The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-01-19
Eophy of
kravonia.
By ANTHONY HOPE.
Author Of THE Prisoner ~f zsnds-"
copyright 1906. Anthony Hops
Hawkina
81 Chapter
III Twenty.nine

kYAlR-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 10 develop itself In
Slavna from the hour OF the proclama-
ton OF young Alexis.
The first result Of this suspicious
event. following so closely on the issue
of Captain Mistitch's expedition, was
TO give all the diplomatists bad colds.
Some took to their beds. others went
for a change OF air. but one and all had
such colds as would certainly prevent
them from accepting royal invitations
or being present nj state functions.
Young Alexis had cold. too. and was
consequently unable TO issue royal in
vitations or take his part in state func-
lions. Countess Ellenburg was even
more affccted-she had lumbagc-and
even Genernl Stenovics was advised 10
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 Suleiman'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.
Tie was a 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 laundering. violent
ways. mot the man for a delicate
mission" he said decislvcly to Captain
Markart. The captain forbore 10 re-
mind him how II 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 sevcns
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 Eilenburg wanted TO I've re-
gent. Stenoyics was for council. with
himself " the chair. Stafnitz thought
himself the obvious man 20 be COM
mandant OF Slavna. Stenoyics would
have agreed-only It was necessary TO
keep an eye on Nolsenil Now. II he
We're to be commandant, while the
colonel took the field with small. but
picked. FORGET 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 az Sulelman's toweri He
was not sure that coming back from
Praslok with n 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 men
come by their own. The venerable say
ing involves one postulate-that there
shall be honest men TO do II. In high
places in Slayna this seemed 10 be
difficulty. and IL 10 not so certain that
Kravonia's two great neighbors 10 east
and west quite filed the gap. These
powers were exchanging views now.
They were nightly shocked at the
way Kravonia had been going on.
Their ministers had worse colds than
any OF the other ministers. and their
press had a great deal 10 say about
civilization and such like topics. Kra-
vonia was rich country. ard its geo
graphical position was important The
history OF the world seems TO show
that the standard Of civilization and
morality demanded OF a country de
ponds largely on its richness and the
Importance OF its geographical position.
The neighbor on the west had plenty
OF mountains. but wanted some fertile
plains The neighbor on the east had
fertile plains adjacent 10 the Kravonian
ifoDucF dut Noulu ike 10 Hplu lIt
mountain II as a protection TO them.
A farseeing statesman would have dis
cerned how important correct behavior
was TO the interests OF Kravonia! The
great neighbors began to move In the
matter. but they moved slowly. They
had to see that their own keen sense OF
morality was not opposed to the keen
sense Of morality of other great ma
tions. The right TO feel specially out
ragged Is a matter for diplomatic nego-
tiations, often, no doubt, OF great dell
cacy.
SO In the meantime slavna was left
to its own devices for little longer
to amuse Itself in fits light hearted, I'M
remorseful. extremely unconscientious
way, and TO frown and shake distant
fist at grim. gray. sad little volseni in
the bills. With the stern and faithful
band who mourned the dead prince mel
Their Stenovics nor.stafnitz seemed for
the moment inclined to try conclusions,
though each would have been glad to see
the other undertake the enterprise. In n
military regard narrower they were