The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-08-08
ROMANCE OF HISTORY.

~ tstE carry fi&FL 81 tA*s fyUrfecNf "a
century thc Island 4 Cor-ica was a u ne
81 conteutioa between the naril ime Pc
public e Italy the Duchy ii SAVOY aad
tlle Kingdom If Fr4rce Tho iatter AZ
that tia.e was rulei by the shiYair
Fraacis the First. one 81 Ia mot re-
markah.e characters In hi.tory. HI
ambition was only equalle1 ty his rcck
le~~ auiscity, and he aloa~ of all the
PTitc,~ of hjs time Yfniured 20 break =
lance 4jt.tthe powerful Emperor Charles
tn Fifth who - di a~troG~ly defeated
HIM n Pavia III 1891 Ia tie preced
ing year King lraaois had "a quarrel
with his wife. who had reproa, ltci him
tor hi. follies One day madiened by
her taunt-. he said to his valet, Gaviui,
a Cor.icau:
"Ah, must g. rid of Her Majesty.
Her temper Is too bad am sure that
thc Holy Father will grant me IA di-
vorcc from her But where shall | find
a new wlfe -
Your Majesty has only to choose
among the most beautiful princesscs of
Europe" SAID Gavini
But there Is not single beautiful
princess in Europe" rejoincd the King.
almost angriIy. Amelia Of Savoy is
the only one that is not absolutely
homely. and hate her father 50 bitter.
" that | should be reluctant 10 enter
into union with any member Of his
family
If your Majesty will permit me, ="
said the willy Corsican. II could tell you
of a lady with royal blood in her veins.
who is young and handsome enough to
grace the throne of France by your
side"
And who is she :" asked the King
eagerly.
"Shc is the Marchioness Isolena Della
Balo"
Il never heard of her"
"Shc is the richest woman in Corsica.
where her ancestors, since time i'm
memorial. have owned most of the real
estate. and where they have been more
powerful than the real rulers of the
island ever were. Her grandmother
was IA niece of the Emperor Macmillan,
and she Is the last OF her race, your
Majesty
The last Of her race, Gavin, and
still unmarried -
Your Mai esty, there is strange tale
To this replied Gavini. About seven
years ago the Marchioncss, with her
aged father, was having a boat ride of
Aiacco A thunderstorm sprang up
and the frail bark was in danger of cap
sizing The old Marquis was frighten-
ed 10 death
60 Pray, my child he cried in bis
terror. pray 10 her who alone can save
us Pray 10 her, and promise to remain
unmarried unless king should come to
solicit your hand !
"Isolena took that pledge, and now
she Is mistress of immense estates, and
one of the most beautiful women III the
world"
The King, who acted as if he had al
ready got rid of his legitimate wife,
had 10y this time become deeply inter
ested in the subject.
Gavin" he said, how does this
Marehioness look Z"
Your Majesty. have truly never
seen lady worthier to adorn a throne
than she. She j. the fairest daughter
whom Italy. the land of pretty women,
ever gave birth TO. Tall, slender. ma
jcstic, with the complexion of marble,
aud features which Phidias would have
/ gladly chiselled in stone, she has on her
ripe lips the tempting smile of Cupid,
and IN her black eyes all the fire of the
/ goddess of love"
I In this manner the artful valet stim
/ ulated the desire of ms royal master,
( until the latter said % him:
q" | should like to make her acquaint-
ance bat that has TO be- done in very
! discreet manuer"
After hemming and having for long
while, Gavin suggested that be- him
self might 20 to Corsica. and make
overturcs Ia the beautiful MarchionesS.
The King eagerly embraced this offer.
You shall go. Gavin he cried
Go To Montpas. my treasurer. and
draw as many livres in gold as you
need
-" But Your Majesty" sail the valet,
money Is not sufficient for such mis-
sion ought 10 have 10 that END also
What :"
A position :"
What position :"
Il ought 10 toe clothed with the rank
Of a minister. your Majesty"
The King looked at his valet for q
minute snd without saying anything
Then he burst into laughter.
Gavin lie eAci-i,ned. you are the
mos, impudcut ra>cA, cver saw But
/ your idea II a gu3 one. Us, Yea
| low born villain >hsli far once ~ ss
my envoy To Corsica. rrevail upon the
1 Marchioness. hos.. charms you cxtol
/ sO enthusiastically. Ia come To- Paris.