The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-01-23
A STROKE FOR
CONFIDENCE.

| INV Mtuistsl, huVy utV ttaCueTOus
and oftentlmcs as ambitious for pow
or az men. Your majesty would d,
well to watch especially your concu
bine Mcna, You are much under hei
influence. She will not hesitate TO rot
you even of your sceptcr II You give
her an opportunity"
what, Menag She Is devoted q
me-"
DO not trust her"
You are good adviser on affairs
of state. but you know nothing Of wo
men, especially this woman. TO show
YOU that she Is true 10 me will pu,
her In my place. You win SOC how
readily she win resign II at my re-
quest"
"your majesty
II have spoken"
The minister knew that to protest
would cost him his head and with.
drew without another word. At tho
kings command the beautiful Menn
came. and the shah said TO her:
"You are my favorite OF all my won.
en-. and know how well you love me,
To show .smy implicit trust In you !
have resolved to resign my scepter 10
YOU. II am not mistaken, you Will
surrender II when call for II. lf !
trust you too well, you may rule 80
long as you live"
Mena gave the sovereign a rcproach
ful look ITO test me Is TO doubt me.
my lord Nevertheless know that
when your royal word has passed no
one is great enough to gainsay It."
So the shah signed an edict resignlng
his power to his concubine, and she
was proclaimed In his stead Mena
was the daughter Of one Of the princl
pal officers OF the army, and the day
after she was proclaimed the com
pandlng general was dismissed and
her father put In his place. The prime
minister would have been spirited
away by Mena's order. but he was no
where to be found The grand cham
berlain OF the palace was sent on for
elgn mission. All the heads OF de-
partments were changed. The ex
shah saw these moves and trembled
Instead of asking for his scepter to be
returned to him he began to make
preparations to save his life by flight
He was too late On the second morn
ing after his abdIcatlon he was arrest
cd by Mena's order and coniined In HIS
private rooms under guard. But this
was not known to his people. who sup
posed their sovereign had gone into
retirement.
Meanwhile Mena instituted several
reforms that had been long wanted by
the ex-shah's subjects, and they were
received with great delight. Deputa
tIons began to pour In, congratulatlng
her on her accession, and within few
days after assuming the royal author
lty she became the most popular SOW
ereign Persia had had for many years
One day 1t came to her ears that tho
prime minister had been discovered IN
the guise OF private citizen aud was
plotting to restore the ex-shah. Mena
sent an order for his arrest.
When she had become so enthroncd
In the hearts Of her people that no enc.
my could displace her. she ordered that
the shah and the prime minister be
brought before her. At their entrance
she was seated on her throne dressed
In her richest robes and decked with
the splendid jewels Of the Persian
monarchs The shah supposed that he
was being brought to her to have his
head stricken off In her presence. but
he walked erect, never once deignine
to look at her. The prime minister, OF.
the contrary, came In with bowed
head
"My lord said Mena to the ex-shah
you were pleased to put me to a
lest, since your minister warned you |
against all women, especially me.
have administered the affairs OF your
kingdom to my best ability. Their,
.annot be two sovereigns. 30 | have de
,rived you Of the power to resume Il
,rown you have voluntarily relin
luished. have established my royaI
authority by placing those devoted tu
ne in positions Of trust and by pleas
ng the people. j have now sent for
vou to know II you are satisfied with
ny acts"
Satisfied" exclaimed the shah bll-
erly. "Was not SO demented as to
esign my crown, trusting to you to
i've 1t back to me when I called for :
t|
"You have not called for It,"
The shah looked puzzled. mot called
or 1t! do SO now. demand my
,ingdom."
Without word Mena descended
rom the throne and, taking the crown
rom her head, placed 1t on that Of the
hah. Then she sank In reverence at
is feet.
The monarch could not believe his
yes.
"Mena." he stammered, what does
bis mean? Can 1t be possible that
fter making yourself absolute mis-.
ress Of my kingdom you have re-
urned 1t to me? why have you done
bis thlnR2v