The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-13
ROMANCE OF A MONARCH.
MARRIAGE OF sERVIA's KING MAY
LEAD TO REVOLUTION.


cesses," lie said. "whcn This Di-
vine Woman Lives at My Door"
Belgrade Dispatch IN New York Journal
Young King Alexander of Servla has as
tonished Europe and thrown his coun ry
into commissions by mis- marriage to Nine
more like a romance of the Middle Ages
than of this prosaic modern world. II is
"A Prisoner OF Zenda" story in real life.
II should be remembered that the An
thony Hope romances are laid In this quar-
ter of the world. The Middle Ages, III
truth, still linger in the Balkans.
Every exciting and picturesque element
of romance enters into the courtship of
King Alexander. The heroine is poor and
beautiful, while her lover is a king, young
and chYalrous. He has assembled his
whole army and told them that he would
marry the woman of his heart in spite of
all opposition. He has placed a guard of
faithful followers around his sweetheart's
house to prevent her dastardly enemies
from seizing her and carrying her away to
some secret dungeon In the Carpathian
mountains. He has given orders TO seize
ms rather, eX-King Milan, If the latter at
tempts 20 cross the frontier
All this happened on top of a brief career
that has been the most exciting and tur-
bulent in Europe,
When he was a baby Alexander was
alternately kidnapped by his wicked
"a ther and his beautiful mother. At IA he
was accustomed TO throw grown men out
. = l.
MS regents out of the palace and took the
government into his own hands. Al 10 he
was wrecking homes. AT 81 he was drink
ing himself to death AT "a he has for
saken alcohol and devoted himself to ro-
nance.
Tnere are many reasons why King Alex
ahder should marry, but these strangely
enough, are also reasons why he should
not marry Nine. Draga Maschln. The
throne OF Servia is not by any means Sc
curely IKEA 1t would require but a lit
We agitation to topple IL over Now. If
the King were respectable married man
with wife belonging TO a dignified royai
family and with children of his own, the
throne would be infinitely more secure
than IT is now
Unfortunately. Nine Maschin is not n
Wife who would give this stability. She
is OF spottess reputation but not of high
pirth, and has many enemies in Servia
A great many families of higher rank
than her own feel offended because she
was raised above them. A foreign wife
of royal birth is considered necessary for
the throne of Servia.
About year ago King Alexander start
ed out In search of a wife. He visited all
the courts OF Europe. His experiences
were highly discouraging. He saw the
King of the Belgians and was coldly but
politely informed that he need not look
for wife there. He went 20 Berlin, bun
The Emperor made Il clear to him that
he was not desired as member of the
Hohenzollern family He would have gone
TO ST. Petersburg. but the Gear kindly in
timated to him that he would save him
self a great deal of trouble by staying
away
Then he tried the court Of Vienna He
felt that the Emperor of Austria. having
such deep political interest in Servia
ought TO do something for him. The En-
peror has so many relatives that the King
thought he could spare a Princess from
them. The Emperor however had been
so thoroughly shocked by the young
mans previous career that he would have
nothing 10 do with him
The Servians at one time announced thar
an engagement had been arranged he
tween the Archduche~s Christine daugh-
ter Of the Archduke Frederick of Austria
and the King of Servia This was denied
with such energy and promptness in vi
emma as 10 leave no doubt Of the Empe-
rors feelings toward Alexander
The King even attempted to secure
rich American bride, but his efforts In
this direction were as futile as they had
been everywhere else.
Thus the unfortunate King had 10 re-
turn to Servia without a wife He was
rejected and disgrsced. He had sown a
good many wild oats between the age Of
IA and q. but that was not the only rea-
son for rejecting him His throne is very
insecure and his family history has been
disgraceful. King so delicately situated
ought to be on his good behavior.
Alexander was in despair and he found
consolation. Living In Belgrade was n
young widow who he'd formerly been a
Ia dytn- waiting to his mother, Queen Ma
thalie. This was Nine. Draga Maschin
She is very beautiful Her features have
a purity of outline that Is classically
Greek. Her hair Is black and her skin
Is as white as alabsster. Her eyes are
a deep dark violet. Her figure is superb
Nine. Msschin was the daughter of A
minor official. and was married early IN
life TO an engineer, who has since died
Her life has been unhappy Beautiful
women are always unhappy. 1t was her
beauty that caused Queen Nathalie to
choose her as a lady-in-waiting and an or
nament to her court
The young King after his return from his
Ruthless quest of royal wife, was riding
sadly along country road near the
royal castle when he caught sight OF the
beautiful Nine. Maschin She electrified
him. He had known her before. when
his mother lived at the court but he had
never realized how beautiful she was.
why do I waste my time uselessIv
counting homely princesses," he asked
when this divine woman lives at INV
door,"
From that moment he fell head over
heels in love with her. He spent all his
time in attendance upon her He show
cred her with gifts He gave her many
OF the crown jewels of Servia. At first his
ministers and courtiers thought that this
was only another OF his passing caprices
but they were mistaken.
The Kings disposition changed alto
gether. Formerly morose and misera Die.
he now became bright and happy. HI.
dull eye grew bright and his bloated sal
low cheeks resumed the hue OF health.
Suddenly as thunderbolt he announc
ca that he would marry Nine. Maschin
On July % he caused II to be published
in the Official Gazette. IL ia's a storm
In the country. The cabinet ministers pro
tested Violently. They tod the King the
consequences Of his act might ruin the
dynasty
II am the King" Alexander proudlv
said, land i can marry whom please
Attend to your duties and do not NEEDLE