The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1915-05-27


a lion, and to him shyness Is absolute
| ly unknown.
"The next thing that happened was
the return of the queen-regent, at the
close of the review. She sent to the
tutor to bring Alfonso to her. Con-
founded at such a message, he hurried
into her majesty's presence. and at
once the truth was discovered. There
had been no discomfort among the
troops, and no sending for the king. He
had become the victim Of a cleverly
planned abduction.
Figure to yourself the despair OF
| Queen Christina. But even In such
moments, royal personages are not
freed from considerations of state.
Before taking any steps. 1t was neces-
| sary to advise with the prime minis
| ter.
"A messenger was at once dis
patched to fetch him to the palace.
Senior Gaustala slost no time in obey
ing the summons, and the facts were
laid before him.
1T was by his imperative advice
that it was decided to keep the affair
secret as long as possible. In the un-
settled state of the Spanish kingdom,
with a dynasty hardly yet seated on
| the throne, and threatened by repub-
licans on one side and legitimists on
the other, the news that the king had
been spirited away might very well
be the signal, as you may imagine, for
| revolution.
at was therefore that this comedy
Of a pretended illness was devised.
With the exception Of two old, trusted
servants, every one was strictly ex-
cluded from the kings apartments. in
which it was given out that he was
lying Ill, and Queen Christina arranged
to take up her own quarters there. to
escape the prying eyes of her suite
On his part, Senior Guastala undertook
to bind one Of the court physicians to
secrecy, and induce him to attend at
regular intervals, and issue the usual
| bulletins.
"At the same time the police were
| warned that an abduction had taken
place, and furnished with general
description of the carriage, and of Its
three occupants. The railways were
| watched, the frontiers guarded. In
short, the usual precautions were
taken. Unfortunately it was consid-
cred unsafe to describe the missing
| boy too plainly for fear OF his Identity
becoming known.
| "The porters who had seen the car
rage drive away were also questioned
| with caution, but beyond the mere
statement that they had seen his
majesty enter the carriage with the
officers, no information of any value
/ was elected from them.
"The exertions OF the police during
four days were entirely fruitless. The
| Spaniards are q fine race with many
admirable traits, but they lack the
French quickness. But for the acci-
dent of my presence in the capital. 1t
is difficult to say what would have De-
come Of the Spanish monarchy. LUCK
| ily CHANGED to be in Madrid at that
| time
The moment ] heard that the king
had been taken Ill, went to call at
| the palace. During the period OF my
connection with our embassy In Mad
rid had become greatly attached to
this delightful youngster, with his
superb airs of king; and / think
| had had the honor to attract the re-
| gard of his majesty. ] went, therefore,
confidently expecting that my visit
would be welcomed by the little In.
valid. Judge Of my surprise when |
found myself denied admittance to the
sickroom came away, cursing the
| ingratitude of princes.
'But you are aware Of my character.
| / am not easily to be bafied In a de-
sign which ! have once undertaken.
That very day telegraphed to Paris,
| to Emile Gerault ct Cie., OF the HUE
Luxembourg, to forward me the most
splendid toy in thcir warehouse.
ION the fourth day 1t arrived. It
was q marvel--a work Of art. Imagine
a soldier, completely accoutred In the
uniform of Chasseur d'AfriQue, with
everything renewable. down to the
very spurs, and mounted upon a fas-
cinating camel, which drove itself by
cloekwork! II packed my treasure IN
cab and took 1t round instantly to
! the palace.
"As / had anticipated. was again
refused entrance into Alfonso's prSs.
| cnca Thoreur0n demanded an audi
ence OF the queen regent. Daunted by
my nrmness, the attendantssga gave way.
and consented to take IN my card to,
her majesty. ventured to inscribe on
| 1t the word, Pressing
Doubtless, In her immense grief.
the queen was ready to clutch at any
straw which might promise assistance.
She agreed to receive me In the room
adjoining the kings bedchamber.