Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-06-02
l ]Cl':'a'ptee~ S lwentynine

relief. although of kind more con
 genial to the cynic than the admirel
 of humanity, from the tragedy of
 love in Volseni to the comedy of poli
 tics which began to develop itself in
 Slavna from the hour of the proclama,
 tion of young Alexis.
 The first result of this suspicious
 event, following so closely on the issue
 of Captain Aiistitchs expedition, was
 to give all the diplomatists bad colds.
 Some took to their beds, others went
 for change of air, but one and all had
 such colds as would certainly prevent
 them from accepting royal invitations
 or being present at state functions.
 Young Alexis had cold, too, and was
 consequently unable to issue royal in-
 vitations or take his part in state func-
 tions Countess Ellenburg was even
 more affected-she had lumbago-and
 even General Stenovics was advised to
 keep quite quiet for few days.
 Only Colonel Stafnitz's health seem
 cd proof against the prevailing cpl
 demic. He was constantly to be seen
 about, very busy at the barracks, very
 busy at Suleiman's tower, very gay and
 cheerful on the terrace of the Hotel de
 Paris, but then he, of course had been in no way responsible for recent events.
 He was soldier and had only obeyed orders. Naturally his health was less affected. He was, in fact, in very good temper except when he touched on poor Captain Hercules blundering, violent
 ways. "Not the man for a delicate mission" he said decisively to Captain Markart The captain forbore to re- mind him how it was that Mistitch had been sent on one. The way in which the colonel expressed his opinion made 1t clear that such a reminder would not be welcome.
 The coterie which had engineered the revolution was set at si1eS and Sevens by its success. The destruction of their common enemy was also the removal of their common interest. Sophy at Volseni did not seem peril real enough or near enough to bind them together Countess Ellenburg wanted to be re- gent. Stenoyics was for council, with himself in the chair. Stafnitz thought himself the obvious man to be com mandant of Slavpa. Stenovics would have agreed-only it was necessary to keep an eye on Volseni. Now, if he were to be commandant, while the colonel took the field with small. but p.eked, force. The colonel screwed up kts mouth at that Make Praslok your headquarters and you'll sCou bring the sheepsklns to their senses" Stenovics advised insidiously. Stafnitz preferred headquarters at Suleiman's tower! He was not sure that coming back from Praslok with small force, however picked. would be quite as easy as go- ing there
 In the back of both mems minds there was bit of news which had just come to hand. The big guns had been de- livered a.d were on their way to Slav- na. coming down the Krath in barges. They were consigned to the command ant. Who was that important officer now to be?
 When thieves fall out honest men come by their own. The venerable say ing involves one postulate-that there shall be honest men to do it. In high places in Slavna this seemed to be a difficulty. and 1t is not so certain that Kravonla's two great neighbors to east and west quite filled the gap. These powers were exchanging views now. They were nightly shocked at the way Kravonia had been going on. Their ministers had worse colds than any of the other ministers, and their press had a great deal to say about civilization and such like topics. Kra- vonia was a rich country. and its geo. graphical position was important The history of the world seems to show that the standard of civilization and morality demanded of a country de bends largely on it's richness and the importance of it's geographical position.
 The neighbor on the west had plenty of mountains. but wanted some fertile plains. The neighbor on the east had fertile plains adjacent to the Kravonian frontier and would like to hold the lire as a protection to them. A farseeing statesman would have dis cerned how important correct behavior was to the interests of KravOnia. The great neighbOrs began to move in the matter. but they moved slowly. They he'd to see that their own keen sense of was not opposed to the keen Eense of morality Of other great na- tons. The right to feel specially out ragged is a matter for diplomatic nego- tiations. often. no doubt. of great deli i cacy.
 So fin the meantime Slavna was left to its own devices for little longer to amuse itself in it's light hearted. un- extremely unconscientious way. and to frovn and shake a distant ist at grim. gray. sad little volseni in the hills With the stern and faithful land vho n,ourueyf the dead prince nei- her Stenovics nor Stafnitz seemed for he moment inclined to try conclusions. tbouzh each would have been glad to See Ihe otheT undertake the enterprise. Tn 1iiitnry regard. moreover. they were .irht. The obvious thing. if Sophv still ..@sd ouf. vss to wait for the biz guns T-hez ere these -ssTs in position the ,ld hsffianants cf Volseni could stand iesrCply Eg7-er than the walls Of Isrf- In And tlse =11s wee at the head f navigation o1 the Erath now. wait n- fc1 su esee-r e conv0v them to slavuz. Eaz ~-1 H7IIb-anLt-tno fr- lzziEcaat a reraru tn faaI called uss1a