Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-09-25

-
read 1t again. lie found, moreover, that it
was written ON paper similar to that used by
Beatrice, and upon turning it over he saw
On the back a few words in pencil. They
Were written SO family that he had to carry
the note to a strong light in order to de-
| cipher them.
J The words were madonna di Tempt
and to the best of his belief, as experts say
| when giving evidence, the handwriting was
| Beatrices.
What did the words mean, and how far
would they aid him in finding Beatricea
! He soon settled in his mind that madonna
| di Temp" must be the name of a picture.
| But what picture? Where was it to be
| found?
OF course, it did not follow that supposing
| he could ascertain all about this picture,
which might or might not be a world
famed enc, that he would find Beatrice near
1t. Nevertheless, the clew was worth fol-
lowing He would have followed a finer
clew than this to the end of the world on
the chance of its leading him to Beatrice.
So he at once SCI about the task of getting
information, it Information could be got,
respecting picture called the Madonna di
Tempt He hoped but his hopes were not
very strong. Indeed, he could not help
comparing his case to that of the fair Sara
GEMS who found her lover by the aid of two
words. Yet she was better off than he was.
She at least had the name of place for one
of her talismanic words. He had the name
Of what he supposed to be a picture; moth
ing more.
Mr.. Carruthers was not one of the inner
circle of art worshippers. His sallet his
sturm und drang, his emotional days, were
well over before the era of blue and white
china. He had no rhapsodies written or
spoken, to arise hereafter and prick his con-
science. He had not bowed his knee to the
in, en5e, nor sacrificed on the altar of the in
comprehensive. He was fond of pictures as
pictures, and was bold enough to say he
liked what he did like and that he disliked
what he did dislike. Hence it will be at oncs
seen that his opinion was worth nothing to
any one except himself.
Having found the knowledge not indis-
pensable, he could not, like many men, check
off on his fingers the principal productions
of the grand old masters and name the spot
Of earth on which each one could be found.
But like the man who when challenged to
fight, replied, 81 can't fight myself, but I
have little friend who can," and forthwith
struck down his challenger with a short,
stout poker, Mr.. Carruthers if he did not
know these things himself had friend who
knew
This friend was a Mr.. Burnett, a recog-
nized art authority.
Frank found Mr.. Burnett at his rooms,
writing-critiques on the recently opened
exhibitions most likely.
EDO you know any picture called the Ma
donna di Temple" asked Carruthers.
"a picture called the Madonna di Tempt
All, yes. The Madonna di Tempt Painted
by Raphael. You have heard of Raphael,
Carrutherss'
''Where is it?" asked Frank quickly.
st is in the Old Pinakothek"
SIN the whatg'
"My dear Carruthers, how ignorant you
are I thought you studied Greek at Ok
-Pinakothek is derived from a Greek
word--'
81 know all that, but where is it?'
"Your Ignorance is deolorable. The old
Pinakothek is in Munich. Munich, you may
know, IS the capital Of"
Frank jumped up. ''Thank you," he said,
81 am SO much obliged"
''Not going, Carruthers! Oh, sit down
and have chat. Tell me all about your
book. You must be dying to tell me all"
"No, Pm not. must go now. Good bye"
''But where are you goingg
''The words you read have fired me- I
am going to Munich to see the Madonna di
Tempt" And before Mr.. Burnett could
get out another question Carruthers was
gone