The Washburn leader., 1913-09-05
An ]. Episode Of
the Balkans
b ALBERT KENYON

By ALBERT KENYON
When the Balkan states had expelled
the Turk and were anxious lest the
powers should intervene and infict
their ancient enemies upon them the
two powers most able to help or harm
them were Germany and Russia.
At this time Prince Ferdinand Of
Bulgaria sent young man in his serv-
ice to the emperor Of Germany to Of
fer certain inducements for him to re-
strain Austria. This person was Boris
Meloff, very determined young man,
who, so far as strength and bravery
were concerned, was well adapted to
get the message through to Berlin.
Austrian spies were on the watch to
checkmate any move Prince Ferdinand
might make, and Melon was liable to
be attacked. and his dispatch taken
from him.
On the day Of his departure he went
to his home and told his wife that he
was to 60 on journey and the object
Of it, directing her to get out his pis-
tolls and a couple Of short knives,
which he intended to take with him
for defensive purposes.
Fighting is but half the defense
you will have to make,' said Kristina,
his wife. You viii be In greater dan
ger Of losing the dispatch by strata
gem. Where will you carry your dis
patch?" 5u..
Where would you suggest?" asked
Boris.
:.sI will think it over cand let you
know later"
Boris gave her the dispatch that she
might know it's size, and before he left
her she opened his valise, which she
had packed for him, and showed him
the dispatch, addressed to his imperial
majesty the kaiser, on top Of his other
clothes, where every one could see it.
Boris was astonished at this and was
about to take the package to put else
where when his wife stopped him.
"Boris," she said, '1eave it where it
is. No one will look for it in your
valise. It will be sought for on your
person. Keep your weapons on your
person and the dispatch in your va
Hse."
The young husband concluded to
humor his WIFE He kissed her and the
children goodby and sailed forth.
There is railway running north
westward from Sofia, and Boris went
by train, his route lying through Ser
via and Austria. There were traitors
and spies everywhere, and he had not
been long on the train before he knew
that there were Austrians aboard who
had been informed of his errand. He
dare not 60 apart from the others lest
he be attacked. So he kept his seat in
the train. He had letter in his pock-
ct from his wife, which he was tempt
ed to read to while away the time, but
he dare not Besides, she had distinct
" charged him not to do so unless he
should lose the dispatch. In that
case he would find in It a suggestion.
On reaching Belgrade man stepped
up to him and whispered to him that
his wife, Kristina, had sent him to say
that after Boris had left her she had
learned that an attempt would be
made to relieve him Of the dispatch in
changing trains at that point. The
man handed Boris note from his
wife, written in her well known hand.
advising him to give the messenger
the dispatch to take from the train. to
be returned on the train leaving Bel
grade for Budapest Boris hesitated;
but, having every confidence in his
wife. he concluded to do 80. Going
with the man to a room in. the station
where they would not be observed.
he opened his valise and gave the man
the package.
That was the last Boris saw Of the
man or the package. After leaving
Belgrade he looked for him through
the train and. not finding him. was in
agony at having been duped. His great
wonder was how the fellow could have
duped his wife. Remembering the let
ter he was to read from her containing
q suggestion in case he lost the dis
patch, he opened and read 1t.
Kristina said In the letter that she
had NO hope Of his getting the dispatch
through unless by stratagem.. She had
commissioned q friend to reveal to an
Austrian that Boris was going to Ber-
lin with an important dispatch, and the
friend offered to get letter from Boris
wife that would secure It for money
consideration. Kristina's object was
to throw others who were after the
plunder on the track. The Austrian
paid the price for the note and boarded
the same train as Boris.
..Bht," continued Kristina's letter, III
you give him the package in your
yalise you viii not give him the dis
patch. I opened the envelope, took out
the princes letter to the czar ana re
nlaead it with waste paper. The di9.