Middletown transcript., 1872-05-11

y
To-morrcw we (continued King Philip.
who. accustomed q ) sovereign to speak
In the second person plural. had dil6coliy
Q adopt tho 6rst person singular 10 bic
disguiss )-that 10. l will further question
you ~ to what you can do 10 earn your
livelihood for the future. There, Gomez,
lead the way"
Holding the rescued youth By the hand
drmly. lest be should escape. Philip, pre-
ceded BY Ruy Comes, bent bic stcps to-
wards the pslsss,
On his way curiosity. one Of tho strong
est passions of this great sovcrign, got
the better Of bis charity, and no.xith.
standing tho young mar was 80 weak as to
render bis answcrs almcst inaudiblc. the
King obtaiucf. from aim the outline Of his
history. He ~as. he said. one Alfonso
San-nes Coclio, native Of Portugal, and
s,ortrsit-painter BY profession. He had
been driven from Spain BY order Of the
Marquis Don Louis Dc Marisvalle. Gov.
ernor Of Badsjos. for the crime Of falling
in love with bis Exccilcncy's daughter.
Dona Estafania, in whose company he bad
been much thrown during considerable
time employed in the execution Of her
| picture. He had wandered 10 the Meth
erlauds in the hope Of obtaining work.
But although he had done al in his power
to earn his bread. he had in every case
failed, and for two days had not tasted
food. He was too proud to beg. and. mad
dened by want, had sought to free himself
Of his niiscries by violent death.
The King provided Coelio. as he prom.
iscd, with substantial meal and a good
bed, and the next morning he awnkc much
refreshed, TO end Ruy Gomez By his couch.
holding in his hand handsome suit Of
clothes for his service. Vaiply did be
question the shrewd Ruy as to the conii-
tion Of his unknown bepefacsor. Ruy in
foimed him that the gentleman was named
Don Paez that he was IN the service OF
his Catholic Majesty. and that presently,
when he had finished his collation.. the
Scuor Don Pacz would como to him, and
talk Of his prospects for the future.
Accordingly, when Sanchez Coelio had
despatched an excellent breakfast. the
King. still wearing his Disguise. entered
The FIRST impulse Of the grateful young
man was 10 raise the hand Of the supposed
venerable Don Pnez TO his lips and thank
him for his kindness. above all for having
prevented his committing so fatal crime
as suicide Don r.az listened to him with
kindness
" Young gentleman, We that is. an
convinced that the fearful act which yol
contemplated last night was the resul, o
famine, which lad deprived you Of you,
reason As We have taken some inters
in you. and are icsirous Of providing fol
your future, we--that is, am willing
since you say you are painter of portraits
that you should take a likeness of myself
but on tho one condition, that it be fin
ishel by the ieust day OF our duughtc
Maria. II wants one month TO the hol,
day Of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel. ",
intend this picture as present to our
J my--daugh.cr Can you paint SO rap
) idly =
=. can. SIR
My servant will pay you two hundre'
ducats in advance for the said picture. II
will also escort you to lodging hav
prepared for you. anil II which will re
pair Tor the sit,ings for my picture.
, am. as yen have doubtless discovered
, employed about the person Of His Mos
Catholic Majesty. and our sovereign olte
, passes through these apartments and. a
, he objects to the scent Of paint. oil an
,urpcntinc, think it more booming tina
5 my portrait be painted withou, the palace
! As am ip service about the Kings per
> son during the day, can only como /
you a. night, Can you pain. by lamp
0 ligh,?'
:" eau, sir"
/ j" Above all things, mention to no one
r beseech you, that we-that is. tha, Al
having my portrait painted. Guard you
tongue. and never come TO the palace I
: inquire for me; object to persons com
: ing here on business II you require an,
$ thing ask it Of Ruy Gomez; be has oil
I icrs TO serve you in all things. To-nigh,
j, a, nine o'clock, will be with you. Far,
: we'll"
b Before coelio could answer the iisgui.
9 ed King bad disappeared. Ruy Come
: escorted the painter TO spacious apart
D ment. situated in a remote part Of the G
: ty. There be discovered painting mater
: als--canvass. eastls. pencils. and colo,
: ready prepared for bis use. That nigh
$ and for many nights following, Philip a,
. rived punctually Ut pine o'clock il detaiu
3 ed over night. he came very early in III
. morning. The portrait. was execute
d with such finish aud 6ne colorng that tn
: King, who was good judge Of the arl
pronounced II . masterpiece. About
], week before il yas flushed Philip inform
cd bis new protegc taat hc bad nen,ionc
him to His Catholic Majesty. Who appoint
o cd tho following day. at noon. Of the pul
q pose Of becoming acquainted With tho ne
. artist. and also to Ok IN hour for sittin
: for portrait Of his royal self. l will nt
. venture to describe the feelings Of Joy vi.
c which Coelio heard this news. his VII
p ion Of future glory. eliminating in bri
S liant marriage with Dona Estafania.
: Punctually at the stroke Of mid.da,
COclio found himeelf. With beating henr