Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1902-10-30
A LOVE CHARM.
pY BARONESS Won BuELow

DN BARONESS Won III ELON.
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 iys windows one
could see all Rome and the TIber.
Sunshine sparkied 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 sky
rose above the whole scene. When
ever | was permitted to visit her l
used 10 await her appearance IN a
large, lofty hall hung with Gobehn
tapestry; the ceiling was yaulted with
splendid stucco ornamentation. The
fgsres in the tapestry appeared so
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 as
NAV occasionally be seen among fam
lilies Of true blue blood. Though still
youthful in form and manner, and at
a certain distance in feature also, she
made a curious "chifonee' impress
sion. She appeared TO me almost
like a sprite. and even in broad day
light like one Of the figures in the
tapestry room came to life. But as
she spoke the words Ma tres chere
Berthe" the apparition yanishedand
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 husband, the old
marchese. still occupied a 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 a footstool under
her feet or fetching her a 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
it 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" l
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 10 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 ardcntly,
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 II 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. i know of love
charm, sure one, and one that is
not at all 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 fall,