The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-21

ace of Belgrade and the dynasty Of the Obrenovitch was extinct forever.
 Draga was at Biarritz with Queen Ma talie when King Alexander first saw her. That was seven years ago; he was r and
 she was well Into her 30s, a widow and an experienced woman of the world. of
 whom the gossips had much to say. When he entered the room to greet his mother he encountered the flashing dark eyes Of the fascinating lady-in-waiting staring moldly and steadily at him. He saw nothing in the room but those eyes, paid attention to no one but Draga, and upon that day he became her willing slave forever after.
 When she returned to Belgrade from Biarritz a few months later her power over the boy king was already recognized. Queen Natalie allowed it, mindful of Russia. Milan fostered 1t, delighted at the prospect of knowing his sons move, ments through such a trusty source and influencing his mind for Austria. And Mme Maschin quietly and skillfully ma neuvered, not for Natalie or Milan, neth- CT for Russia nor Servia. but always for herself
 In less than year her hand was shown in Alexander's coup d'etat He had not yet attained his majority and his king 0oHl was governed DY InTeE regents. These dignitaries were feasting one night with him when the room was suddenly barricaded, the king announced that the authority of the regents was epded, and they were kept prisoners until he had been formally proclaimed before the 1 army. After that no one dared ignore the existence of Draga Maschn In political affairs.
 Alexander established Draga in palace which was as splendid as any in Belgrade. There the court fiocked for gayety, there the Russian and Austrian diplomats held secret conferences in turn, each trying to pay more than the other There the king often mingled with the guests, speaking to no one but Draga, dancing all the evening with no one but Draga, throwing confetti to no one else, and frowning darkly upon any one who at tempted a word with her.
 The court did not wonder at her sway over the king who had inherited the vices of his father and the weaknesses of his mother without the military bra very of the former or the personal good ness of the latter, Mmme Maschin was never counted a beauty; she was dark enough to be almost swarthy, and in repose her face was cunning and treach- erous. But her fascination could not be doubted: she was a bewitching tallser and while talking became a beauty. She
  formed. of the oriental type, with masses of soft black hair and liquid eyes full of subtle fiattery. Before she essayed the role of queen she was frequently seen in
 the Paris salons, where she was known
 for her perfect taste in etiquette as well as for her wit and social diplomacy.
 The Servian people and court wanted
 their king to marry After his mother and father had unsuccessfuIly begged the a
 were willing for him to marry common CT. But they never thought of his marry ing Mime. Maschin-they would have op- posed that. Alexander, however, did not consult them, nor even his own minis ters or his councils of state. One fine
 morning in July, 1900, the people of Bel grade aWoke to discover that the kings | second coup d'etat had taken place dur
 ing the night. Upon the walls of the city was long proclamation signed by the royal hand In which he made known his betrothal to Draga Maschin, daugh- ter of the Servian people, whose home would be pattern to all Servian homes.
 and who would bring happiness to the country, as did the wife of his grand- father. also from the people.
 Absolutely no Servian official seems to
 have known of the proclamation before hand. The capital was in turmoil of excitement, cabinet ministers gathered in agitated meeting the council of state as- sembled to declare against the proposed marriages; the president of the slxupsh- tina and the metropolitan, the head of the Servian church, went down upon their knees before the king and begged him to be wise. There were threats among the people. and Mime. Draga's house had to be carefully guarded The king Ignored all entreaties, and drove boldly through the streets every day in an open carriage with his future queen by his side. Finally Alexander and Draga were mar ried. and from that day Servia's woes began.
 Queen Draga might have made her hold on the Servian throne secure had she presented King Alexander with a son. Alexander was the last of the Obreno- witch dynasty. The only hope of the na-
 ton was In Queen Draga. Realizing her failure, she sought by a subterfuge, com
 mon enough in cheap fiction, to deceive
 the Servians by presenting as her own a child of unknown parentage.
 This was in May, 1892. Queen Draga's physician, Dr. Caulct, announced that Servia might expect an heir to the trone. The announcement was made in the off, cial gazette and celebrated by an Hum nation of the capital and parade of the troops Tn Belgrade. The czar telegraphed his congratulations and promised to act
 es godfather.
 As time passed 1t gradually dawned
 upon the minds of the Servians that the report of the queens condition was pre- mature. Then suspicious were aroused. and the fraud was exposed by the czar, who demanded an official investigation. The Russian minister at Belgrade in- formed the czar that the queens physl- clan had been mistaken Dr. Cantacu- gene, the famous Roumanian specialist, was sent by the czar to continue the in- vestigation. His report convinced the Servian people that Queen Draga had