The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-09-08
BY Nadina slavianska.

ga
Paris.-Three a. m, at Constantinople. A knock
at my door. In the name of the Most Sublime
Master, OPEN h
jumped out Of bed to receive the Sultan's
cnief-eunuch a negro round as barrel, covered
with gold from head to foot, who brought an i'm
perial command to "Nadina Slavianska, Russian
subject" to appear next afternoon at sharp at
the gates of Jildis-Kiosk to sing before His Ma
jesty.
Here Is a list Of the members of your company
including the chorus, which the chief of police
furnished to the palace. Look It over and see
whether, or not, 1t Is correct" ordered the ennis
Sary.
All my girls, As in number were visited by Sc
cret service men between the hour named and s,
and commanded to hold themselves at my disposal
and not to communicate with anyone until after
the performance at the palace
"You are now under police surveillance" they
were told 1.-THE door of your room Is watched
and so are the windows The president of police
sincerely hopes that you will give him no occasion
for punishment" aN
At Z o'clock sharp the girls were informed that
cabs were waiting for them and that they must
drive at once to the manageress and remain until
the hour OF our departure for the palace. Some
OF the girls were terribly frightened but per-
suaded them that the Sultan's bite was not as bad
as his bark and by promising each proportionate
share OF the very high fee expected, succeeded in
restoring their spirits.
At sharp, twelve imperial coaches splendidy
horsed and ACQUIRED and two baggage wagons
drove up at my hotel, and the chief eunuch once
more appeared to invite me to seat in the first
carriage. The caravan made long detour, then
BROKE up each driver taking different route to
the palace, this being part of the elaborate precau.
tions to guard against conspiracy. We met again
at the grand gate OF Jilds. There two inspectors
for each member Of the company assisted us, men
OF all languages, extremely polite and with elabo
rate stiettoes and revolvers In their belt At last
signal from the chief: Let them pass" We
drove on, but for Ave minutes only. When we
stopped, the grO0ms jumped down and imperial
guardsmen, armed to the teeth, seated themselves
next to the coachman.
We proceeded very slowly after that but finally
landed at the so-called European wing" of the
palace. On the way there we must have passed
at least 5000 soldiers, secret service men, gem
darmes and guards. They were everywhere In
the tree tops, drilling, marching lying In ambush
AT the door Of the pavilion the Sultan's master
of ceremony received me in state. He conducted
me to splendidly furnished apartment, my dress
Ing room Each five girls were allotted similar
apartment and a delicious lunch and bottle of
champagne were provided for all. had the time
of my life collecting the bottles for future use II
my company had ate and drank what the Sultan
provided there would have been no performance
The master OF ceremony was much pleased when
reported at 8: that we were ready. He offered
me his arm and we walked through the beautiful
park to the stage door-between the rows of SOL
diers. Other soldiers preceded, followed and
walked at the side OF us-surely Abdul Hamid did
not take the ghost Of a chance.
The stage OF the Sultan's playhouse Is no larger
than that OF Madison Square Theater New York
but extensive enough for 80 soldiers to occupy
the wings and rear each holding dagger in
hand.
"The daggers are poisoned explained the mas