The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-02-21
Selett Starr.
THE LADY IN THE CASE
OF THE LATE POPE

brother student, and as sucn Nc nhu po0h
introduced to the family, where he be-
came intimate, and spent happy hours OF
recreation.
Happy, happy were those hours, and
Cften, when many years had passed by
Plus TX, then surrounded by the splen'
dor of the Papal palace, pleasurably re-
called those happy hours of his youth J;
and often, in lonesome moods, on an APP
preaching eve, these reCollections lighted
up his soul. The beauty of Camilla De-
yoti was equal to her amiability and to
her accomplishments. Count Maatal
Ferretti, who largely shared her musical
talents, was charmed with Camilla's voice;
it seemed to him the voice of an angel,
bringing sweet things from unknown re-
gions and whispering holy secrets into
his ears. They read together the sub
lime verses of Tasso, and probably on
one of those occasions the young Count
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
culminate in pain and aftliction such as
were experienced by Francisco.
FROM ROMANCE TO REALITY,
With view to avoid these dangers,
Count Mastai determined on decided
course of action. He had been wont ar
dently and devoutly to attend to his stud.
dies, but subsequently he had neglected
them, and INDUCED himself in dreamy
existence of poetry and music, Mastal
had firmly resolved to free himself from
dangers, to which unsettled habits might
expose him. For this purpose he waited
on the Prince Barberini, who at that Pc
riod was Commander-in-C Chief OF the
PontifCal Guards, and solicited from that
officer the favor of being enrolled. The
Prince contemplated the young man for
some time with scrutinizing attitude,
and, shaking his cad, exclaimed;
"You a dragoon 1t seems to me,
Judging from your delicate appearance,
that the crown of priest would much
better beft you than the uniform OF a
dragon"
APPEALING TO HEADQUARTERS.
But Mastai was nothing daunted and
firmly adhered to his resolution. While
still smarting under the rebuke he direct
ed his steps straight TO the Vatican, there
to solicit from the Holy father what
Prince Barberini had 80 cruelty refused.
Being the son of man with high rank
in the Papal service, Mastai easily obtain
ed an audience. The benevolent Pope
listened good humoredly to Mastai's elo-
uuenCe, and readily aCceded to his wish
es. The youth obtained from the Holy
Father promise that the first vacancy
should be preserved for him, and special
orders were given that in the meantime
Mastai should be permitted to wear the
epaulettes of an ensign preparatory to
being initiated for military service.
PARTING OF THE LOVERS.
That same evening Mastai Ferretti met
his friends, bright in hopes and eloquent
in words. He narrated to the lovely Ca
milla the days experience, pictured to
her in glowing terms the prospect OF the
future, basing his hopes on the promise
he had obtained at the Vatican. Camilla
listened with the sweetest smiles, and
both pictured to themselves future of
the most unbounded happiness. The
evening closed as usual with music; never
had Camillas voice been sweeter, and
when, at an advanced hour, Mastai and
Camilla parted from each other both
fondly expressed adeu till tomorrow
evening. The evening of tomorrow
passed by and Camilla had waited in vain
for her friend. She waited the next day
and another day, but still Mastai did not
come. Camilla, full of grief and anxiety,
dared not inquire into the cause OF the
absence of her friend.
What could it be2 Was it that he had
deserted her?
Neither Camilla's mother nor her sister
were able to answer satisfactorily. Her
brother was not in Rome, or tidings might
have been obtained through him, but the
women were not even acquainted with
the whereabouts of Mastai's residence.
In the meantime young Devoti had taken
his departure as a missionary to foreign
lands. Camilla waited silently and
mourned over the sudden loss of dear
friend. But when day after day passed
by without even the remotest possibility
of receiving tidings, then she was over
come by grief, and eventually she was
stricken down with fever.
FLEEING FROM WoMAN's LOVE.
At the same time when Camilla was
suffering the height of anguish, Mastai
Feretti was kneeling at the feet of the
Holy Father, of whom he had solicited
and obtained an audience. Mourntully
and trembling he addressed the Pope
ga terrible misfortune has overtaken me;
a dreadful malady, from which suffered
in my early youth, and which the physi-
clans thought had abandoned me forev-
er, has again made its appearance. The
evening before last, while returning home
from friendly visit, l was suddenly seiz-
ed in the open street with an epileptic |
fit. In state of unconsCiousness l was
carried to hospital, where l found my
self the following morning, much injured |
and with broken heart. This misfor- !
tune, Holy Father, troubles my future |
and destroys my fondest wishes; itinter-
feres--" He was unable to give ut |
teranCe 10 his thoughts, and lowered his |
head.
ut interferes with your love-" said,
smypathetically, the Pope. "Is not that |
so, my son~
Mastai was able to reply only with a
flow of tears
The good Pope spread out his hands |
ar pronounced a blessing upon the |
kDeeling youth, and said, with solemn |
voice, THAT means, my son, that the love |
of God is placed higher than the love of |
man. He has given you a sign which |
implies that thou shalt turn away from |
worldly matters and turn your attention |
to the holy. My son, understand the |
bidding of the Lord. He desires that |
thou shalt not seek salvation in worldly |
things, but He beseeches you to be ser.
want at His altar. Do, then, as the Lord |
bids. Thou hadst desire to become
soldier in my body guard, but thou shalt
no q aoldiar IN tho bndu outord of tha