Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-28

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CHAPTER ~. M R "A
In the White City Q.NN41 SESSM
ALEC was sound asleep when W"1
~ the Orient Express rumbled M MKA wv
Z = over the Danube for the last IAMsR
time during its slow run to the I'M
Near East. He was aroused by w.
official examining passports, Which
he informed would be restored in the railway
station at Delgratz He disliked the implied subter-
fuge; but it could not be helped Austria gracious to
travellers within her bounds excerpts those who mean
to her southeastern frontier There she frowns
and inquiries. If it was known that belgrade was
in the train, he would have been stopped for days,
pestered by officialdom, and possibly deported.
A curious element of safety was, however, revealed
by newspapers purchased at Budapest. The various
factions in Delgratz had declared truce The Del
grado partizans had telegraphed invitation to
Prince Michael to come and occupy the throne and
the Prince wiser person. had sent gracious
reply stating that his matured decision would reach
Kosnovia in due course. The National Assembly
still coquetting with the republican idea; but,
in the same BREATH avowed its patriotic mpartality
In word Delgratz wanted peace. Toward that end,
the Seventh Regiment continued to occupy the Black
Castle the remainder of the troops stood fast and
the citizens pulled down their barbados.
Oddly enough, the Paris correspondent of The
Budapest Gazette pointed out that Prince Michaels
playing polo in the Bots during the afternoon
of Tuesday. The journalist little dreamed that Alec
reading his sarcastic comments on the belgrade
lack of initiative at Budapest at midnight on We'd
nesday.
THE train was about to cross the River Tave del
gratz stands on the junction of that stream and
the Danube) when Stampoff appeared. The Al
banian servant accompanied him.
Leave everything to Bosko," said the General.
We must display no haste, and he will smooth the
way through the customs
l suppose you don't want me to ask any ques-
tions?" laughed Alec.
Better not. Do you still adhere to your program
of last night"
absolutely"
Stampof took off his hat pointed through the
window, and said quietly, There, then God willing,
is your Majestys future capital l wish to congratu-
late your Majesty your first sight of it..
Beyond level stretch of meadowand rose the
spires and domes and minarets of white city. The
not long risen gilded its graceful contours and
threw the rest of wondrous picture into shadow
sharp that the whole exquisite vista might have been
ntaglio cut in the sapphire of the sky The Danube,
broad streak of silver blended with the blue Tave
to frame glimpse of fairyland. For thrilling
moment Alec forgot its bloodstained history and
looked only the fair domain spread before his eyes.
Then the black Orders and crude latticework of
bridge shut out the enhancing spectacle and he
conscious that Stampof had caught his hand and
was pressing it to his lips.
patriot to the but his nlpulsive action grated
Perhaps it was better Alec bred in society that
treated such demonstrations with scant respect was
suddenly recalled to earth and the business that lay
before him seemed to be more in keeping with the
modern directness of the railway bridge than with
day dreams founded on picturesque vision of Del
gratz.
The city, too, lost its glamour when seen from
those backdoor suburbs that every railway in every
land appears to regard the only natural avenue of
approach to busy communities. The line turned
sharply along the right bank of the Tave and
past tobacco factories, brewerles powder mills, scat
tered novels, and unkempt streets. Here sun,
but plenty of bare whtewash. Even Alec, accus-
toned to the singularly ugly etchings of Paris viewed
from its chief railways completely disillusioned
by these drab adumbrations of commerce and squalor
The Tave was no longer blue, but dull brown with
the mud OF recent rain. Not even the inhabitants
were attractive They not CARRIED as Serbs, but
wore ungainly costumes that ght have passed un-