Smyrna times., 1911-07-05
How the Treaty
Was Made
A Story Inspired by the Pres.
ident's Peace Plan
By F. A. mitchell
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

Europe the principalities of Pertonia
and Weaden have disappeared from
the map. They were carved out of
the ancient territory called Helvetia
and were adjoining provinces. For
years the boundary line between the
two was a matter of dispute, and much
blood had been spilled without any
progress being made to fix it perma-
nently. At last war had reduced them
both to bankruptcy.
One day a young man, Herman Won
Gratz. rode into the capital of Weaden,
drew up at the palace of the reigning
prince and announced himself as an
envoy extraordinary from the sOver-
eign of Pertonia, having power to
make a treaty with his neighbors of
Weaden establishing a boundary line.
At the time of his arrival the minister
of foreign affairs was with the prince,
who. having heard Won GRATIS an
nouncement. turned to his cabinet Of
icer and said:
Count Won Steinwitz. negotiate a
treaty such as this young man is sent
to make ! do not wish to see it OF be
consulted with regard to it till it has
been signed. sealed and delivered.
Then. If it Is satisfactory to me. will
make you a marquis, giving you fat
the same time one of my estates. fIf
the treaty fails to meet my approval
you shall lose your head"
At this the ambassador looked very
much astonished.
What surprises you2" asked the
prince.
"A coincidence. My sovereign the
Prince of PertOnia has imposed upon
me the same conditions"
'Indeedv
"Yes, your highness. with this addl-
ton. that the treaty must be made.
l cannot escape by a failure to agree"
Turning to Won Steinwitz. the prince
said:
add that condition to those l have
named Take my brother sovereign'a
representative to your castle and keep
him there till you have come to an
agreement"
uG anu luC dlnOdooeloOA
bowed themselves out. mounted horses
and rode to Won Steinwitz's castle.
There was a great difference in years
between the two diplomats. Won Stein
witz being over sixty years old. while
Won Gratz was scarcely thirty. The
former was not much worried for his
head, for he was a veteran in diploma
cy and had no fear but that he could
outwit the younger and less expert
enced man. Upon their arrival the
host placed his guest in the handsom
est suit of apartments in the castle
left him and. going to his cabinet, or
dered an attendant to say to his daugh
ter, the Countess Bertha, that he wish
ed her to come to him. In few min
utes the maiden Joined her father
and he said to her:
"a young diplomat is here from thu
king of Pertonia. Make it your bust
ness to win his heart"
'Yes. father" said the girl dutifull!
and retired. She asked no reason TO
this strange request, and none was of
fered Like all girls OF that period
she was accustomed to hear and t
obey. Parents did not give reasons 10
their orders.
Won Gratz met Bertha Won Steinwit
at supper the same evening. No order
were necessary in either case so IA
as love was concerned. for the yOun
diplomat as soon as he set eyes on tn
countess was enraptured. And Bel
tha in the handsome face and figure
the intellectual cast of Won GratZ'
head and countenance, saw an idea
such as she had treasured from chile
hood. After the meal the crafty coun
/ withdrew to his cabinet. leaving tn
two together.
The next morning after breakfas
Won Steinwitz, instead of inviting hi
guest to begin the negotiations, Ol
dered horses and falcons to be brougt
and sent his guest and Bertha out for
hunt. All day they rode through th
woods attended by retinue OF coul
tiers and servants. Bertha not Onl
found any attempt to fascinate he
companion repulsive. but needles
| Sne nau only 10 De ueTSel1 W VIII ILL
and she gave her heart to him withoJ
the asking. Love is a finer diplomi
than any earthly sovereign has eve
3 employed. The two breathed it
with the pure air. When their birC
} took fight for the coveted gam
though their eyes followed. their hear
3 remained in proximity. And when Il
( hunt was ended and they rode back
the castle they took no thought (
I love; the little god alone had a care t,
that.
y The second day was like the frs
3 And so the time passed. Love pr
. gressed, but not the treaty. Ten da!
4 had gone by, and not a point in it hs
been discussed. Then the young dipl
q mat began to realize that he loved h
Q antagonists daughter. A new featu
= had come over the treaty. If Il
count achieved diplomatic advantal
u the lover would lose his head. II Il
9 lover secured a victory the father
n the girl he loved must die. The
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