The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-06-04
The Story of Elisabetta Siranf
From Appieton's Journal.

Z ne sun euOue Joyous anu ~oW Y
, learned Bologna, and the fertile hills IN
plains beyond, as an aged man sat at Il
door of little house opposite the Churc
:, of San Domenico, his hands clasped VI
on his lap and ooked about him with q
air of rich content
From the church C me the strains {
devotional music, and now and then III
door opened to let the worshipers out q
in. As often as any one came out, th
old man glanced wistfully across th
> street; but none ofthose who came seem
ed to inierst him, until several patri
cisns-such their dress proclaimed ther
E to became out and stepped respectful
aside to let female figure pass. Tn
lady responded modesily to their salu,a
tion-, and FASTENED directly across tn
street toward the old man, whose fes
lures, which were still handsome and i'm
posing, lighted up with radiant smil
as she approached. Her dress was no
unlike that Of the women OF the bOur
geoise of the better sort, but had some
thing of the free and unconstrained abOu
it often seen in the dress of artists. Ov
er her simply-irimDed brown dress fel
! the folds OF black veil, through which
the little bloD curls around her forehead
and the heavy braids that hung dow
} her back, were seen. The only orns
ment she wore was little iiiigree eros
on her breast; in her hand she carried
her prayer-book.
AS the tall, slender girl s-rroschet
the old man and kissed Ills 1 -ncad, b,
pressed her hand affectionatel; AID said
in a sonOrOus tone:
"Weli done, figliamia. After the
morning mass one works with lighter
heart and clearer head. And poor kine
Epzio, for the peace of whose soul they
pray, to- day, had trials enough in this
world to merit all the happiness in the
next their prayers can secure him."
There is nothing l thought of less
than of King Enzio, replied Elisabetta.
"Ay, ay-and what was it, then, tina,
occupied your thoughts. my daughter
"The paintings Of our great maestro
And az l stood with my eyes fixed On one
of them, it seemed to mt 40 though the
moved aside, and that he rose and look
ed on me with glorified expression, az
l saw him only once when he WAS on his
death bed. And these features, father,
and this mien, will give to my saint
AntOnio-my pencil will be able to pro-
duce them, am sure it will"
"Our great mdestro, the Immortal GnidO
REM" sOliloquiZed the Old man, as his
beautiful daughter entered tho house.
"Yes, yes, his blessing rests on you my
child-his great heartis your inheritance
Elisabetia"
The old man had hardly finished his
soliloquy when well-kept hand was laid
on his arm. "Very true, good SignOr
SiranIT" said the newcomer. The old
man looked up and made movement as
though he would rise, but eank back in
bis chair with an expression of pain.
"fOu will excuse me, SignOr Malyezzi, "
said he; this ugly govt obliges me to re-
main seated"
al know, know. j" SAID Malvezzi, who
might have been man of fifty; tell me,
rather, that am welcome"
IA cavalier, a Malvezzi. signor, hard
VI needs such an assurance. Besides,
you are a patron OF the arts and of artists. ="
GAY, and OF GSfis'es." cried the patri-
clan; lyon know how l admire Signorita
Elsabetiar'
"And che is no. unworthy your admir-
alton, signor," replied Sirani. "Guido
he raised himself up in his last hour,
and laying his hand on her head. he
said: you were born to be immortal,
my child; you are more than woman
you are an angel" He bequesthed to
me the task of finishing his Saint Bruno;
but was unworthy. was conscious
of my inability. Years passed; taught
my daughter the divine art, and, while
l remained but bungler, she became
the great masters worthy pupil"
Signor Malvezzi, the rich pstrician,
twisted his beard somewhat impatiently
during the old maes,o,s account OF Guido's
death and his daughters inheritance,
which doubtless he had heard more
than once before.
"All Bologna recognizes your daugh.
ter's great genius" he replied, "and her
name is often mentioned far beyond our
boarders; but not less 10 she praised for
her many virtues and admired for her
surprising beauty" he added warmly.
"Tne wonder is that the possessor of
such charms should remain buried be-
tween the four walls of an artists studio.
Has never a man, has never love, found
the way to her heart"
A cloud passed over the face of Glow
ami SirAni, and, with an almost melan-
choly mien, he shook his head and said:
"a goOdly number of most estimable
members of our profession have been
suitOrs for her hand signor, but she has
turned deaf ear to them all. Sic loves
only her art and her old father. Since
nf~v h~~Io 1nn~A~
pencil, she works with redoubled ener-
Ky. One thought alone troubles me
that ] shall ere long be compelled to
leave her without prOtectOr-so young,
90 beautiful, alone, and the object of so
much Jealousy, for already there 10 more
than one of our brother painters who are
envious of her fame"
Nalvezzi's mien became very grave 40
he listened, and 1t was with . certain SOL
emnty of tone that he said: 4
s'She need not be alone, aor unprotec-
ted, Giovanni 6irani. Ifyou will but
bring me simple Yes from your daueh-
ter. my house hold shall acknowledge
her as mistrees-Where | command she
shall command, what 10 mine shall be
hers, l, Beppo Malvezzi. offer my self
as sutton for the hand of Elisabetta 81
rani!" o.
The old painter shaded bis eyes with
his hand the better to see the speaker,
and finally stammered: 4
"You, you, patrician, marry the
daughter Of simple painter"
lead me to Elisabetts, that may
repeat my proposal to her, If you doubs
my sincerity. have, indeed, brought
the hri6a1 ornamenta Ink al than
and I'LL me If they are not worthy of the
future Sign0rs Aa,vezzi." And he open
ed rich, inlaid casket he carried in his
hand, and displayed to the sstonished
old man number Of breaches and brace
lets, that served a. the settings for still
greater number of precious stones. Then
he offered the aged maestro his arm, and
led him into the house.
Elisabetta was in her studio, at work
on her great picture, 1.-The Baptism Of
Christ"
She looked up astonished at the unex-
pected visit, and at her fathers joyous
III milo hesore'' he cried, pressing his
daughter to his bosom ''thou light and
solace of my old age! The happiness Of
this day 10 too great for my email deserts"
Elisabetta raised her head and turned
her large eyes with an inquiring glance
toward signor Mslvezzi, rs if she would
have An explanation from him, but Sirani
motioned him to remain silent.
~ myself will announce to you your
good fortune, aglia mia,-yours and
mine. Signor Malvezzi. the noble and
distin guished Signor Malvezzi, whom