The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-22

RNIRG STAR AM CATHOLIC
hoarse whisper. aThe dreadful Crenato."
continued che. has he kept his word Ho.
long has the unhcly gift been in your hands
and have yon destroyed it
The king shook his head. al have never
seen the painting he answered. "Cremato
has not kept his word; but feel-I know GER
tainly-that the picture 10 ended; that 1t
exists. aud that, if it came into my hands, the
strength to destroy il would fail me; bnt look
upon il could not, for my fancy has already
created it 70 break my heart Countless sen.
arrested |; for, whenever have taken the pen
or opened the mouth TO decide over the life,
happiness. or honor of any subject, I saw him
i saw Cremato's dreadful work opposite me-"
The king stopped suddenlv, took n few
thoughtful steps through the room, and went
out but the overpoWering feeling which the
| disclosure of the long kept secret bad aroused
| in him. prevented the monarch's enjoying ms
| rest. He left his couch, opened the window,
and looked out into the still, cool summer
| night The trees of the grove whispered
the moist air. fell sounding from leaf to leaf
| and from the distance came an indistinct har-
mony, disturbing the song of the mig atingale
| As the listeners ear became accustomed to the
rustlipg of the forest, the distant sounds be-
| came more distinct and 6gured themselves in
| to q song that the king recognized, while it
recalled q sweet tide Of youthful recollecsions.
| of endless wars, behind the tumultuous years
of ambition aud seeking for glory, worried its
nameless magic on bis soul. He saw himself
| again o boy on the rocks of the Mediterraue an
sea be heard again then-vish never-epd
| ing satisfaction, the melodious song of the
| fishermen they rowed out in the golden
| cleaning OF the morning red, or in the rosy
| Simmer of evening when returning into Sc
cure haI bors and the peace OF their homes.
/ sanctissina,
| Da hashs Virgo Maria.
Mater anAtA,
| Ora pro nobisi
But now it was no longer the strong tenor
| voices of the south, buS two sweet female
| voices so low and melodious, that rest and
peace came back 20 him, and turning to his
couch. he murmured softly:
"Holy, blessed fasherland. The rolling fates
have taken me from thy lap to fasten me in .
strange land, with Q strange crown, bnt with
blessings 1 think of thee; and blessed, thrice
blessed, may'st thou be, o my loved fstherland
my sweet home"
"This is not Cremato,- spoke the king, Al
scented the modest painter, slender, handsome
youth, scarcely arrived 1t manhood.
IL am called Guido, sireH answered he fear
lessly.
of your art replied the king rs be dismissed
the count. 81 have heard good of you Have
You brought With YOU the picture of which the
count has spoken y
No, sire" said the painter; ga liberal con
noisseur had bought it and taken it away
before the command of your majesty reached
me-"
what a misfortune.' said the king condo
scendingy. a. l am a patron of art, and des;r'
to employ your BRUSH"
{" 1 am sorry" replied Guido, ~ that hav'
, ! no specimen of nv poor talent to show to you
majesty. But have brought with me worl
! which 1 hope will obtain your favor, SIRE
! was on my way to your court, and have Gre
mato's masterpiece TO give to your majesty"
, The king became pale at these words II
. looked at the painter piereiugly, but as be re
celved the glance without restraint. questione'
q "Cremato, His last vorki You, sir; pei
haps his son 7"
a Ills student, gracious sire! his student VIII
: buried him a few months ago at Naples, AM
81 promised the lying man TO bring the picture {
:. Your ~ jetsy."
= "Cr.Gaso dead.7 sighed the king. ain hir
a died true artist, peculiar but noble man.
= have never inquired further concerning him
= He was to me only human being whom
h could protect" added be slowly. 81 The las
e sign of his independence. You have brought
% with you =
"Yes, your majesty replied Guido. "l
e staDds in the anteroom. hasten to bring it.
"Yet . word" began the king disturbedly {
"a the artist. " The subject of the picture y
- "For me q secret" answered Guido. "Th
IA master worked on it with closed door-embe
,e iished it with his own hands, and locked it i
r the box. Il stood long 60, ready for departor
"a Cremato would eutrust is only to me. and sal
I'd to me, on his dying bed, that only your majesE
knew what that picture designated"
T. The kings conference cleared, and he o
~ loved that Guido should bring the box,
Y which the pictore was locked, INTO the IooE
q. wrh kind of grim horror, he refused TO hA'
DO it opened.
he some other tiue." he said abruptly. 81 V
= | see if you are the student of your teacher. D
CreDato leave relatives to VII ON l can retu
7 .be price of this masterpiece T"
90 a mother and two dAUShfers," Tepli
he Guido 1t is true they are not pressed
r. want, bot from painters Inheritance IS seldc
nv left a surplus. Yet, do not pay for this g,fE
IL gold. Weighty grounds compel them to r-na
nd in q foreign land, and thew wished to find
ne refuge in the kingdom that your m.jest.
!. wisdom makes happy"
for 10 taEe care OF Stem Aeo o3uSutefs 81
his way TO the heart OF one Of them =
NC Guido BIO wed biushingly and denied.
he am az go! poHn e4Iu nc, out 10 e