Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-05-13

pears that Lord Derby objects 10 their
proceedings, for q reason which i II
not easy To understand. and No has
even forbidden the poor khedlve TO an
terrain an offer which was smpow-
cred to make to him on behalf OF the
associates
The countenancs of thu English
premier assumed an expression or the
most profound annoyance.
'Ridicnions!' he muttered. 'M u
incredible! What reason could hA pos
sibly have had for this absurd prohi-
bitiony
!" II seems that they have persuaded
him that there was political signifs-
nance In this transaction that these
shares We're to be acquired for the
French government, In word.
M, Disraeil turned on mo 1 look Of
the most perfect surprise.
But surely that Ii not soY be In
CURED. 1 have Just understood you
TO tell me that there ID q question
here amply OF q private speculatlcnr
Without doubt. The government
OF France holds itself entirely aloot
from the affair. on the contrary.
~ understand. Then what you AK
of me Ia. to inform Lord Derby that
he IL mistaken In supposing that the
French government interests itself ri
your negotiationsf'
Perfectly, answered. iittle ar
concerted, however. In that caaa, ana
! forbidden to hope that you will pr~.
vail on him to withdraw his proh.bi.
tionY
There win no longer Do any reA-
son for maintaining II. was the reply.
II IL rather question how he could
ever have been deceived into 4 belief
50 groundiess. Perhaps you can sur.
gest cause for this strange miatah0y
Thus encouraged. ventured To pro-
nounce the name OF Colonel Warrior.
which NJ. Dlsraeli received With :
1 frown.
1T happened that this otscer m4&
me In Cairo explained. and became
aware that was In communication
with Ismail Pasha. did not believe
| myself obliged to take him Into my
confidence, and It Ii doubtless this q.
serve which has provoked his inter.
| ference
. III Is perfectly shameful the pre-
| mier exclaimed with immense indig-
| nation. You have done right to COM
plain to me OF this person. whose un-
just suspicious have inflicted ssrious
injury upon your friends
IL ID true that the colonel had for
| meriy made my acquaintance over q
diplomatic transaction added, and
this may have caused him to connect
my proceedings with the idea Of pol
| itics.
m. Disraeli smiled, and shook his
head playfully Mt ME.
All, baron, you see that your ter.
ribIe reputation pursues YOU he OBJ
served. How can you be surprised II
people refuse to recognize In the most
astute diplomatist OF Europe. the inno-
cent traveller OF harmless CONNER
cial syndicate?'
When ! finally tore myself away
he insisted on accompanies me 10
tho door. where he renewed his ex-
presaions OF regret at Lord Derby's un.
fortunate mistake, and warmly assured
me OF his own perfect belief In the In
difference Of tho French government" +
The ambassador heaved 1 sigh, and
commenced rolling up his napkin 10
II he had nothing more to tell me.
.'Isut you have not flnished your
story demonstrated. seeing him
beckon to the waiter for his bill.
His exceilency shrugged his Shout
ders.
you compel me To resume? Good.
The following morning copy Of
the Times was laid before me Ut
breakfast. opened II, and the first
thing on which my eyes fell was this
passage:
We have today to make q some
what startling announcement. The
British government have bought from
the khedive shares OF the Suex csnal
to the amount Of 100000 sterling.
In the complete secrecy with which
this transaction has been carried out.
q transaction which II II impossible
to separate In our thoughts from the
question Of EngIand's future relations
with Egypt, we trace the hand OF Mr..
Disraeli.'
And 80 on. had been deliberate
ly, shamefully deceived. While N.
Dlsraeli was pretending to grant me
everything | wished, he actually held
the khedive's assignment In his peck
ct. II has been the most humiliating
experience OF my career
! tried to look as though / shared
his excellency's indignation.
And did the French government
take no actiony I inquired respect.
fully.
How could they? / have related
what passed between us. This astute
man had carefully set himself to draw
from me an explicit assurance that my
government were without interest Ia
the disposal OF these shares. X / had
dared to demonstrate he would have
replied that he was perfectly entitled
to bid against syndicate OF private
1vno,,In Lac prAs~ 81