Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-06-24


cast aside all restraint, and abandoned
himself to all kinds of excuses, 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 delight
In outraging public opinion. The worst
things which were said about him it
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 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
iy fixed, and whose life. by a strange
turn OF events, had become of the
greatest value to France. IL 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 l
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 Sale constitution prevailed, under
which no female can ever inherit. Con-
sequently when William iii died with
out leaving 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
daughter who inherited the Dutch
crown. while Luxembourg passed
to the house of Nassau But at this
time there was a 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 it was feared that
ii Luxembourg passed from under the
sway of a Dutch monarch, ii would
fall into the system of the German
Empire, to which it had formerly be-
longed, and thus increase the power
of our relentless enemies. The Ger
man government on it's side earnestly
desired this event, which has since
come to pass. You will now compre-
bend what important interest CEN
tered in the life of Prince Citron,'
this disreputable 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 I expect that was about to be-
come the possessor of a secret suffi-
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 first sign l had that he was
coming to himself was finding his eyes
obstinately fixed upon me in a long
gaze. No sooner did he perceive that
his look was returned, however, than
a deep flush suffused his face, he
threw UP his hands with that pathetic
gesture / had observed when I first
came upon him, and uttered a sorrow
full groan.
Il sprang to my feet and approached
him.
fear your Royal Highness is I'M
we'll / said, exaggerating the defer |
ence Of my manner in order to soothe |
his self-respect, SO cruelty wounded by |
the events OF the night If there is |
anything which 1t is in my power to |
do. l respectfully request that you |
will honor me with your commands
WHO are you?' he asked, with re-
serve.
4 explained to him, dwelling on |
ny connection with the Quai d'Orsay,
n order to inspire him with conf
fence. / went on to add:
Accident caused me to come I'D
1t the moment that your Royal High
less was overcome by illness on the
and took the liberty of
bringing you to my apartment to re-
over, as had ma the honor to know
your address,
He sat up on the couch, and thrust
lis disordeTed hair back from his
orehead, while he retorted morosely:
II was not i'll; was--well, hardly
myself. You found me lying on the
teps Of the church, surrounded by
hose horrible women
And he groaned afresh at the recol-
ection.
1t is not for me to contradict your
iighness,' | responded mildly; but
hould there ever be question raised
IS to this affair-which | do not anti
ipate-I shall adhere to my opinion
II the same.
AS I said this I observed a milder