The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-08
TX.

TT Is with painful feehngs, ana
II only after long consideration, that
H I have resolved to lift the veil
a from the tragic mystery which sur
il rounds the fate of the queen who
persisted under the knives of assassins /
in Belgrade in the month Of June. 1903.
The hesitation I have felt in ap-
preaching this melancholy story is due luz ,
Many years before, when the late queen
of Servia occupied private station, it
was my lot to meet her, and to fall
under the spell of that fascination
which this extraordinary woman pos
sessed over men, and which will cause
Helen and Cleopatra, and all those en-
chantresses who have involved king
doms in ruin by their charms.
/ had no right to suppose that the
countess, as she then was, distinguished
me from the crowd Of those who paid
homage to her; but yet it seems as
tho had in some manner inspired
Her with feeling of confidence and re-
gard warmer than that usually felt by
any woman for man who is neither
her lover nor her kinsman.
believe myself to be the only sur
yivor of the tragedy who possesses the
key to that strange and terrible career,
and that in imparting my knowledge
to the world I am discharging what has
With this apology will come straight
to the history.
It was some years since I had seen
or heard anything Of the Countess
Draga, though, of course, I was aware,
in common with all well-informed stu
dents of contemporary politics, Of the
young king of Servia, when I was as
tonished by receiving one day private
letter from her, imploring me to come
to Belgrade at once to advise her on a
matter Of the highest Importance.
I lost no time in obeying the sum-
mons by which I was singularly moved,
since there is only one thing which
can ever be of the highest Importance
to a woman.
It was in the courtyard garden Of an
old stone-walled Servian house-more
like a fortified farmhouse than a pri-
yate mansion-that the revelation burst
on my ears which was so soon to startle
the capitals of Europe.
a fountain FLASHED into marble
basin strewn with rose leaves, and the
faint scent of myrtle and lemon bios
som came from the curtain of shrubs
which screened the gateway in the
thick gray wall. The beautiful woman
whose name was the object Of maledic-
tions thruout continent, reclined on
lew couch heaped with oriental cush-
Ions. and fixed her dark eyes on me
with tragic intensity Of appeal, as
she confessed her secret.
need the advice Of a disinter-
eshd friend, one who stands apart from
the iintrigues which center round the
Servian throne.'
provided for me, and gazed down at
her, outwardly calm and stern as ever,
but gripping the throttle Of emotions
whose strength mono can know but my
self
"My advice will be disint crested in
care nothing for the plots and con-
epiraeies which, under the name Of
politics, serve as a substitute for the
old brigandage: of the Balkans. But I
am interested in your happiness
The Countess Draga let her eyelids
fall for moment as quick spasm Of
pain crossed her face.
DO not let us speak Of my happi-
ness, she said in low tones. 'sIt is Of
i Alexander I must Think
a folded my arms across my chest,
and said nothing,
sort -
ing the astonishment with which I
heard this piece of news, as yet I'M
suspected by Europe, and for which
my friend Baron Rothschild would
gladly have paid, 100000 francs. =
but twice, but he persists.'' -
Kings ought to marry kings chill
s dren,' [ observed, as she seemed to
wait for some expression Of opinion
4 from me.
Add that boys ought to marry girls
and ana not not g t1n o w9Gmen and you viii
as it hears Of this,V she returned,
with some bitterness. "That is what
have told Alexander; and he has
sworn upon the crucifx in my presence
that he will marry only me.'
Leave servia. Spend year on the
swiftly at me as said this and he
may change his resolution.'' -
The Servian g reply startled me.
cannot. At this moment T am
Il under secret arrest.
Under arrest9' "-.
!" You forget that Alexander has
q made himself master, and that reasons
of state cover great deal in Seryia
which they would not cover II
France.'
I was staggered. A stranger situa
II toni had never encountered in all m,
STRANGE experience.
He holds you a prisoner till yo7
consent to become his queenl"
rected - -
sat still for a minute, considering
The chancelleries and the public O
Europe would never believe this story
They would think, they were alread,
thinking and saying, that the counties
was an adventures, Turing the youn,
king to his ruin.
There is one very simple solution. /,
! said at last. * I will arrange you
escape"
Impossible! she sighed.
sss I frowned.
Pardon me, my dear countess, bu
when you did me the honor to consul
me, / assumed that you had some cor
fdence in my ability. I offer to tax
you wherever you wish to COZ
You misunderstood me, my dea
s. friend. do not doubt your power t
release me. But my flight would be
come public event; Alexander has to
little self-restraint to keep silence abou
It. should thus damage him as muc
by accepting the throne which he offer
s me. He has sworn, moreover, that if
persist in my refusal, he will abdicate.
With what sophistries will o woma
deceive herself where her heart is cor
eerned! And how worse than useles
Is it to reason with her.
| You have told me enough, - I al
swered in a voice which was mela1
choly in spite of myself. st perceiv
that this young monarch is not indi:
The lovely Seryian lowered her olanc