Connecticut western news., 1873-07-18
A Romance in Real Life.


 A foreign correspondent relates the following story: "Paul Starns, the late clerk of the Alabama Reconstruction Convention, has been soiourning in Flu rope. At Rome he made the acquain- tance of Iscippi Geza, one of the wealth. jest and most influential Hungarian noblemen, who was about to depart for Naples, where his family were passing the summer. The handsome American had made most favorable impression upon the royalist, and was invited to accompany him to Naples. Iscippi Geza, the Count of Temesvar, found his lady in very feeble health, and the physician had given up all hope. A few weeks afterwards the Countess died, and Paul Starns had meanwhile SO en, deared himself to his aristocratio friend that another invitation was rendered and accepted to accompany the Count to his castles in Hungary. Only short drive from the City of Temesvar lies the beautiful castle of Radowitz, the an- cestral seat of the Gezas. It was pre- sided over by the young Countess Paula, a lady of the pure Hungarian type, the only child and heir of Iscippi Geza. The young American was quite stricken by the intense beauty of the lady, and before three weeks elapsed, the two were as friendly as if they had grown up together. During the hunting sea- son distinguished guests arrived at the castle, among@whom Prince Esterhazy, of Moravia, was the most prominent. The Prince was about thirty years of age, and had lately been promoted to a captaincy of the Guards. Major-General Prince Esterhazy, the captains father, and Count Geza, had been the most in- innate friends for almost life time, and both desired to still stronger tie the bonds of friendship by uniting their two children. This was the main object of the Princes visit, for the necessary preliminary arrangements had long age been agreed upon by the two parents. Paul Starns had meanwhile cared noth- ing at all for the distinguished guests, but had mainly passed his time in study ing modern languages. To his utter surprise, Count Geza insisted upon his joining the dinner party one certain day, and the old gentleman was quite enthu- siastic, when he continued: "We have a great surprise for our friends to-day, and you must witness the proudest event of my life. . But the surprise was quite different from that expected. 1 Captain Esterhazy proposed and was fatly refused. A bursting bombshell could not have created more profound l sensation, than Countess Paula's dec- laration that she would never marry the Captain. Some angry words follow ed, and Captain Esterhazy alluded to American intruders and beggars. Some | buster about duel followed. Finally, Paul Starns left tor Italy. Over a year had since elapsed, and the Countess was in so feeble health that journey to Italy had been strongly advised. She had consistently refused to see any of the Esterbazy family again, and Count Geza was inconsolable wh en he saw the suferings of his only child. At Rome, 3 sudden change overcame the Count ess ; she regained her health, and Count Geza was not little surprised when he was one day informed that she had seen Paul Starns in the theatre, and that she would marry him Or not marry at all. On the 18th of May the wedding took place."