New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-25

future, we--tIlat u, i ALL WuDuS, sHuec yoo
say that YOU are painter of portraits, that
YOU should take likeness of myself. But
ON the one condition, that it be finished on
the feast day of our daughter Maria. 1t
wants one day to the holy day of Our Lady |
Mary of Mount Carmel. We intend this pic
ture as present to our-my-daughter. Can
you paint so rapidly?"
81 can, SIR
My servant will pay you two hundred
lucats in advance for the said picture. He |
will also escort YOU to lodging have pre-
pared for YOU, and to which | will repair for
the sttings of my picture. am, as you have |
doubtlessly discovered, employed about the
person of His Most Catholic Majesty, and
our sovereign often passes through these |
apartments; and, as he objects to the scent
of painting, oil, and turpentine, l think it
more becoming that my portrait be painted
without the palace. As l am in service about
the kings person in the day, can only come
to you at night. Can you paint by lamp
light?'
81 can, SIR"
above all things, mention to no one, l
beseech you, that we--that is, that l am
having my portrait painted. Mention my
name TO no one. Guard your tongue, and
never come to this palace to inquire for me
object to persons coming here on business.
If you require anything ask it Of Ruy Gomez;
he has orders to serve you in all things. To-
night, at nine O'Clock, l will be with you.
Farewell"
Before Coclio could answer, the disguised
king had disappeared. Ruy Gomez escorted
the painter to a spacious apartment, situated
in a remote part of the city. There he dis
covered painting materials--canvass, easels,
pencils, and colors ready prepared for his
use. That night, and for many nights fol-
lowing, Philip arrived punctually at nine
O'Clock; if delayed over night, he came very
early in the morning. The portrait was ex-
ecuted with such finish and fine coloring
that the king, who was good judge of art,
pronounced it a masterpiece. About a week
before it was finished Philip informed his new
protege that he had mentioned him to His
Catholic Majesty, who appointed the follow
ing day, at noon, for the purpose of becom-
ing acquainted with the new artist, and also
| to fix an hour for sitting for a portrait of his
royal self. l will not venture to describe the
feelings of Joy with which CoeliO heard this
news, or his vision of future glory, culmi-
mating in a brilliant marriage with Donna Es-
! tafania.
| Punctually at the stroke of midday, Coelio
found himself, with beating heart, in the
presence OF the King of Spain. 1t would
have been impossible for him to have recog-
niZed the aged Don PaeZ in the stately SOW
ereign who stood before him. Philip was at
this time in the bloom of youth, as Titan
| had presented him to US. So slenderly, yet
| 50 well propOrtiOned, that although he was
not above the middle height, he appeared
tall. His hair and beard were exceedingly
fair, his brow broad and intellectual, his eyes
blue, clear, and penetrating, and his express
sion majestic and commanding. He wore a
suit of black velvet slashed with satin, and
upon his head black cap with feathers.
| y, h;c ruff IF fin 10 Il
breast the gorgeous collar of the Fleece of
Gold.
| sanchez Coelio," he said, in a somewhat
stern tone. 1--WE hear from our good SER
want, Don Paez, that you are an artist of
some skill. 1t is our purpose that you paint
our portrait"
Your majesty" said Coelio, bowling low.
"Silence! interrupt us not. This picture
must be finished by the day of st. Philip, our
holy patron. There wants two weeks to the
| time"
Your majesty" again broke in Coelo.
"Speak not until we have said our say.
We intend to be painted in the character of
our holy patron, ST. Philip, and will take our
first sitting this very day. What is it you
would say to us ?''
This much, your majesty, and no more.
L cannot undertake the task to paint your
majesty's picture by st. Philips day, because
l cannot begin it for at least week, although
it is the greatest honor and ambition of my
| life to serve your ma iesty in this mattcr.'
| Our servant, Don PaeZ, assures us that
you paint with marvellous rapidity."
Save your maiesty!-I have promised to
| finish the likeness of the Senior Don Paez by
the festival of his daughter. He saved my
life, and has paid in advance on condition it
is finished by that day. have given him my
promise; must fulfill it."
Sir COeliO," said the king, assuming a
terrible aspect, g Know that we have some
reason to suspect that you are an impOstOr,
and have deceived our most worthy servant
PACE. There arc those within who know
you better than you think for"
Let them appear!" exclaimed Sanchez
Coelio, with mpetuous indignation. Let
them appear; l do not fear them, whoever
they may be. Never has lie passed my
lips; never have l committed an action for
which 1 need blush-never but once, and
then | was driven by want and misery to
seek to free myself from life which had be-
come an intolerable burden. Your servant
Don Paez saved me. l impose upon him
No! / would die first. Bring forward those
who know me better than l think for; and
then, King Philip, truth shall put calumny
to the blush.'
The king struck three times heavily upon
the floor with his sword. Suddenly the
door opened, and who should appear be-
fore the astonish, Sanchez Coelio, but the
Marquis of Mariavalle, leading in Donna
Estafana!
The young lover stood like one under a
spell. Presently he opened wide his arms,
and folded them again, pressing the beauti-
full and faithful Estafania to his heart. He
led her to the king, who, drawing from be-
meath his cloak the gray beard and locks of
his disguise, held them up before the as
tonished painter.
Z" Philip Spain and Don Paez are one and
the same. May Sanchez Coclio, whom Don
Pace has learned to love, be ever true to
Philip. Marquis of Mariavalle, we ask of
you the hand of your daughter, Donna Esta-
f;inia, for our court painter, and beloved
friend, Don Alfonzo Sanchez de Coelio."
''That which the king asks Il subject may
not deny" answered the old courtcr, bow
ing low before his sovereign.
| ''God bless you, Sanchez" said Philip, as
he placed the hand of Estafania in that of
CocliO. 'May you both be as happy as I"-
here he lowered his voice-"as / am
wretched."
Time Passing Away.