Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-19

acterixed Primo de Rivera throughout
his career. A hard. efficient man!
Such was the situation then, wher
the Spanish Napoleon fell in love. SincS
he had forced the newspapers through
out Spain 10 print only the things Ee
wanted printed. no general announce
ment regarding the matter crept into
type. But It was rumored that Primo
was about to marry the Countess Cas-
tellanos. with whom he was now seer
about the capital, and TO whom he PAID
marked attention at the formal cour'
affairs.
The countess was an orphan. the lasi
of an old aristocratic family. She Wa
stylish. intellectual, charming, favoritG
in society The whisper went around
that the wedding was to be celebrated
September -, and that the King wotsi1
be Primo's best man.
A romantic glow warmed the premier
He began to talk of retirement, softly
quietly, with much observation about
the beauties of domesticity
Soon afterward he announced that he
was TO be married. and moved the dats
ahead. like an eager youth. to August
Is. After his wedding. he let IL be
understood. he would retire and rest for
two years. Politics had lost charm
completely.
This was the situation In June last.
Then, one day. the Countess Castellanos
was seen on the Madrid Stock Ex-
change with two young men. Count
Cimera and the Duke of Alniodoyar
That night his familiars saw the pre-
mier as a man racked by rage and dis
appointment Next day his pet news
paper, La Nacion, announced that the
conduct of the countess In visiting the
stock exchange, In gambling there. was
incomprehenSihle The projected mar
riage. so the announcement stated. was
not to be- Instead. Primo de Rivera
would devote himself to his country for
five years more There would be no two
years rest Mo- The premier, like any
college boy. disappointed in the girl CT
his dreams, was through with women
forever
The two young ariStocratic gallants
wrote hot letters to the premier. talking
of duelS and amends. and demanding
explanation. But Primo curtly refused
to have anything to say TO them-and
in Spain that had TO do.
On every side questions arose, Was
the Countess CaSteilanoS using for per-
Sonal stock speculation hints she had
whecdled from the PREMIER There were
cynicS who said so. but the countess
arSistocratic friends Spurned such an
accusation A lady of Spain do such \
thing? No. thousand times, MOI
Primo Rivera was just jealous. quick
tempered man. unworthy Of the tradt-
tional chivalry of his race, The countess.
it was declared. was heartbroken over
his treatment of her There were
stories that she intended to go into
convent. but these we're later denied
The premier said nothing more,
Then the revolt OF the ladies, Primo
planned grand hall--a more elabo-
rate one. 1t appears, than he ever had
given, Perhaps ne wanted to show the
world that even love had left him un-
scathed Personally he invited the
high society of Spain But the grand
DANES refused to come Led by the
Duchess Of Gs..tssiano and the Mar
quessa urqutlo. they remained at home
the night OF the ball All Spain Is still
talking about the incident, Is this the
beginning of sound opposition at last,
one that Primo cannot sweep away
with DEGREES and manifeStoeSr II IL be
true that the hand that rocks the
cradle rules the world. Primo had bet
ter trim sail and reef down his canvas
against the squalls In the offing,
But the strongest part OF Il Is that
they say now the premier Is sorry he
acted so precipitately. that he thinks
he may have miSiudged the countess.
And even that NOON the grim dictator
may be seeking forgiveness At the ladys
feet
Is 1t conscience. or Is II love, Una,
makes cowAixlS OF us dl9