San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-02-16

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might be suffering. But the worl'
knew nothing of this, for the Cardina
was to all appearances as proud, a
magnificent, as dictatorial, and as keel
a Judge and critic as ever.
Some three years later picture-deal
err ventured, cringing and on respectful
tiptoe, into the august presence.
"Now, Luigi, what trash have you
to-dayp"
"0h, no trash, your Eminence-s
gem, a GEM"
"a false gem, eh!-another clever
copy that l shall detectP"
"No, no, your Eminence; a true
gem-modern, and to be bought for q
song"
swell, well, be quick"
"There, your Eminence," and the
dealer placed before the Cardinal a
small, fresh, delicately tinted picture
lovely smiling crowd of Cupids-dain-
ty, dimpled boys, chasing each other in
the mazes of a bower. .....
The Cardinal put on his glasses, look
ed, broke out with "Corpo di BAG"
and changed it to "Santa Maria! It's
more free than Albani, more dainty than
Correggio-and modern, too. How that
flesh is managed! What texture!
Who's the painterP"
"That's secret, your Eminence. l
know who brings them, but I'm not sure
who paints them. I've had several, but
none as good as this"
"Luigi, you know you can't play
tricks on me. I'll use all the police in
Rome, but III find this painter; so tell
me the fair price, and bring the painter
here tomorrow at this time"
"But, your Eminence-"
"Make me no excuses tell me no lies.
How muchp and bring the painter.
"Five thousand scudi would be trife
for it," ....
"H'm! And how much OF that does
the painter get?" ."a..
"Oh, good price, yonr Eminence-
a good price" ~
"Yes; good for you. Basta! I know
you. Well, well, bring the painter to-
morrow, and you shall have your
and the Cardinal coolly set the
picture aside among his latest-acquired
treasures.
"But if the painter won't come, your
"Not word! The painter must come,
or your money won't come"
The discounted dealer made his
bow, and tiptoed out backward.
The next day, at the appointed hour,
he appeared, and with manner highly
announced that he had
brought the painter; but the painter was
shy about being known, and had come
yelled. His Eminence would not in
.rude upon the reserve Of a
GA woman!" exclaimed the Cardinal,
rs he caught sight of slight yelled fig
Ire gliding in behind Luigi-"a woman,
and great painter! Corpo di-I mean,
Santa Maria! / do not wish, signora,"
he said respectfully, "to rudely break
your incognita; but will you tell me, as
I'm connoisseur in art, how you have
arrived at the peculiar delicacy of these
lesh-tints? How have you prepared your
,anvasp"
She took up the picture and frayed
corner on the back of the stretcher.,
eft is painted on silk, your Emil
lence."
"Silk! but what sort of silkp"
ga very fine silk stocking. Here is
he foot, not cut off, but nailed upon the
tretcher. See.''
GA silk stocking!" The Cardinal, at
he first word the woman spoke, start
ID, looked surprised, then dazed; but
orgot neither his dignity nor his habit
# command, and imperatively ordered
luigi out of the room. That worthy
made his backward exit rapidly under
o stern an eye. When the Cardinal
urned back once more to the woman,
he had dropped her veil, and he saw a
ale but noble face, with eyes that
ooked straight into his. ,.-
In an instant he caught it to his
reast. .-..
"Beatrice! my darling, my lost, my
owing little Beatrice!"
1t was indeed Beatrice, in poor and
habby dress, but with the light of ge-
ius and the calm of experience enhanc-
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