The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-23
che Bof1le Reading Circle
PART T..
By ALLEN UPWARD.
copyright, 1895, by Allen Upward,l

PART I.
Pardon, NJ. TAmbassadeur, but
here is a piece of thread on the back
of your coat"
We were about to go forth for a
stroll on the boulevards and l had just
helped his excelency on with his over
coat. AS l bent forward to remove
the strand OF white cotton which had
attracted my attention, the ambas-
sador turned his head with a startled
movement. / even fancied that he gave
a slight shiver as / picked off the
thread and cast it away.
"a thousand thanks" he murmured,
mechanically, glancing after the thread
with a strange expression. But he re-
allied that had observed his singu
lar agitation for he Immediately went
on to say:
You ask yourself, perhaps, what 1t
is that has disturbed me so much in
this trivial circumstances? Do me the
justice to believe, Notwithstanding,
that 1 have not been agitated with
out a real -causeH'
II shall be desolated If have per-
mitted myself to display any curios-
ity," / responded.
He cut me short.
II forbid you to make excuses. 1t is
not for nothing that 1 have consented
to feel emotion. 1t is because the SER
vice which you have just rendered me
has caused me to recall a terrible eX-
perience through which | once passed
and the memory of which has never
been able to efface itself from my
mind"
l was in doubt as to what reply to
make and we walked on in silence for
a minute. Then the ambassador re-
sumed speaking in a more familiar
tone:
But | foresee that you will compel
me to explain my illusions. There is,
however, one restriction which i am
compelled to impose on myself. 1t is
on account of the character of the
events which 1 shall relate to you,
some of the actors in which are by no
means without influence at the pres
ent time. Do you constnt to my re-
training from the use of actual
names?"
l gave the required consent with
cheerfulness. The ambassador and 1
understood one another.
1T was not long after the mysterious
affair which l have related to you, in
a
Aziz," began his excellency, "and had
Just been promoted to the rank of
charged 'affaires. In this capacity |
was intrusted 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
of lawlessness and violence are render
ed possible at which more civilized
countries would be dismayed
"At the time of my arrival in the
principality 10 the court of which !
had been accredited, found things in
very disorderly 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
which pursued each other with the bit
teIress of hatred.
This rivalry between the two powers
have named had even extended to the
palace, where the Austrian lnclinations
o. George, the reigning prince Were
counterbalanced by the Russophilt
sympathies of his consort, Catherine, q
princess of Russian extraction.
while | was preparing to walk war.
lily among the pitfalls which surround
ed me, / was surprised one day shortly
after my arrival by a visit from the
Russian minister, Baron Dourenski.
I have come he said, as soon as ht
had taken a seat and exchanged tn,
usual compliments, TO inform you tha
/ am obliged to leave for Russia in two
days time. The business which re
quires my presence is important anC
will perhaps detain me four or fiv,
weeks.
II bowed, and murmured a polite ex
preston of regret at the idea of losin.
the society of the minister for so lon,
a period.
That is not all, however, he pro
ceeded to say. L have at the Legation
no one whom I can trust to take m,
place properly while / am away. Shal
] be trespassing too much on your goo,
nature if ] ask you to take charge O
the interests of Russia for these fey
weeks?'
II was not altogether surprised b!
this request. At these petty court
where there are no experienced secre
taries of legation to act during the alb
sense OF their chletS, IL is not unuSua
for diplomats to undertake these ser
vices for each other. 1t was moreove
a compliment to me to ask me to ac
on behalf of a minister, whose ram
in the diplomatic body is above that o
a charge d'affairs, as you perhap
know"
Yes, a minister ranks next to a
ambassador does he not?" l said, a
his excellency appeared to pause 70
an answer.
Exactly. 1t is only the create
powers which are represented at eac
others courts by amb' odors. AS
have said, Baron DouI Us, propose