New-York tribune., 1906-06-24
CHAPTER Xxx.
They Have Colds in Slavna

TT is permissible to turn with some relief-al-
i though of a kind more Congenal to the cynic
than to an admirer of humanty-from the tragedy
OF love in Nolsen to the comedy of politics which
began to develop itself in Savna from the hour of
the proclamation of young Alexis. The first
suit OF this suspicious event, following closely
the issue of Captain MiStitch'S expedition, was
give all the dlplOmatlsts bad colds. Some took to
their beds, Others went for change of air; but
and all had such colds would certainly pre-
vent them from accepting royal invitations or
being present at State functions Young Alexis
had cold too and consequently unable to
issue royal invitations or take his part in State
functions. Countess Ellenburg was even more
atfected-she had lumbago- General
Stenovcs was advised to keep quiet for a few days.
Only Colonel StanitZS health seemed proof
against the prevailing epidemic. He constantly
to be seen about, busy at the barracks, busy at
of the Hotel de Paris. But then he of course had
been IN no way responsible for recent events. He
a soldier and had only obeyed orders; naturally
his health less affected. He was, in fact in
good spirits, and in very good temper except when
he touched on poor Captain Hercuess bundering
violent ways. " Not the man for delicate mission" "
he said decisively to Captain Markart. The Captain
forebore to remind him that it Mstitch who had
been sent The way in which the Colonel
expressed his opinion made it clear that such a
reminder would not be welcome.
The coterie which had engineered the revolu-
ton set at SKIES and by its success
The destruction of their common enemy also
the removal of their common interest. Sophy at
NolSeni did not seem peril real enough
enough to bind them together. Countess Ellenburg
wanted to be Regent StenOvics was for a Council
with himself in the chair Stafnitz thought him
self the obvious man to be Commandant OF Slavna:
Stenovlcs would have agrced-only it was necessary
to keep eye No>cni. Now, if he was to be
COmmandant, while the Colonel took the field with
a small but picked force! The Colonel screwed up
his mouth at that. Make Praslok your head
quarters, and you'll soon bring the Sheepskins to
their senses StenOviCs advised insdiouSly. Stat
NIT preferred headquarters in Sulcman's Tower.
lie was not sure that coming back from Ira3loll
with a small force however picked, would be easy
going there.
In the back of both mems minds there was bit
OF news which had just come to hand. The big
guns had been delivered and their way to
Savna coming down the krath in a couple of
bargeS. They were consigned to the Commandant.
Who was that important officer now to be?
When thieves tall out, honest men come by their
own. The venerable saying involves one postuatc:
that there shall be honest to do it. In high
places in SlaVna this seemed to be difficulty and
1t IS not so certain that kraVonia S great neigh
bors to cast and west entirely filled the gap. Thee
Powers were exchanging views They
nightly shocked at the way kraVona had been
going on. Their ministers had colds than
any OF the other ministers. and their press had
great deal to say about civilization and such topics.
Kravonia was rich country, and its geograph-
ical position important. The history of the
world seems to show that the standard of civiza-