Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-09

for visit to Bucharest In order to become
acquainted with her.
He obeyed them and was received with open
arms, Queen Marie exerting herself to make
his stay in the Rumanian capital as pleasant
possible. She was enthusiastic at the pos
sibility of her youngest and favorite daughter
becoming Queen of Bulgaria and spared no eff
forts to attract Boris. She overdid herself,
however, and the youthful King became shy
of her activities and the talent she had for
intrigue and, contrary to the general expec-
tation, returned to Sofia unengaged bachelor.
It was said at that time that he was In love
with q Bulgarian lady, the beautiful widow
Of an officer killed during the World War.
Perhaps there may have been some truth in
this runor and he may have thought mar
rage with one Of his subjects might add to his
own popularity. If such was his idea, he was
very quickly disilIusioned, because he was told
by several Bulgarian statesmen that they
would not favor such project and wanted
their sovereigns marriage to bring some kind
Of profit along with it to Bulgaria and
strengthen the country by an alliance with a
powerful European dynasty.
Boris had to resign himself, but did not re-
frain from telling those counselors that he did
not care to ask in marriage girl who would
refuse him, that he did not see in Europe
any princess willing to share his throne with
its responsibilities and his relatively abject
poverty and that, consequently, he was not
going to marry at all-at least not for the
present.
A great outcry followed. but the King would
not be moved from his resolution and as a
consequence, the matter was dropped Tor the
time being and Boris soon acquired the reputa-
ton of being a confirmed bachelor
THEN one day he went abroad for trip.
He owned some properties in Italy, which
he had inherited from his mother, but which
the italian government had confiscated during
the war and later returned to him. This estate
consisted of a castle and vineyards situated
close TO the Castle of San Rossore, near Pisa,
where the italian royal family is in the habit
of spending its Summers, and 1t was q natural
thing for him to call on King Victor Emmanuel
and Queen Elena while in their neighborhood.
It was also natural for the latter to ask him
to dinner few days later.
AS things turned out. when dressing for
this dinner Boris was going unsuspectingiy to
his fate.
The meal was quiet family affair, with no
strangers present. and was only enlivened by
the presence of the two younger italian
princesses, Giovanni and Maria, who was not
yet out OF school. Poor Boris as he took his
seat beside Queen Elena. mentally prepared
himself for dull evening, when suddenly he
saw pair Of beautiful dark eyes turned upon
him-those of Giovanna Of Savoy.
What happened then was something akin 10
a whiriwind. The two young people fell inn
mediately and violently In love with each other,
and before the evening had come to an end
had reached . thorough understanding with
each other.
The next day Boris returned to San Rossore
and asked king Victor Emmanuel for his
daughters hand. The italian monarch did not
know what to say, because he did not care In
the least for the princess going 70 reign over
the Bulgarians. He told Boris he wanted time
to think over the matter and only pro forma
told Giovanna of his offer He was absolutely
amazed when the princess replied to him that
the young King Of Bulgaria was the one man