Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-05-06
THE WHITE THREAD
Chronicled BY ALLEN UPWARD

UDSCIfcu NyuiCdiAy. NnOoaN 0Ay ~AsSA
pected difficulty arise while am away,
involving the interests Of Russia. you
would not do badly to consult him.
1.-THE matter was thus arranged. In
due course the Russian handed over
the care of his legation to me, and
took his departure.
Shortly after he had left the capt.
tai banquet was given at the palace,
to which received an invitation. The
affair was not one Of state, but q good
many distinguished functionaries were
present. including the Austrian minis
ter and M. Starovitch.
Il was received graciously by Prince
George, and with still more cordiality
by his beautiful and distinguished con-
sort. When we sat down to dinner /
found myself on the left of the
princess, who sat between me and the
prince, while the prime minister was
on my other side. The Austrian min
lister occupied the post of honor on
Prince Georges right mention these
details for reason which you will
perceive presently.
81 have said that the banquet was
not state one. Nevertheless the pres
ence Of SO many high functionaries i'm
parted to it more or less political
air. AS the evening advanced, / even
began to perceive something in the
atmosphere which warned me that this
gathering had some hidden signift-
canoe. The prince, who was drinking
freely, had hardly exchanged word
with his wife since we sat down, while
he kept indulging in long confidential
whispers with the Austrian minister.
81 had not long to wait for the key
to all this. AS soon as the dessert was
placed before us, Prince George rose
to his feet with an abrupt air, and fill
ing his glass to the brim. called out
with marked intonation:
Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you
to drink the health of my very good
friend and cousin. the Emperor Fran
| els Joseph!
at was a demonstration. 1t was i'm
possible to mistake the significance Of
| these words. They meant that Prince
George had arrived at an understand
ing with the court of Vienna, and that
| the friends of Russia in the princi-
pality were crushed.
II turned from the exultant face of
| the Austrian envoy, who saw this
triumph of his diplomacy, to the
Princess Catherine. She had turned
deadly pale as she rose from her seat
in compliance with the princes ex-
ample, and slowly lifted her glass to
her lips, as il each drop that it con-
tanned were the most deadly poison.
The prime minister managed to
conceal his chagrin with more skill,
He drank the toast as though it were
a meaningless ceremony, and quietly
resumed his seat by my side. But as
| soon as the attention Of those near
us was diverted for a moment, he
whispered softly in my ear:
",Baron Dourenski is a prudent
man. His absence has been well
timed.
"'There are certain precautions
which the baron foresaw might be,
come necessary in the event of any.
thing of this kind taking place. The
necessity having now arisen, I am
compelled to ask you, as his repre-,
sentative, to come to my assistance.
have in my pocket at this moment an
envelope containing certain papers OF
the highest importance, which it is es'
sential that l should entrust to your
care for time
Il could not restrain look OF an
noyance at this suggestion. 1t was by
no means pleasant to find myself in.
volyed in the tortuous mazes of Rus
sian underground diplomacy, diplo
macy of which / had heard a good
deal. but with which had not previ
ously come into direct contact.
You may bring the packet you
speak of to my residence tomorrow, II
you please / answered coldly. I will
put it in a place of safety till my
colleague returns
M. Starovitch gave a slight frown
81 dare not wait till tomorrow he
returned quickly. The papers are oil
too much Importance, and it is impos
sible to foresee what may follow this
move | must beg you to let me pass
this envelope to you now, under the
shelter of the table. We do not know
who may be observing US
While | was endeavoring to give
my attention to their highnesses,
became conscious of light touch on
my knee Affecting to play with my
serviette, gradually allowed my left
hand to descend out of sight beneath
the table, and my fingers at once
came in contact with the envelope OF
which Starovitch had spoken. ] care
: fully took hold of it, and Selling the
first moment when the princes eyes
were turned away, | managed to gel
the packet up under my coat and into
. my breast pocket, Whether anyone
: else at the table perceived the move
ment it was impossible for me to tell.
Shortly afterwards his highness
/ gave the signal to rise, and giving his
, arm to his consort, led the compan!
into the drawing-room. Here we sep
arated into small groups, and | Oh
eervad the Austrian minister approach