Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-03-29
INDEPENDENCE FRIDAY MARCH
Punctually at the stroke Of mid

Punctually at the stroke. Of mid
day, Coclio found himself, with
beating heart, in the presence Of the
King Of Spain. 1t would have been
impossible for him to have rccogni.
zcd the aged Don Pcaz in the stately
sovereign who stood before him.
Philip was at this time in the bloom
of youth, as Titan has presented
him to us. So slcnderly, vet so
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 expression majestic and COM
manding. He wore n suit Of black
velvet 81 shed with satin, and upon
his head n black cap with feathers.
Beneath his ruff of fine lace hung
upon his breast the gorgeous collar
Of the Fleece of Gold.
sanchez Coelio," he said, in a
somewhat stern tone, tive hear from
our good servant, Don Paez, that
you are an artist of some skill. 1t
is our purpose that you paint our
portrait"
"Your majesty" said Coelio, bow
ing low.
''Silence! interrupt us not. This
picture must be finished by the day
Of St. Philip, our holy patron.
There wants three weeks to the
time."
"Your majesty" again broke in
Coelio.
"Spcak 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 can
not begin it for at least a week,
although it is the greatest honor
and ambition of my life to serve
your majesty in this matter"
"Our servant, Don Paez, assures
us, that you paint with marvellous
rapidity."
"Save your majesty!-I have
promised to finish the likeness of
the Senor Don Paez by the festival
Of his daughter. He saved my life,
and has paid me in advance on con-
dition it is finished by that day. l
have gwen him my promise; must
fulfill it,"
"Sir, Coelio," said the king, as
suming terrible aspect. "Know
that we have some reason to sus-
pect that you are an impostor, and
have deceived our most worthy
servant Paez. There are those with
i'll who know you better than you
think for"
"Let them appear" exclaimed
Sanchez Coelio, with impetuous in
dignation. "Let them appear;
do not fear them, whoever they may
be. Never has a lie passed my
lips; never have l committed an
action for which | need blush
never but once, and then l was
driven by want and misery to seek
to free myself from a life which had
become an intolerable burden.
Your servant, Don Paez, saved me.
l impose upon him? No! l 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 before the
astonished Sanchez Coelio, but the
Marquis of Mariavallc, leading in
Dona Estafania!
The young lover stood like one
under spell. Presently he opened
wide his arms, and folded them
again, pressing the beautiful and
faithful Estatania to his heart. He
led her to the King, who, drawing
from beneath his cloak the gray
beard and locks of his disguise,
held them up before the astonished
painter.
"Philip ofSpain and Don Paez
are one and the same. May Sanchez
Coclio, whom Don Pacz has learned
to love, be ever true to Philip. Mar
quis Of Mariavallc, we ask of you
the hand of your daughter, Dona
Estafania, for our court-painter, and
beloved friend, Don Alfonzo San
chez de Coelio."
"That which the king asks, sub
ject may not deny" answered the
old courticr, bowing 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 Il happy as r'-herc he
lowered his voice, = Gas am