The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-08-29

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"No, no, holy father, you mistake me. This
painting is but type of my gratitude. I
give it to thee as pledge of my devotion to
one who has been my friend when all else was
dark. l look to thy forgiveness for my suit
I came to appeal to thy mercy. This work of
my hands is but an Introduction of my pray
ers, and to thine apostolic clemency 1 make
that prayer. Take my picture, listen to my
prayer, and give life and liberty to de Cas-
tro"
The Pope's countenance was softened. He
looked again upon the picture, and then once
more he turned his gaze upon the painter
at is wonderful picture" he said, "and
thou art wonderful child. You shall hear
from US again"
The Pope waved his hand as he spoke-his
| attendants gathered about him, and he soon
left the spot.
CHOW, good Master Marino," cried old Maud
fastening into the painters room, "bestir thy
self, for there 3 messenger from the Pope
waiting to see thee. Dost think the holy IA
| ther means thee good or eyil?'
s1 know not" uttered Luigi, trembling with
| conflicting emotions.
"The Lord grant that they be good?" ejacu-
| lated the woman, as Luigi turned from the
| room.
The painter mentally responded to the
PRAYER, but did not speak aloud. At the door
he found the messenger, but he would answer
| no questions He only bade the painter fol
| low him
Luigi put on his cloak and cap, and with
strangely beating heart he stepped out into the
street. For some time he followed his guide,
and at length they stopped at the door of a
| dwelling on the Corso.
sNow, sir painter, rap at his door, and await
| the result" said the messenger; sand in the
meantime put this paper away to look at when
convenient"
Luigi took the paper, and in the next mo-
ment he was alone. He raped at the door.
| 1t was opened by stranger, and he was bade
to enter He was conducted into richly fur
/ nished apartment where he was met by one
who extended trembling hand for him to
grasp.
"Luigi-my saviour"
| The painter looked up, and he knew that
the man whose hand he grasped, was John de
Castro. The poor nobleman was sadly chang
ed, but his countenance was not to be mista-
1 ken.
! "My noble, generous preserver," cried the
count, while the tears trickled down his pal
| lid cheeks, 'tell me how l shall bless thee for
| this"
Marino could not speak. He felt warm
hand upon his neck, and he heard another
| voice pronounce his name He turned and
| saw the angelic features of Irene.
"Luigi," she murn,ured, ''you have made a
heaven tor poor Irene.
Luigi Marino was all bewilderment. He had
a faint glimmeriug of the truth, but the scene
cane so powerfully upon him, that it took some
moments for him to shake off the stunning Ell
feet of the joyous blow.
"And are you saved ?" he at length asked,
gazing into the counts face.
eyes, yes, noble boy. The Pope has par
doued me, and he has told me ALL"
The painter sat down into chair, and Irene
was resting upon his bosom. His prayer OF
months was answered, and the fruition was
present with him.
Half an hour afterwards he thought of the
paper he had received from the messenger.
He took it from his pocket, and read as fol
lows:
"Your prayer Ia granted 1t was not your
picture that triumphed over our heart, but we
were moved by your gratitude. INNOCENT
"You will leave US no more," said the count
after he had seen the Popes note.
go, I can lie grateful, Luigi" cried de Cas-
tro, noticing the look of his younger preseryer
81 know where your heart is. Here-this is
yours-tal it with my blessing. But she
must not leave her father"
Hhe placed Irene's hand within that of Lui-
gi's as he spoke, and then he sat down and
gazed upon the happiness he had made.
The beautiful girl wound her arms about the
neck of her noble lover, and she was not long
in making him promise that he would not leave
them no more.
Luigi and Irene were marrid in Rome, but
John de Castro deemed it not prudent to re
main there long. Innocent x, had many ex
cellent quail. ties, but his foibles were hume
rous, and the count had no desire to remain
too near the vacillating pontif
; De Castro went to Aquila, and having sold
his estates, he passed on to Venice; where he
found home. Luigi and Irene went witt
him, and in their sweet companiouship, he
found bright and holy light 10 illumine ths
path of his declining years.
The "Martyrdon of st. Peter of Alexan
dria," is still in the Vatican at Rome, but the
rest of Marino's paintings are in Venice
where he found the home of his honorable
and happy manhood, and where he made him
self beloved by all who knew him. @
L