The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-03-12

l
amuses himself mere in the dead hour of
the night be not yourself, Senior, then
agree with Cordova that it is is beyond
all doubt the devil" ... .as.
'"I wou to heaven it were! Willing
ly would avow myself the delinator Of
these refined and delicate features, of
that bold and majestic outline! There are
doubtless in the picture some few varia-
tions from the rules of art: but those
few are lost amid its transcendent beau
ties. Sebastian! Sebastianp' he cried,
interrupting himself, 1--WE will soon find
out the mysterious artist. Sebastian p
he continued, addressing himself to lit
tie creole about fourteen years of age,
who hurried at the call of his master,
shave l not ordered you to sleep in this
Iplace every night2"
Eyes, senior" replied the timid and
terrified boy.
swell, and do you sleep here?"
eyes, senor."
"Well, then, speak who was it that
either last night or this morning entered
this room before the arrival of these gen
Itlemen? Speak, or I'll soon find means
to compel youp' exclaimed, Murillo to the
boy, who continued revolving his feather
ed cap upon his thumb without replying;
'unravel the mystery"
"Nobody, senior, that know off, re-
piled Sebastian, tremblingly.
"Slavew
"No one but myself has entered this
apartment, upon my word, senor," re-
peated Sebastian, kneeling and raising
! his hands imploringly to his master.
''sebastian," replied Murillo, firmly,
''listen to me. I am determined to find
out who painted this Madonna's head,
and the others which these young gentle.
i men have observed there for several
mornings past. This night you shall
keep watch, instead of sleeping; and to-
morrow, if you have not detected the
guilty individual, yon shall receive twen-
ty-ive lashes. Dost thou hear? Go and
grind your colors, and you, gentlemen, go
to your work."
The young men applied themselves
fhd sooner had slMu1illo left the studio
than the mysterious artist again became
tine subject OF conversation. Mendez
spoke first.
"Look out for scourging tomorrow,
boy, if you DO not detect the intruder to-
night. Give me some yellow"
"You do not need any, Senior Mendez.
There is already too much yellow on
, your picture AS to the intruder, it's
my opinion it's Zombi."
"Cease your up;dity about Zombl,"
said Gonzalez. impatiently.
'You may believe in the Zombi or not,
Senior Gonzalez, but that does not dis
A prove his existence, nor that he is some
times good spirit and som:imes ma
G licious one; for it was he, undoubtedly
t who so pulled the arm of your "John in
the wilderness out of shape: for" con
. tinued Sebastian, jeeringly, eff the other
t was equally long, he might unloose the
q latchets of his shoes without bending his
body"
e The attention of all was directed to
s Gonzalez picture, and they cast look OF
y establishment first at Gonzalez and then
at Sebastian.
: DO you not all see that there is truth
t in Sebastian's criticism?" said Isturez
e examining more closely the unnatural
|, limb, which had hitherto escaped thei1
: observation.
! Gonzalez colored, looking angrily al
f Isturez, and pettishly reminded Sebastian
| of the twenty-6 five lashes he was to receive
l the following day.
Y It was night and the studio of Murillo
l the celebrated painter of Seville, which
S during tn. day presented such scene O
nlirth and activity, had become silent and
s solitary as the grave. A single lsml
t burned dimly upon the marble table il
i the center, and ner it stood a boy, whose
I. pale complexion accorded we'll with tn
Y gloomy darkness in which he was en-
!, veloped, and whose. large black eye
il sparkled in the obscurity like lustrou
If brilliants. He was leaning upon an ease
l. in or ,ceful posture, still and unmovable
and plunged in the profoundest refec
h ton. Without his observing it, the doc
e, opened gently, and man, whose feature
4 it was impossible to distinguish in tn
le gloom which pervaded the apartment
entered, advanced toward him and Gale
!" him by name. Sebastian was too niue
a. occupied to reply. He was seized by tn
z. arm.
ID Sebastian raised his eyes-a tall, fine
IS. looking creole stood before him.
er "What brings you here, father9" aske
or the boy, with evident concern.
no "Only to keep you company, m
c. child.'
" 'That is unnecessary, father; return tt
at your bed. will keep watch alone"
IL but the Zombi2"
it Sebastian smiled and replied
II am not afraid of him, father"
Vi "But if he should take you from M
I'd my childa"
n. The boy raised his eyes towards til
large skylight in the vaulted ceiling
m through which the twinkling stars wei
", glimmering with peerless ray.
ice "Place your trust there, father, and re
ne turn again to your bed. l will lay my
self down upon the carpet and seek fol
err getfulness in Sleep"
las "But are you not afraid the Zombi wi
or come, Sebastian"