Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-12

roof was off, one wing was wholly dismantled.
and the beautiful gardens were strewn with
debris.
- In the name of Providence, what is going
on" demanded Monseigneur of the driver.
1t is the Kings order, your Highness, said
the man, glorying in the fact that the muzzle
was otf-by request. The castle is to be
demolished and new National Assembly
built the site"
Our ancient house pulled down and made
a sty for those pigs! The King must be mad"
We esteem him highly in Delgratz.' said
the man stoutly. . He thinks more of the peo-
pie than of palaces, and they say that he means
to convert some of the gold lace into white
bread"
The bewidered and Infatuated Michael now
remembered that the few officers encountered
in the railway station the streets seemed to
be less gaudlly attlred than in former years. In
passing thought he attributed the alteration
to the wearing of undress uniform during the
early hours; but the cab drivers words seemed
to hint at some fresh move of reform. His
bullying eyes continued to glare at the ruined
palace; but native caution warned him against
being too outspoken in the presence of one Of
the lower order.
When was this work begun" he asked
Three days ago. your Highness. The King
decided that the banqueting hall should be de-
stroyed as quickly as possible. He says it taints
the air. As for the Assembly it must wait.
Money is not SO plentiful
What is it, Michael" cried the Princess,
aware that something unforeseen had hap
pened: but unable to grasp its significance,
owing to her ignorance of the language.
Monseigneur who had stood up in the car
riage. subsidized again He raised both hands
in a gesture of bewilderment. Alexis III. has
signalized the first n. onth of his reign by de
stroying the historic home of our race-that IS
all. madame he muttered bitterly.
But why remaining here Where
does Alec live? He must inhabit house Of
some sort. Tell the man to drive there 1T
once!
The Prince affected not to hear. What
could Stampotf be thinking of to permit this
outrage?" he murmured. why was not |
consuted2 Idiot that am, and coward too,
| now see the mistake made. Can it be rect-
tied9 Is it too late.'
A SECOND carriage laden with luggage
drove in through the gateway. The'valet
and French maid gazed in discreet wonder at
their master and mistress seated diSconsolatelv
in front of tumbledown building.
Michael. | insist that you give the driver
dlrections!' cried his wife vehemently. We
cannot remain here. The least shred of COM
nonsense should warn you that we making
ourselves ridiculous"
All yes one must act" agreed the Prince
He glanced at the enthusiastic supporter of the
new regime. I'VE have travelled here from
Paris. and his Majestys recent letters have
missed u.s. he said, with perceptible return
of the grand air that had served him in good
stead for many years Take us to his Majestys
present residence. The error is mine. | should
have told you that in the first instance
The King is living in the Presidents house
Excellency. 1t is not far; but you will not find
his Majesty there this morning. At four O'Clock
he rode to Grotzka with the mad English
man.
"Hal and who may that be-"
"An English Milford. who laughs always even
when his Majesty and he are trying to break
their necks at game they play on horseback.
hitting white ball with long sticks | have
seen them. They make the young officers play
it, and there three in hospital already.
This is hot weather for such Internal amuse-
ment''
Prince Michael nodded. Like every other
person watching affairs on the Danube. he had
read of Lord Adalbert Beaumanoir's adventure
with the Austrian authorities, -indeed. Europe
had almost expected declaration of war over
the incident,-but he did not know that Beau
MANOR still an inhabitant of Delgratz.
To Monsieur Nesimir's!" he said sullenlv,
and left it to the Princess to give instructions
to the servants to follow. though the poor
woman did not yet know whittier she was be-
ing taken She very angry with her hus-
band, and blamed herself for not having tele-
graphed to her son before leaving Paris: but
she had Welded to Michael belgrade during
many years that it difficult to abandon
the habit now Yet she promised herself full
explanation with Alec when they met and
that must be soon, since here she was in Del
gratz, where, judging by the newspapers, the
L ~.