The morning call., 1891-04-20
4 ROMANCE OF THE DAY.
1t Proves That Chivalric Devotion Is Not
A1tnOathar naad.

1t Proves That Chivalric Devotion Is Not
Altogether Dead.
Who will say that this practical age has
killed all romance? The following narrative
is true one, and is vouched for by very high
authority, says the New York Tribune: One
of our rich oil kings Tor If was not oil he was
king of something rich) went to Paris a
little over year ago, taking with him MS
wife and his beautiful daughter, a lovely and
child-like maiden, who showed not the
slightest trace of resemblance to the worthy
people, her parents. All that money could
do to develop this charming creature had
been lavished upon her.
She could sing most sweetly, play with
charming Interpretation, dance like an
houri, draw ana paint with un common
talent-in short, she was perfection, and
her parents sin. ply idolized her. She had
not been long in Paris when she attracted
the attention of young Prince H., heir of one
OF the oldest families in Italy. Through an
| eminent American whom tine Prince num-
bered among his acquaintance. he obtained
an introduction to the young lady, became
her devoted cavalier. surrounding her with
attentions and ShOwering upon her flowers,
bonbOns, every thing that the world deems
IL permissible for young man to bestow
upon a maiden. The father, however,
viewed his attentions with cold dislike, and
finally took his daughter away from Paris.
Our American family found pleasant
quarters in Naples, and thither the Prince
followed them, renewed his attentions, and
finally waited upon the father to request
permi ssion to win the girl for his wife. He
met prompt and decided refusal. Dlsap-
pointed and astOnished, the Prince, VINO
was young. handsome and rich, and whose
title was Of the Oldest, requested an explain
alton. II have three reasons" said the
sturdy American, leach one of which would
be sufficient to settle the question. In he
first place | would never give my daughter
to q Roman Catholic; secondly, she shall
never marry foreigner; and last, and by
no means least, she is all we have, and her
mother and l could never consent to be
separated from her." In vain the Prince
pleaded; the father was obdurate, and
again the girl, who seems TO have been
wonderfully passive in the affair, was taken
away-this time back to Paris.
Prince u. remained at home disconsolate.
And now comes the part of the story which
is equally disappointing and romantic. The
girl died after few days of sudden ilness.
OF course she ought 10 have lived and mar
ried the Prince, but this is a true story and
we cannot change the facts. mutual
friend wired TO the Prince, who arrived.
however, to see the face OF her whom he
had loved so passionately and suddenly.
Meeting Oh the common ground of grief TO
the loved and |, ST. the Prince and the father
were reconcied. A large snip was char
tered and its largest cabin beautifully fitted
up as a chapel. in which, upon bier in
font of the altar was placed the coffin con-
tanning the embalmed body of the dead girl.
Then the ship, with the father and lover OH
board, set sail for home
All through the long voyage the candles
are kept burning, and daily service is held
in the mOrtuary chapel, which the two
mourners invariably attend. The million
aire owns his own docks. and the stately
ship sails into the harbor, coming to anchor
at the very portals of the maiden'S own
dearly loved home. On the dock are 1000
workmen of her fathers, with Grape on hat
and sleeve, waiting for their dead Slowly
the coffin is lowered to the boat; reverently
it is carried ON the land, where stand the
many men with barred heads 10 receive it.
Very carefully and tendcrly it is lifted by
six chosen bearers and slowly and solemnly
it is borne up the long avenue of the house.
The father aud the Prince become init
mate through their weird journey, and in
their mutual sympathy walk together in the
procession, the men forming two by two
and falling into rank. The last rites are
paid the body committed to its native earth,
and without one look at the New World the
Prince takes steamer the day after for
Europe