Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-07-16

animated dissertation on the decline
OF the French drama, and slackened
his pace. glancing at the broad flight
of steps which leads up to the impos-
Ing front of this church.
II never pass this spot at night"
he observed in regretful tones, with
out recalling the fate Of poor Prince
Citron'"
Prince Citron!" ] exclaimed, com
pletely puzzled, and imagining him to
refer TO character in some burlesque.
And who was this prince of fruits.
IL one may ask"
His Excellency turned and glanced
at me in grave surprise.
us 1t possible that you have never
heard of this nickname, which Paris,
In testing moment, bestowed upon
the prince of Orange? l thought that
you were too old a boulevardier not
to be familiar with it. But it is only
another proof OF how quickly such
things are forgotten"
Now you speak of it, l remember
having heard something about this
prince" l murmured.
He was, OF course, the heir to the
throne Of the Netherlands" remarked
my companion, beginning to walk on
again. '.and, II he lived, would have
succeeded to William III, instead OF
Queen. Wilhelmina"
But was he not young man with
terrible reputation, who was COM
PEELED to live abroad on account Of the
scandal created by his proceedings?"
The ambassador frowned, and
Jerked his shoulders impatiently.
Wrong. quite wrong" he replied
with warmth. THAT is rather the
effect which vulgar gossip has mis-
taken for the cause. know well what
the Parisians, so easily deceived by
appearances, thought of this unhappy
young man, who exposed himself so
freely to harsh judgments during the
years which he spent on the boule-
wards But chance led me into reIa-
lions with him which caused me to
learn the trouble underlying that
wrecked life, tragedy to which only
three persons possessed the key. How
ever, we are nearly at my hotel Pay
me the compliment of coming in for a
short time, and as ! well know your
Unsuitable curiosity. will in return
tell you the true story Of Prince
Citron'
1T was on just such night as
this, some years ago." began the am
bassador, as soon as we were comfort.
ably settled in the smoking room OF
his luxurious mansion, land King vii
iiam's first wife was still alive You
are aware that it was his second wife
who is the mother Of Wilhelmina?"
Il had forgotten 1t, but no matter.
"It is, on the contrary, fact which
must be borne in mind" retorted his
Excellency. Il was returning home
from the theater. past midnight As !
approached the Madeleine, / saw o
small crowd collected at the foot OF the
steps. Crossing over to find out what
had taken place, found myself on the
outside of ring Of women. the most
abandoned wretches of the quarter
who had gathered round the figure
OF man lying ON the bottom step 81
the fight. apparently intoxicated be
yond the power to move.
THE spectacle of this unfortunate
seemed to have strangely excited tho
women, who were hurting at him tn,
vilest insults in their horrible vocabu
larry. Incensed at the behavior OF thes,
hays. roughly pushed my way through
them to the side of their victim, who's,
clothes, disordered and covered will
mud, as they were, seemed to be thos,
of a man of position. The wretche,
creature was lying on one side, nj
left hand outstretched, with which h,
seemed to be trying feebly to war,
on the foul epithets of his tormentors
4 stopped down over him. and LITE,
his head to the light
1T wahss Prince Citron.'
You will easily figure to yoursel
the horror of discovering the heir +
q famous monarchy, the descendan
OF William the Silent, in this deplol
able situation. ! had not failed b
hear some of the dark reports as t
this young mans career; nevertheless
at such q moment the only sentimen
which inspired me was that of tn
most profound pity.
"Sternly rebuking the filthy hags
who skunk away before my reproachei
j raised the prince to his feet, an
supported him down to the edge of tn
pavement, where perceived an empt
fiacre coming up. Into this / assiste
Alexander-to give him his prope
name-who instantly fell like a 10
upon the cushions. Then / gave tn
driver my own address, and we pre-
ceeded to the house near the Rue d
Rivoli, in which at that time OF
cupied a small fiat.
During the short drive, Prince Ale1
ander lay absolutely motionless, an
without uttering sound. But fror
time to time caught a CLEAN of dul
intelligence in his bloodshot eyes
which we're turned to me, as IL he wer
trying to comprehend who | was. an
what accident had brought him int
my company.
When, we got to the house, 1t wa
necessary for me to engage the sci
vices of the concierge to get the III
fortunate youth upstairs to my apart
ment, which was on the third fool
There l found that my valet had n
tired, circumstance which / did nc
regret. got my strange visitor con
forfaD1V settled rnoO a couch.