Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-02-09
.AIefan0rla 0azette
SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY ..
The PODe's TdyIlic Love.


ture so fervent and constant as to cause him
forget the difference in their respective station
of life which seemingly separated them iron
each other. The young lady was the beautiful
daughter of the Widow Devoti, at whose hous
the Pope, then Count Mastai, had, during sew
eral months, been daily and welcome visitor
Happy. happy were those hours and often
when many years had passed by, Plus a. thel
surrounded by the splendor of the Papal palace
pleasurably recalled those happy hours OF hi!
youth; and often, in lonesome moods, on ar
approaching eve, these rccoleetons lighted ur
his soul. The beauty of Camilla Devoti Was
equal to her amiabity and to her accomplish.
meuts. Count Mastai Ferretti who largely
shared her musical talents, was charmed with
Camia's voice; it seemed to him the voice ol
an angel, bringing sweet tidings frem unknown
regions and whispering holy secrets into bis
ears. They read together the sublime verses
of Tasso, and probably on one Of those occa.
sions the young Court was suddenly reminded
of the fate Of Francisco di Rimini, who also
read With her lover tales of love, and it was
then that he vowed these readings should not
oulminate in pain and stftction such as were
experienced by francisco.
With view to avoid these dangers Count
Mastai determined on decided course Of ac-
ton. For this purpose he waited on the Prince
Barberini, who at that period was Commander
10 Chief of the Pontifcll Guards, and solicited
from that officer the favor of being enrolled.
The Prince oonten plated the young man for
sometime with q scrutinizIng attitude, and,
shaking his head, exclaimed -
You Dragon! It seems to me, judging
from your delicate appearance, that the gown
of priest would much better befit you than the
Uniform of a dragoon. T."
But Mas,ai was nothing daunted, and firmly
adhered to his resolution. While still smartog
under the rebuke he directed bis steps straight
to the Vatlcao. there to solicit from the Holy
Father what Prince Barberini had so cruelty
refused. Being the son Of man with high
rank 10 the Papsl service Mastai easily obtain
ed an audience. The benevolent Pope listeued
good hunorcdy to Mastai's c!oquence and
readily acceded to his wishes The youth OBJ
tanned from the Holy Father promise that the
first vacancy should be reserved for him. and
special orders were given that 10 the meantime
Mastai should be permitted to wear the epau.
lettes of an ensgo preparatory to being Initial.
ed for military sersic,.
That same evening Mastai Ferretti net his
friends, bright in hopes and ecqu:nt 10 words.
He narrated to the lovely Camilla the days's
experience, pictured to her 10 glowing terms
the prospect OF the future, basing his hopes on
the promise he had obtained ut the Vatican.
Camilla li5teaed with the sweetest smiles, and
both pictured to themselves future of the
most unbounded happioess. The evening
closed as usual with music; never had Camilla's
voice been swceter, and when, at an advanced
hour, Mastai and Camilla parted from each
other both fondly expressed adieu till TO- morrow
evening. The evening of the morrow passed
by and Camilla had waited 10 vain for her
friend. She waited the next day and another
day, but still Mastai did not como. Camilla,
full of grief and anxiety, dared not inquire into
the cause of the absence of her friend.
What could it bo? Was it that ho had de-.
serted her?
Neither Camils's mother nor her sister wore
able to answer satisfactorily. Camilla waited
silently and mourned over the sudden loss of q
dear friend. But when day after day passed by
without oven the remote5t possibility Of receiV-
ing tidings, then she was overcome BY grief and
eventually she was stricken down with lever:
At the same time when Camilla was suffering
the height of anguish Msstai Ferretti wss kneel
ing at the feet of the Holy Father, of whom he
had solicited and obtained an audience. Mourn
fully and trembling he addressed the Pope:-
"a terrible misfortune has overtsken me; q
dreadful malady, from which I suffered in my
early youth, and which the physicfaas thought
had abandoned me forever, has again made its
appearance. The evening before last, while re-
turning home from friendly visit was sud-
denly seized in the open street with an epileptic
fit. In n state Of unconsciousness was carried
to hospital, where I found myself the follow.
ing morning, much injured and with broken
heart. This misfortune, Holy Father. troubles
my future aad destroys my fondest wishes; it
interferes-." Ho WAS unable to give utter.
ance to his thoughts, and lowered his head.
1t interferes with your love- said, sympa.
theticslly, the Popc. lis not that SO. my son p
Mssta was ablo 10 reply only with aow Of
tears.
Tho good Pope spread out his hands and pro.
nounced blessing upon tho kneeling youth and
said, with solemn voice, THAT means my, son
that the love God is placed higher than the love
Of man. He has given you sign which i'm
plies thou shalt turn away from worldly
matters snd turn your attention TO tho holy. My
son, understand the bidding of the Lord, who
desires that thou ahalt not seek salvation il
worldly things, but He Eeseeches thee to be s
servant at His altar. Do, then, as the Lord bids
Thou hsdst desire to become soldier in my
body guard, but thou shall be a soldier in tn
body guard of the Lord Turn to the Hol.
W Virgia Of Loretto, bend thy knees and solici
conValescence affirm to her thy resolution tha
thou wilt faithfully devote thyself to to the ser
| vice of the altar and thou shalt received convs
lescence"
The youth, who had remained on his kneez
kissed the golden cross on the Holy Father
slipper. Cuoked with tears and emotion b
said, II will 90 and do as thou blddest me-.
And the following morning the young pale
| faced pilgrim, clad in black gown, provide
| with a long staff. the emblem of the pilgrim
and the rosary hanging from his girdle, turne
his back upon the Eternsl City and bent hi
wsy toward Leretto, there to solicit. accordia
to the holy bidding, his conyslescence from tn
Holy Virgin. Month after month passed by
| Camilla Devoti looked in vain for the return {
her lost friend, for whom she had wept while Q
her bed of sickness. Her pride was deepl
wounded and she would probably not have It
covered, but that she remained strong and fri
in the resolution not outwardly to show he
grief. Nobody should know fer whom she We
At length, following tho counsels Of her mothe
Camilla yielded to TN ctfer in marriage made
her by the young Baron Cannuccini. Encouras
| ed by Csmia's smiles the Baron ventured
press his suit. But Csmlla's heart YVES still VI
decided; she calmly replied, Grant me thre
dsys for consideration. After the lapse of thre
DAYS you shall hear my decision.
| While deeply absorbed in thought and balan