bonored by the con.
fdence you place In me- said: but