The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-07-08
ROMANCE OF HISTORY.
IsoIena Of Corsica Wlly yalet's NJ

In the early part OF the fourteenth
century the Island Of Corsica was
bone of contention between the mari
time Republics of Italy, the Dueby oil
Savoy and the Kingdom of France.
| The latter, at that time, was ruled by
the cnivalrous Francis the # rst, one OF
| The most remarkable characters In ms
tory. ..H .u
| His ambition was only cqualed by his
reckless audacity, and he alone OF all
Princes of his time ventured to break q
lance with the powerful En- peror Charles
the Fifth. who so disastrously deleated
lin at PaVia, in 1921.
In the preceding year, King Francis
had quarrel with his wife, VINO had re-
preached him tor his intidelities. One
day. .,inaddened by her taunts, he said
| to his valet, Gavini, Corsican:
| "Ah, must get rid of her Majesty,
Her temper is TOO bad. / am sure that
| the Holy FaIher will giant me a divorce
lfiom ner. But where shall lind new
lwife~
! "Your Majesty has only to choose
among
| THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PRINCEssEs
OF Europe" salu GavIni.
| "But there is not q single beautiful
Princess IN Europe" rejoIned the King
am ,st angrily. "Amelia OF Savoy is
tue Only one that is not absolutely
homely, aud hate her father so bilte1ly
that | should be reluctant TO enter into
| A union wan any member of his family )"
I "It your Majesty will permit me-" said
the why Corslcan, IL could tell you Of a
lady with royal blood in her veins, who
IS Young and handsome enough to grace
the throne oil France by your side"
| "And who is shew asked the King,
eagerly.
Ballu."
IL never heard Of her."
"She is the richest woman in Corsica
where her ancest ors, since time imme.
moral, have owned most OF the real
estate, and where they have been more
powerlul than the real rulers OF the
lisland ever were. Her grandmother was
a niece OF the Emperor Maxim tHan; and
she is the last ol her race, your Majesty"
"The last OF her race, GaYlni, and sLIll
unmarrieq!'
aYour Majesty, there is strange tale
to this" replied Gavini. ABOUT seven
years ago tue Marchioness, with her
aged lather, was having boat ride Oh
| Aiaceio. A thunderstoi m sDrang up,
and the frail bark was in uanger OF cap.
sizing. The old Marquis was frightened
TO death.
"tPray, my child,' he cried in his ter
ror. spray TO Her alone who can save Us
PRAY TO Her, and promise to remain 8
virgin, unless a king should come to so
lici4 your handP
"Isolena took that pledge, and nov
she il IN stress OF immense estates, ant
one of Tue most beautiful women i'll thu
world"
THE AMoRoUS KING,
who acted as il he n.td already got riC
of mis- legitimate wife, nad by this tim
become deeply interest d i'll the subject
"Gavini," lie said, show does this Mar
: chioness lookp
"YUur Maj ssty, have truly never seel
a LADY wortnier to adorn throne thai
she. she is the fairest daughter whom
Italy, the land of pretty women, eve
gaye birth TO. Tall, slender, majestic
with a complexion OF marble, and lea
l lures when PnidIas would have gladl
chIseled III stone, she has on her rip
ljps the tempting smile OF Cupi /, and il
her black eyes all the fire of the GOODIES
ofioye."
s In this manner the artful valet stint
4 laled the desires Ct his royal master
until the latter said to him:
II should like to make her acquaint
ancts DuI tndI mas W We uoHS III VeI
discreet manner"
Alter hemmiDg and having for lon
while, Gavin suggested that he himsel
q might go to Corsica, and make overture
to the beautiful Marchioness.
The King eagerly embraced this Offel
, "You shall 20, Gayini," he cried. ''G
to Montpas, my treasurer, and draw Il
many llyres In GOLD as you needv
.But, your Majesty" said the valet
; "money is not sufficient for sucn mis-
sion. I ought to nave to that end ais
-
"What?'
GA pOsitiOnV
"What positIonp
81 ought to be clothed with the rank {
minister, your Majesty"
The King looked AZ his valet for mil
ute without saying anything. Then h
burst into laughter.
"Gavlni," he exclaimed, "you are
THE MOST MPEDENT RASCAL
l ever saw. But your idea is good on,
Yes, you low-born villain, shall ior enc
Igo as my envoy to Corsica. Preya
upon the Marcnioness, whose charm
YOU extol SO iastIcally, to come t
; Paris, and shall reward you right ro!
, ally" ,
On the following day Gayini, to whol
royal credentials mad been given, to tn
dlsmay OF the Kings Minister of Stat,
set out for Corsica. He had laRg
retinue of servants, and acted in periet
keepIne with the exalted pOsi,l0n
which his master had 50 suddenly raise
) him.
In due course 6i time he arrived
Aiaceio, and called with all his atten
ants upon the Marchioness Isolena Del
Ballo.
He had not exaggerated her charm
She was, indeed, a most charming al
attractive woman,
Upon presenting the credentials
, her, he said:
.My royal master, your Exeellenc
has intruStsd me to bring about mol
: cordial relations between France an
lhe island OF which y9u are mistress,
aot.by Divine right, at least ny the rigl
ei your
SURPRISING BEAUTY,
as we'll as by virtue vi Tie lime-honofe
1 claims OF yeur ancestors"
, The eompIment was not lost upon II
, handsome osesture. shs dlsnissed ti