Sharp County record., 1915-06-25
"PRINCE CITRON"


cast aside all restraint, and abandoned
himself to all kinds Of excesses, with
out even attempting to keep up that
outward decorum which is the moral
ity of princes
There were few crimes which had
not been laid to the charge of this
degenerate scion of the house OF Or
ange, who appeared to take a delight
in outraging public opinion. The worst
things which were said about him 1t
would be impossible for me to repeat,
and | firmly believe they were un-
founded; but enough was known or
suspected to make his friendship con-
sidered a doubtful honor; and, in
short, but for his exalted rank, the
doors of society would have been long
ago shut in his face.
Such was this miserable being, on
whom, nevertheless, the eyes Of Euro
pean statesmen had long been anxious
ly fixed, and whose life, by strange
turn of events, had become Of the
greatest value to France. If you
will cast your eye over the map OF
Europe you will perceive, nesting
between the frontiers of France, Ger
many and Belgium the little state of
Luxembourg. At the time Of which |
speak, Luxembourg was united to the
Dutch kingdom by a similar tie to that
which formerly connected Hanover
with Great Britain; that is to say,
William III of the Netherlands was
also Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
"As in your case, however the laws
regulating the succession were differ
ent in the two countries. In Holland the
crown was capable Of being inherited
by female in the absence Of direct
male heirs, whereas in Luxembourg
the Salic constitution prevailed, under
which no female can ever inherit. Con-
sequently when William III died with
out leaving a son, the Grand Duchy
was separated from the Netherlands,
| just as Hanover became separated
from your country on the accession
Of Queen Victoria. King William left
q daughter who inherited the Dutch
crown, while Luxembourg passed
to the house of Nassau. But at this
time there was prospect Of the union
Of the two territories being maintained
in the person Of the young prince who
had so strangely come beneath my
roof. France was interested in this
question, because 1t was feared that
II Luxembourg passed from under the
sway of a Dutch monarch, 1t would
fall into the system Of the German
Empire, to which 1t had formerly be-
longed, and thus increase the power
OF our relentless enemies. The Ger
man government on its side earnestly
desired this event, which has since
come to pass. You will now compre-
hend what important interest CEN
tered In tho life of Prince Citron,
this dlsreputable waif OF the boule-
wards.
"You will acquit me, feel certain,
Of any intention to profit by the acci-
dent which had caused me to become
the protector of the prince, So little
did ! expect that was about to be-
come the possessor Of secret sulli-
cient to have lighted the flames OF
war, that | was merely waiting till
my guest had sufficiently recovered to
offer him my escort to his own resi-
dence.
"The flrst sign ] had that ho was
coming to himself was finding his eyes
obstinatoly fixed upon mo In q long
gaze. No sooner did he perceive that
his look was returned, however, than
deep flush suifused his face, no
threw UP his hands with that pathetic
gesture had observed when first
came upon him, and uttered sorrow
full groan.
II sprang to my feet and approached
him,
81 fear your Royal Highness Is un'
we'll, | said, exsggerating the defer
once of my manner In order to soothe
his selfrespect, so cruelty wounded by
the events Of tho night. IL there Is
anything which II is In my power to
do ! respectfully request that you
will honor mo with your commands
"'Who aro your ho asked, with re'
servo.
IL explained to him, dwelling on
my connection with tho DUAL dorsay
IN order TO inspire him with conn
denco. went on TO add;
Accident caused mo to come NJ
at tho moment that your Royal High
moss was overcome by Illness on the
boulevard, and took tho liberty oI
bringing you TO my apartment to TO
cover, es had not the honor to know
your address.
"He sat up on the couch, and thrust
his dsordered hair back from his
forehead, while ho retortod morosely:
81 was not Ill, was-woll. hardly
myself You found mo lying on the
| atana 40 tha phurph surrounded by