The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-12
ks LOVE STORY.


the late David Williamson, Of Lexington
Manor" the London correspondent Of the
Cincinnati Enquirer relates the only true
love story Of Plus *, as related BY the
Baroness de Kinsky, the Holy Fathers
intimate friend.
The young Count Giovanni Mastai Fer.
etti, the story says, a native Of sinigaglia
met and loved at Rome, Camilla Devoti.
the lovely and accomplished daughter oil
q widow lady, and 10 whom he had been
especially drawn by her marvellous sing.
Ing. They read the poets together, and
II came to pass that the young nobleman
desired TO be 4 soldier, 70 be more worthy
Of his promised bride. He applied 10
Prince Barberini, commander Of the Pa.
pal Body Guard, and was repulsed some
what rudely with the remark that his
slender frame was better fitted for 4
priests garb than q dragoon's. The
young count appealed TO the Pope, Pious
VII, was promised his commission, and
spent q happy evening with Camilla.
The next day he did not visit her, o
the next. Weeks passed, and he seemed
to have disappeared from the city. She
fell sick Of fever at last, and on that same
day the count knelt before the Pope and
told his story. He had been stricken
with epilepsy in the street. With this
disease hanging over him be dared not
marry. The Holy Father babe him in.
terpret the affection as q token Of the
will Of God directing his thought heay.
onward and his life to the church. He
sent the young count a pilgrim TO the
shrine OF Loretto to learn Gods will.
No tidipgs came TO Camilla, and after
some little time, knowing that a hidden
yet good and proper reason for this seem.
ing desertion must exist, aud yielding to
the earnest persupions Of her mother,
she consented to listen to the solicitations
Of the Baron Camucini, who sought her
hand in marriage. II strangely happen.
ed on that evening, while Camilla and
her mother were sitting together in their
quiet and comfortable home talking over
the past and the future events. the door
was suddenly opened, and the figure Of a
young man clad in black stood before
them. The mother Of Camilla, looking
up, Immediately recognized the face as
that Of Count Mastai, and gave a cry Of
Joy, but he remained perfectly silent and
notionless. Camilla's heartimmediately
sank, for she quickly dbcerned that he
was dressed in a gatb Of 4 priest. She
now saw that al. was ended between
them. The Signora Devoti, not noticing
in the darkness Of the evening the priestly
robes he wore, asked quickly, "Where
have you been all this time, and why have
you SO deserted us?' ~ have been on a
pilgrimage to Loretto," he quietly re.
piled, "and subsequently to the Convent Of
St. Agnes, where | was anointed a priest"
The sisnora Devo,i nearly tainted on
hearing these words, so unexpected BY
her; but Camilla remained perfectly
calm, and forcing a smile, said, in her
gentle voice, "lt is we'll that you have
come to me; heaven has rent you in my
hour Of need to give me counsel and
support. Ny brother is absent, and l
have none other; will you take his place,
as his old friend and companion, and ad.
wise mel The Baron Camucini seeks
my hand 10 marriage, my mother ear
uestly wishes it; wha. shall | do? Will
you counsel me how to act?" 81 would
strongly advise that you accept him as
as your husband" said the young priest,
"for | know him well as being most amia.
bic and honorable, having every quality
to insure your future happiness. l will
unite you in holy wedlock 10 the man
you will love, and who will prove a true
and tender husband to yon, but let 1t be
soon, for | cannot tarry long; | have my
mission TO accomplish, and have CON
but TO say farewell. In a few days |
leave for the Convent Of Sinigsglia, the
city Of my early childhood, there to pre-.
pare myself before leaving on a long
journey, as ] intend to prepare for and
devote myself TO a monastic lie"
few days later Camilla Devoti knelt
before the altar by the side Of the Baron
Camucini, and the holy rites were per
formed by the young priest, Mastai Fe.
retti, who, alter joining their hands, fer.
vently prayed that God would bless them
and theirs forever.
Years alter, when time in its many
changes had placed Count Mastai on the
Papal throne as Plus TX. at one Of the
usual Thursday receptions at the Vati.
can, when ladies oil rank are presented
10 His Holiness, the Baroness de Kinsky,
an old friend OF Cardinal Antonelli's pre-
scented u plain and venerable looking
matrou, whose features still bore traces
Of great beauty. She happened to be
among the last presented, and IN her
name being mentioned an emotion was
visible on the expressive face Of the Pope.
The lady bent her knee for his benedic-
ton, aud, looking quietly into his face,
said, with q voice full OF the sweetness
and melody OF other days, "Holy Father
| have come to beg Of you great favor
that you receive my grandson into your
Garde d'Elite. They hesitate to receive
him because OF his delicate appearance;
but he Is we'll and strong, and most eager
TO devote his life 10 the Holy Father"
Having thus expressed her desire, she
showed a slight emotion, but casting her
eyes upon the ground, awaited quietly
his reply. Plus TX well Understood how
she felt from his own past experience, SO
kindly laying his hand upon her white
head 10 benediction, he said, in gentle
tones, ~ know too we'll the pain and NOR.
tifcation Of such a refusal, having once
experienced 1t. Your wish shall be full
filled, and your grandson shall at once
enter my Garde d,Elite." After speaking
he then quickly walked toward one Of the
sidewalks, and intimated TO y Of the
Camerieli, who prepared TO follow him,
that he wished to be alone.
The following day, meeting the Baron
ess de Kinsky, he said to her, ~ know
that you are an old and dear friend Of the
Baroness Camucini, and that she has
spoken TO you OF the days gone by, aud |
will also tell You, my daughter, Of a secret
that until now has long lain hidden In my
heart, but which now the old man may
release from it, prison and consecrate rs
last salute 10 bis early friend.n 10 then
~recounted the reason why he had left
Camilla 80 suddenly at the time, and
why he had taken the priestly VOWS, fol-
lowing, as he believed, a direct call from
God. "rell her now" he said, "it was =
trial the Holy Father imposed upon me
that | was to keep silence and give no
explanation Of my actions; that at the
| - r.. L.a n-I T. III. -...N