Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-21

would never have tried so often to tempt you
to his service.
THE General flung himself back in the car
rage and folded his arms. The steel spring
was relaxed He was baf1ed, and the weari-
ness of life had suddenly enveloped him in its
chilling fog Very well, then. We descend
at Chalons," he said with a sigh that was
tribute to adverse fate.
Having paid for your ticket, you may as
we'll come on to Vienna" said Alec with irri-
tating composure.
Curse Vienna! Why should l take that
long journey for nothing?"
ITO oblige me-"
You'll drive me crazy. How will it oblige
your" Stampoff bounced up again. Twill
you be so kind as to explain what you mean?"
he cried Indignantly.
"Oh, yes. We are going to talk far into the
night, and it is only fair that you should know
my intentions. Otherwise, the valuable coun-
sci you will give me might be instructed, as it
is, for instance, at the present moment, when
you are heatedly advising me tc throw in my
lot with set of rascals who, when | fail to sat-
isfy their demands, would turn and rend me
just as they have rended Theodore. Be sure
that their object was selfish, Stampot. Not
one of these men has ever seen Prince Michael
or myself. Even their leaders must have been
mere boys when Ferdinand VII. was attacked
probably by their fathers. Well shall have
none of them. They and their like are the curse
of Kosnovia.. Who will pay taxes to keep me
Who will benefit by good government and hon
est administration of the laws? Assuredly not
they, for they batten on corruption; they are
the maggots. not the bees, of industry Over
whom, then, shall reign?
Il am young, Paul; but l have read and
thought-not very deeply, perhaps, but have
looked at things in that strong, clear light of
Paris, which is heady at times, like its good
wine, but which enables to view art aid
politics and social needs in their nakedness.
AID 7 bo1f Whi
counts for certain elements in my composition
that detract from French ideals. A French
man cannot understand. Paul. why some of my
excellent kith and kin across the Atlantic
should condemn studies of the nude. But
somehow l have glimmering sense of the
moral purpose that teaches us to avoid that
which is not wholly decent So am blend
of French realism and American level headed
a King should trust his people Sometimes the
people are slow to learn the vital fact. Well,
they must be taught, and the first lesson in a
State like Kosnovia might well be given by
trying those felons of the Schwarzburg before
duly constituted court of law
" Fine talk Alec. Fine talk. You do not
know our Serbs" yet Stampoff was moved, and
his Slavonic sympathies were touched by Alec's
pleading.
one poor monarch, who thought he did know
Frenchmen. ask only for few hours in my
boots once 1 reach Delgratz. l shall say things
that will not be forgotten for day or two.
Come, now, my old warhorse, join me in this
new campaign! 1t may well prove your last as
it is my first but we shall fall honorably, you
and IL
There were tears in Stampoff's eyes when
Alec made an end. Perhaps you are right,
he said. Il have always given my mind to the
military element. 1t seemed to that the
common folk required to be driven, not led, into
the path they should tread. l am growing old,
Alec; yours is new creed to me. l never
thought to hear it from belgrade, and it will
make a rare stir in more places than kosnovia
but by Heaven, it is worth trial!''
~ first essential of reformer Long and
earnestly did they discuss the men and manners
of kosnovia and its chief city, and ever the
Danube drew nearer; but not word did Alec
say of his telegram to Beaumanoir until man
met him in the Western Station at Vienna
wrung his hand and rushed away again with
the words
"Beaumanoir leaves Paris tonight He un-
derstands. So do /. Good luck, old chap! If
you have to hit, hit hard and quick''
Stampof did not speak English. He was
greatly distressed that Alec should have been
recognized the instant he alighted from the
train, though Paris was then twenty two hours
distant "Who is that" he asked with con-
siderable anxiety.
"a friend from the British Embassy
From an Embassy! Then we are lost!'
" It seemed to me that | have been found