The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-11-30
Are Leading Hard Life In
Only Part of Country
Free of Invaders
TOUCHING INCIDENT
AT LITTLE CHURCH
Rulers Attended Mass Without At
tendants and Were Not Recognized
Until Conclusion of Ceremonies.
Living in Simple Villa

Paris. November 29.-(Special. liking
Albert and his devoted consort are now
leading a warlike existence in the one
little corner of their devastated kingdom
which is still free from the invading Ger
mans
The modesty, resourcefulness, and In
defatigable deviation to duty displayed by
Queen Elizabeth. and the loyalty con-
stancy, and heroism of King Albert have.
ever since the beginning OF the war
proved the greatest comfort and consola-
ton to their people. The royal example
has stimulated their subjects to the heroic
efforts which have been made throughout
the land durirs their time of trouble, and
has inspired them with confidence in the
future.
King Albert and his Queen. who Sc
often found themselves Obliged to re-
treat before the advancing enemy, always
waited to the last moment before follow.
ing their own army. Only on one oc
easion did Queen Elizabeth leave her hus
bands side; that was when her majest,
removed her children to England out OF
reach of the bombs Of the Zeppeline
which in Antwerp made so many attempts
to wreck the royal residence She had
hardly settled her family In England
when King Albert telegraphed for her
to return to Antwerp.
why ask her majesty to return?" Ven
tured to ask M. Inblebeck, private secre
tary to King Albert; the position
fear has not at all improved.
THAT Is just my reason" replied the
King of the Belgians. for the Queen
made no promise to recall her il the stu
alton became grave
Two days later the Queen was back n
Antwerp, and only left when the King
turned his back upon the doomed city.
Later, at Ostend when the King was
obliged to leave with his general staff
Queen Elizabeth remained behind, and
could not be persuaded to go until she
had satisfied that all the wounded had
been removed. 1t was only an hour after
her departure that the advance guard
of the German entered the town.
Since then the Belgian sovereigns have
lived In modest abode but still on theli
beloved territory. This must help to cheer
and strengthen them. for at least the,
have not been obliged to exile themselves
A few days ago, early In the morning
when the sun had barely risen, bel
was ringing summoning the faithful Il
prayer In the village church. The door
of the village opened. and on to the gravel
path stepped a tall. slender man. in the
undress uniform of a Belgian general
He was followed by a lady, dressed IL
tailor-made blue serge coat and skirt,
with white collar; on her head was q
neat and perfectly plain little hat, with
piece Of white ribbon upon 1t. 1t was
the King and the Queen. They were fol-
lowed by an officer. who walked at a
respectful pace and so, without further
escort, they proceeded to the church
They walked slowly on, without speak
ing to each other. Their path led them
across the sand dunes which were de-
nh or hou ~ At
house of prayer nnnoticed.
Alarmed BY Plane
At this moment an aeroplane flew over
head; it was not very high up. The King,
who, until then, had been walking with
his eyes looking upon the ground raised
his head. He took from his pocket a
pair of field glasses and gazed up into
the air. He soon recognized to what
nationality 1t belonged, for he turned to
the Queen. and reassuring her majesty,
remarked, THAT is French machine;
that's WELL" For a moment or two they
stood and watched the aviator flying to-
ward the enemy's lines, then the KIM
pushed the church door gently open, and
they both entered. The church was
crowded. but no one recognized them
This King and Queen Of sorrows chose a
seat near the back Of the aisle. and knelt
by each others side In silent prayer.
Later on during mass they moved noise
lessly up to a little side chapel on the
north side of the altar. At the conclusion
of the service, the priest, Father Fallon
approached the King and explained thsi
he had no idea that he was to have the
honor OF celebrating mass before SO dis
tinsuished a congregation. He had beer
with the Belgian artillery as chaplain
and when he was requested to officiate
he little thought that he was about "a
pronounce the benediction upon his be.
loved sovereign and his cons0rt.
By this time some Of the workshippers
had recognized them, and the news spread
rapidly. The congregation had moved
out of the church and when their maJes-
ties appeared. received them in sympa-
thetic silence. respectfully bowling. ther
suddenly a little girl waved her hand
and cried, "vive la refine! vive Ia Bel
gique!
A roar went up and the scene OF thu
greatest enthusiasm ensued. 1t was q
touching and moving scene. Their majes'
ties passed on thanking their subjects
trying In vain to hide their emotion.
Slowly they retracted their lteps alons
the path by the sea. whose waves reach
close up to the villa which serves then
as refuge They walked side by side
they looked sad; they did not realize
perhaps. that by their simple act Of de
votion In attending mass In common will
the humblest of their subjects in tn
simple little church. lost amongst thu
sand dunes. they hao left an indelibl'
I'm rrn 1Hr,<sr9 that <,rr,0roWa tim fhn