The Elbert County tribune., 1911-11-10
-

AA mentioning the usual heart af-
]: ! s q i
~ ia Av fairs of royalty, but 1t is an ex-
lIBkI 90 lNNI act term of purely German
liNlnlg I1El genealogical law, and means
IIW VI VI | legal and binding marriage that
does not raise un-royal wife
~ to royal rank.
Now, If false morganauc
marriage is the easiest thing imaginable and
true one dsadvantageous but quite possible
how shall sufficiently admire an emperor
who lifts little countess to be empress beside
him? Add an unstable throne, in ITSELF
newly mounted, in sore need of royal alliances:
add the bitter opposition OF his family, the
laugh of the world. the contempt of statesmen,
and the estrangement of partisans; make the
beloved one foreigner completely unpopular
with his people. and you will have the ele-
ments Of Napoleon HIS heroism in loving
Eugenie
Few kings since Cophetua have loved like
this.
Among so many royal loves that lacked de-
votion, 1t shines like a star
1t begins with gypsy at Madrid. Eugenie's
mother. widow, camarera mayor to the
queen. lived in her own house in the Plaza del
Angel.
One day-Eugenie being thirteen and a tom
boy-they refused to take her in the Prado
carriage promenade, which, with the opera
still remains the common ground where poor
proud families meet the great ones Of Madrid
as equals. The Countess de Montijo clung to
x.
Alone. Tomboy Eugene was sliding down
the banister She slid too strong banged
against the fy-screen front door, and fell mani
mate gypsy woman. passing. took the girls
head in her lap and brought her to. Then she
looked attentively at her and said:
THE senorita born under the open sky,
the night OF battle"
What" exclaimed the countess, returned
with the carriage. She was struck by the
truth of the words Thirteen years ago. at
Granada, earthquake had forced them to
camp a night in the garden, and Eugenie was
there prematurely born.
What will be her future?" asked the super
stitious mother
She will be queen" said the gypsy.
The prediction was bold. and beauty only
could lift the thirteen-year-old girl to its
realizaton but beauty had already done much
for that family.
So dreamed the mother. She herself had
been really poor girl, daughter of British
subject who had failed In business In Malaga.
His name was Kirkpatrick and he had long
been American vice-consul. He had married
one of two beautiful sisters, yet still poorer
see how hereditary beauty will force its way.
through four generations. from its unadorned
self to thronei
The first poor Spanish girl. Gallegros,
whose sole possession her beauty. Gre
vigne, French wine merchant of Malaga. mar
ried her and had two lovely daughters: and
two foreign consuls. French de Lesseps and
Scotch Kirkpatrick. lifted them by marriage to
the first rounds of the social ladder. From the
De Lesseps alliance came the grand Francais"
of Suez and Panama; but Kirkpatrick's wife
gave him a daughter of such rare charms that
a Spanish grandee, with a place at court
and of considerable family. married her for
love.
He duke. a marquis, viscount and
a baron, but the title by which he had been
known to the world was Count de Montijo.
He had two daughters fairer yet than mother.
grandmother or greatgrandmother, and he
died. Eugenie was one. her sister Pacca
the other.
On the thirteen-yearold girl the gypsy's pre-
diction made a formative impression. Con-
hrmng It, as she grew up she saw her elder
sister Pacca maria Francisca) make an un-
precedented match even in that family. Pacca
caught the rich and mighty Duke OF Alva
Higher than the Duke of Alva could only be
king.
Eugenie, growing up. refused brilliant Span
fish offers; first the Duke of Ossuna. then the
rich and handsome young Duke of Sesto.
Sesto in truth inspired her with "a certain
sympathy and admiration. He was SO attrac-
tive!" But 1t was not love. Deep in her heart
she loved dream prince. the unknown OF the
gypsy, endowed by her girls fancy with a thou
sand charming attributes She smiled at the
absurdity OF It, Where could such prince be?
Yet she held on from all other suitors
When her mother took her to Paris her
heart leaped at an unexpected premonition.
The handsome, derk-browed, careworn man,
still young, who as French president received
at the Elysee. became romantic figure in her
eyes Eugenie wished to attend presidential
reception. Her mother hesitated. 1t would
make them ridiculous with the mildewed smart
set.
But my father was officer of the great
Napoleon" said Eugenie. and she had her way.
The prince-president. weighed down with the