The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-11-12
E#1 1Ch~pter
| IL Twenty-nine

l9 u HN1Z-s
TT is permissible to turn with some
relief. although Of kind more con-
genial to the cynic than the admirer
Of humanity, from the tragedy Of
love in volseni to the comedy Of poll
tics which began to develop itself In
Slavna from the hour OF the proclama-
ton of young Alexis.
The first result OF this auspicious
event. following SO closely on the issue
Of Captain Mistitch's expedition, was
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
ed proof against the prevailing cpl
demic lie was constantly to be seen
about, very busy at the barracks. very
busy at Suleimsn'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. mot the man for a delicate
mission" he said decisively to Captain
Narkart. The captain forbore to re-
mind him how 1t 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 skies 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 Stenovics was for council. with
himself In the chair Stafnitz thought
himself the obvious man TO be COM
mandant Of slavna. stepSvics would
have agreed-only It was Necessary to
keep an eye on volseni! Now. II he
were to be commandant, while the
colonel took the field with small. but
picked. forcel The colonel screwed up
his mouth at that. Make Praslok your
headquarters and you'll soon bring the
sheepskins to their Senses" Stenovics
advised insidiously. Stafnitz preferred
headquarters at Suleiman's tower! He
was not sure that coming back from
Praslok with a 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 and were on their way to Slav
ma. 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 mer
come by their own. The venerable say
ing involves one postulate-that there
shall be honest men to do It. In higt
places in Slavna this seemed to be {
difficulty. and II is not so certain tina
Kravonia's two great neighbors to eas
and west quite filled the gap. These
| pnrarO vuara awohoporin0 yfaua NOW
They were nightly shocked at thu
way Kravonia had been going on
Their ministers had worse colds thar
any of the other ministers, and thei
press had a great deal to say abou
civilization and such like topics. Kra
vonia was rich country, and its geo
graphical position was important. TIL,
history OF the world seems TO shov
that the standard OF civilization ant
morality demanded OF a country de
pends largely on its richness and tn
Importance ofits geographical position
The neighbor on the west had pleRt
of mountains, but wanted some fertil
plains. The neighbor on the east ha
fertile plains adjacent to the Kravonial
frontier and would like to hold tn
mountain line as protection TO then
A farseelng statesman would have dis
cerned how important correct behayio
was to the interests OF Kravonia! Tn
great neighbors began TO move IN th
matter. but they moved slowly. The
had to see that their own keen sense G
morality was not opposed to the kee
sense OF morality of other great nj
tons. The right to feel specially ou