The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-04


Paris when his father was Indirectly con-
nected with the French court. The follow
ing relation, therefore. has a personal as
well as historic interest:
One OF the most beautiful women In the
world lies seriously III as these words are
written-the ill-starred Eugene de Mon
tito, once empress of tho Frensh. To no
ono else in history--at least In modern
tlmes--did such sudden exaltation come. to
be followed, alasl by equally sudden and
unexpected dethronement
Born OF Spanish parents OF gentle blood.
but in no way OF distinguished lineage.
she attracted the attention OF Napoleon
III. very soon after the coup detat which
landed him upon an uncertain throne Her
height was above the average. her Tea
lures wonderfully regular. possessing tina
doiicacy OF an old cameo, with an indi-
vidual fascination and charm that can
not be depicted In words. Her eyes were
blue OF intense energy and sweetness,
and hor mouth, which was very small.
had graciousness in every curve and
smile which was irresistible With brill
liant teeth. clea-, transparent complex
ion, and perfectly nodded ngure. she
presented a tout ensemble before which
Napoleon the Little III. kneit at tho height
OF his ambition.
Her marriage to the emperor was sud
den enough. His attentions to her had
been marked and the hsartburnings and
political intrigues that attended the mani
festatlons OF his preference for the young
spanish beauty had resulted In a series of
petty prosecutions OF the giri until one day
at a garden party the emperor. realizing
the Animosity shown by ladies' OF the
court toward Mile. de Monujo. nlucked
some sprays OF green twisted them into
rural crown. and placed It on the lady's
head. with tho sgniheant words. Until
Ia II
persecution ceased,
For the first ave years after marriage
the lie OF the newly rsgaliEea woman was
apparently one OF unAloyed happiness.
Napoleon III. was hard worker lie
did not spare himself. and. though he UNI
doubtcdly loved his wife, he did not con-
slider that occasional diversions In which
women figured detfacted at all from his
wifea confidence Ia and happiness vita
him Hut he Was wrcng Eugene heard
OF many instances ~ marital infidelity Ia
aign,ned silence, Finally the open scan
DIAL came. which We all remember So well,
vet with native dignity and a Spartan
fortltade she suffered In silence and said
nothing. dsveting herself with maternal
xeAl Go the prince imperial, for whom in
the prenatal period she had suffered so
much.
The effect Of this blur on her married
life Was to drive her TO a grester lateres<
but the latter element soon absorbed her.
she was not the nrst woman who has
nlxcd herself Ny with affairs OF state, 10
the lasting detrtmsnt " both. IL is need
less 20 go into the hreiis and cabals which
manifested themselves IN the French body
petite as the result ~ her partisan med
ding Let Va take the browning iucidsaS
Lake iielen et Trey. Eugrnie was tho
cause OF a war in which thousands OF lives
were host Ths IL not the place 20 enter
into an account az her sct4onA Ia their re-
latioas 20 the disastrous war OF is7e.ii, bus
* 10 saii that the American minister 70
the court Of the Tusleries called upon thn
empress enc day IN the cary part OK the
campaign and found her Waking up and
down the room cxcsteiiy. cxclalmins
.'Ihis Is my war Tails Is my MARI"
Hew that war ended we al know. Tee
real facts, however. concerning the eScane
OF tho empress from Paris. Shroush the dee
voted frisniship " an American rrcfes-
ssenM man. are known 20 few. ans mast
be 81 interest TO all
The story OF the empress nisat from
Paris / had from the lips 81 the late pr
Evans. the well known Franeo-Americsu
dentist. who lived and pTaeticea his pro-
fess.on for forty years In Paris. seated
one night IN bis library. over cigars and
eoffee, he referred 20 the episode, aud todd
me that he had been orerea sloe,oo0 tor IN
authentic narrative OF the escape. but had
declined since ENlsenie wished that u
shoula not 10 m,.lo public during her life
AS the scr Z his oli, old friend could
not, however. forbsar asking him some
questions, which gradually put me In pos
session OF the facts
Doctor. do you thing the empress appre
ciated the sacrifices you made for her
the fsct that you imperiled your life II
iAAln. Aer cut Of PARISH