Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-10-30
4 LOVE CHARM.
BY BARONESS Won BUELow

Ma chere Berthe" The loving
tone IN which she used to call me
60 still echoes in my heart ! shall
never forget the hours ! spent with
her in her magnificent palace in the
Eternal City. From its window, one
could see all Rome and the Tiber.
Sunshine sparklcd in the castle Of
St. Angelo. on the roofs and even
on the aloe shrubs from the walls, and
the blue vaults from the Italian ky
rose above the whole scene. When
ever | was permitted TO visit her |
used TO await her appearance IN
large. lofty hall hung with Gobelin
tapestry; the ceiling was vaulted with
splendid stucco ornamentation. The
fgares in the tapestry appeared 80
lifelike in their well-preseryed tints
that they filled me with uneasy dread.
After a time one Of the white, pol
ished folding doors with gilt handle
would open and admit a small and
exceedingly graceful figure, such az
may occasionally be seen among fam
lilies Of true blue blood. Though still
youthful in form and manner, and at
q certain distance in feature also, she
made a curious "chifonee' impress
sion. She appeared 10 me almost
like a sprite, and even in broad day
light like one Of the figures in the
tapestry room came to life. But a.
she spoke the words Ma tres chere
Berthe" the apparition vanished and
the old marchesa stood before me.
We used to converse in French,
which she pronounced with the in
imitable Italian accent, as all Ital-
ians do, even When they belong to
the great world, and she really was
"grande dame" "principessa" Of
royal lineage. Her u,band, the old
marchese, still occupied high posi-
ton in the state, although he was al
ready old and fragile. Whenever |
came he never failed to greet me and
would also pay his wife some delicate
attention, placing footstool under
her feet or fetching her cushion.
This she would acknowledge with
courtly grace and grateful smile,
which, however, much resembled the
fixed smile of a mask, for every line in
her face was hidden by powder. Yet
il touched me to see the old couple
exchange their friendly smiles.
Once, when | remarked this to
the marchesa, she said: Chute, He
is quite devoted and deeply attached
to me. Men parlez pas, ma chere en-
FAINT, he is bound TO me forever, the
poor marchese, by love charm" |
laughed.
"Donot laugh, cherie, will tell you
the story" Which was as follows:
I'VE were engaged, as is the Gus
tom among our families-conyen-
ances: Oh. At least | had not been
consulted He and |, we were as for
NAL in our intercourse as young peo-
pie were obliged to be in those days.
We were never left alone together
When he came to see me and when he
left me, | dutifully gave him my hand
and he dutifully kissed it. He called
me 'mademoiselle' or madame and
/ called him 'monsieur'-and-oh,
mon enfant, loved him ardently,
with all my soul! longed passion
ately to know if he also loved me, for
he had never told me so.
AT last / could bear it no longer.
was burning TO hear the truth, and |
began to fret and worry. My old
nurse, Petronella, one day found me
in tears. She was in despair, for she
adored me, and at last she found out
my secret; | confessed it to her in a
whisper. so you wish the marchese
to love YOU she whispered back to
me. And with blush | said: Yes
""Then listen to me, carissma, she
said, mysteriously. Il know of love
charm, sure one, and one that is
not at ali difficult TO obtain; single
drop of your blood must be dropped
INTO his food or wine. Let him but |
taste your blood and he belongs to
you forever. 1t is an old and we'll
tried love charm which never fails J