New-York tribune., 1906-05-13

tiret who ruled and harried them. They
celebrated the with noisy but harmless revels
and when Captain Hercules was seen about again Che
submitted TO a fortnight : confinement to barracks
with feelings which thankfulness, though not graft
tude uredomnated), he found his popularity with
them greater than ever But in the higher circles
the INNER rng-ot the party he served his reception
was not 50 cordial Stenovlcs would not see him;
Statnitz him only to express most uncOm-
promising judgment his conduct.
Yielding IN appearance, in point OF substance the
Prince OF Slavna had scored heavily The big guns
were ordered from Germany The Prince had the
money TO pay Tor them, and they were to be con-
signed TO him; these were the guarantees which he
had asked from Stenoyics. When the guns came
and he had agreed TO make extra payment for
carly deliverv-his situation would be very differ
ent With trusty men behind. them, II would 60
hard with him Il he was not master OF Slavna, and
be had already obtained the Kings sanction to
raise and tram force OF artillery from among his
own men kolsenl and It's nelghbOrhoOd. The
men o N0seni proof against Mlsttch 5 Dragging
and the subtle indulgence by which Stafnitz held
his power over the rank and 1e Of the army. They
were true TO the Prince.
The idle Kings family pride was touched; it
was the one thing which could rouse him. At his
son express request, and al that only, he acqui-
e,lrd In the release of Mistitch and his satellite
Ste-k0tT, but be was determined to make his own
attitude clear and 10 do what he could to restore
the prestige Of his family. The Prince said drvly
thai The prestige would profit best of all by the big
guns. the King was minded to supplement their
effect by something more ornate. He created
new Order and made his Grand Master of it.
There was harm IN that, and Stenovics readily
consented hen the King instructed Stenovics to
concentrate all ms energies on the matrimonial ne
gotlatlons. \ splendid marriage Tor the Prince
would enhance and strengthen the family prestige
more than anything else
Stenoyics promised Jealous obedience and with
drew full Of thought The Order was an easy mat
Ter but the marriage was ground much more delicate
Il touched the big stake which Colonel Stafnitz
had So e1nphatically warned the General not to
play on the bad hand dealt 10 him by Mistitch 5
blunderng attack. But with the big guns in posi-
ton and the sturdy men OF Nolsenl behind them,
would z good hand ever Gomez
There were only three IN the inner secret OF the
scheme but they were three OF the longest heads
IL Kravoria. Countess Elenburg d pious
woman and OF exemplary demeanOr but as Markart
told Sorhv ambitious, and she had
borne the King a son. Stenovics saw himself cast
aside like an old glove II Prince SergIus came to the
throne StafnltZ d born usher IN troubled
waters and threw d sklul net. Twice before IN
the countrv's history intrigue had made revolution
and changed the order OF succession III the House
Of Stefanovitch-
The three waited on chance; but the chance was
not vet If the King al ernity with his son,
or If there was a demise OF the crown while the
Prince was not the spot To look after his inter
csts there might lie the opportunity. But now
The King was all cordialty for his heir-apparent,
the Prince was the spot; those guns and those
Nosenian gunners threatened 70 be the spot too,
ere long. II was not now the moment for the big
King Alexis was delighted with his new Order,
and the Grand Masters insignia were very hand
some IN the center OF a fve-pointed star Saint
Michael slew the Dragon symbol, perhaps, OF
CAPTAIN Mistitch The broad ribbon was OF virgin
white, II would show up well against either the
black sheeTskIn OF the Nolsenian tunlc or the
bright blue OF the Princes huSsar uniform. j here
were some day to be 1--WE other knights-WIth a
Grand Master and the sovereign himself the mystic
number seven would be reached-but II would
never be exceeded the Order would be most
select
Al this the King explained in a forid speech,
gleeful with his tow while the serious folk
listened with respectful Difference and secret
g he r-g,--1I -f7~.L. order rflGft -4d al