The Washington herald., 1911-01-22
BY CAMIL.LO CIANFARRA.

Rome, Jan N-Even as 4 convicted
InurdereSS the Countess Maria Tarnow-
ska who is supposed to be serving 4
sentence for having prompted the assaA-
sination of Count kamarowski, still re-
tains those powers of fascination which
gained for her the title of "the enchant-
ress.''
According TO the Italian laws, 4 pris-
oner must serve sentence in 4 peniten-
tiary located ut least 100 miles from the
spot where the crime was committed,
and the Countess Ta-nowska should nov
he IN the female ward OF the Trazzi peni-
tenuary. Instead of that she is occupy
ing comfortable quarters in the Giudecca
prison Of Venice
There are many reasons why she has
harsh discipline Of an Italian peniten-
tiary, and one of these is found in the
interest which the prison chaplain has
taken in the entrancing prisoner.
Deceived by Enchantress
During the trial the countess expressed
fervent wish to foreso the world $
pleasures and TO devote the remainder of
her life in works of .penitence in a con-
vent The chaplain saw the opportunity
of saving very brilliant brand from
the burning, and it was largely due to
his influence that the press treated the
beautiful penitent with unusual consid-
GRAFTON during the trial
Alter her conviction the chaplain was
instrumental in securing comfortable
quarters for the prisoner and later in
arranging for the conSoling company of
Sister of Charity in the prisoners room
II was said the countess was sick and
reeded bodily as well as spiritual COM
forts and the prison authorities closed
both eyes to the unusual amount of free
dom left to the prisoner
But the constant supply of Russian
cigarettes that went to the countess
room labeled medicine attracted the
chapiains critical attention. although he
was inclined to believe the prisoners
story that the cigarettes were nearly
necessary to her health.
But Notwithstanding the chaplain's dis |
coVery things have changed but little |
True. the Sister of Charity has been sent |
back to the convent and the supply of |
cigarettes greatly reduced, but the count |
eSs has not yet been removed from |
ner temporary quarters and the press is |
deNotlnS TO the case more attention than !
usual The chaplain frankly admits that !
he has been deceived by the countess |
religious sentiments, and he also thinks /
everybody in the prison. doctors and |,
keepers. have fallen in love with her.
Countess Finds Friends.
The countess, however. has easily found !
other powerful friends to counterbalance |
the chaplain's influence and counteract |
the latter's enmity. The cohorts of in !
ternational admirers which made their |
presence felt during the trial seem to !
have rallied to her support
According to some reports. many secret
influences are at work in favor of the
countess. While she is reported TO he
almost pennileSs, three prominent law
'ers have been retained by a mvsteri-
1us Parsonage to plead in her favor be-
ore the minister of justice that a par-
Ion be granted to her
Many strange stories are circuIatippt
hsse days about Countess Tarnowska
md her mysterious and wealthy friends.
-nlong others, Il is said. a Russian prince
Who IS deeply interested in the countess
Welfare. This prince, who is an Old man
'oout twice the prisoners age. attended
he trial and has never left Venice since |
lie visits the prisoner once a month hut |
corresponds with her daily. This has
aused it 10 be said that rs soon as the
ountesS regains her freedom she will
marry again and retire to q Quiet life
omewhcre in the lake districts of Sorth
IN Itaty