The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-08-22
A BROTHER OF THE MISERI
 CORDIA
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER l.
 They were talking of brctherhoods the other day at Lloyd Fenton's, and extoll- ing the good deeds done by them, espec- ially by that fraternity called in Italy the Misericordia." Each one had some ex. perlence to relate-a tale of benevolence or courage-but sat silent At length fenton asked mo a direct question :
 Why do you say nothing. Cuthbertp You have been in Italy so long, you must have heard much of the brethren"
 have heard something of them. ) was my answer, and indeed have had an experience of treatment at the hands of one of them but as it is directly at odds with all of yours, it seems pity I should mention it."
 70 no "-" Tell us "-" You must "- We want a shadow to all this light" was the chorus raised immediately. And this is what told them.
 Five years. ago was poor enough, and was thankful to take what work came to hand; so, when my rich cousin, John Harper, sent me to Florence to CODY pictures for his great house at Eastmere, l gratefully accepted the munifcent offer he made me, started off at once for Florence, and set up my easel in the City of Flowers early in October. By February felt as if had lived there for years, and had made acquaintance with nearly all Its pictures, palaces, and churches. After making copies of some well-known works" Madonna" by Ra- phael; Madonna and Two Saints" bv Andrea del Sarto ;" Pieta," by Fra Lippi --l thought l would change my ideas by having face that was not saintly one to gaze at; so betook myself to the oaia di Venus in the Pitt Palace, and took tip my brushes in front of the Bella Donna" of Titan. As the face and form grew under my pencil could not but learn flom the favorable remarks contin- nally made upon it in my hearing, that had succeeded somewhat better than usual in transferring portion of the beauty of the original to my canvas. The picture was all but finished, and 1 was one day adding stroke here and there to the gold embroidery of the dress, when l heard the steps of two gentlemen pause behind me, and one of them ex- claimed: "Per Bacco, non c'e male 1" He began to talk about my work soon learned that was English and intended to go homeward shortly, and before our interview was over he asked me to CODY tor him picture in his gallery, the orig nal ot which he wished to part with. He was good enough to say that he had been seeking some one who would catch the intention of the painter sufficiently well to supply the copy he wanted; and he thought l might be able to render the meaning of the original without supple mentins it by fancies Of my own. He!e. me fix my own time for work, SO ar- ranged to begin early in the following week. With the usual formal salutations we parted; and on looking at the card left by my new patron, found him to be the Principe Gherado Schidone," of whose small but exquisite collection of pictures knew we'll the reputation.
 On presenting myself at the Palazzo, 1 was shown into the library. The tall man in livery who opened the massive door moved so quietly across the thiclly carpeted floor that the prince did not hear his approach, and had time to take note of the apartment and its inhabitant before he was informed of my presence He was writing, and observed his high narrow forehead and projecting chin almost uncoAsciously. His eyes were dark, and rather hard, the nose and mouth beautifully formed. When he raised his head and friendly smile frightened his face, the prince was de cidedly handsome man. He was about thirty; and had heard of him as being extremely clever, somewhat of a devot, and unquestionably poor. Alter a few minutes chat he proposed to conduct me to the gallery, whither, he said, my painting things would have been already taken. We walked down a corridor hung with tapestry, and scantily furnished with ancient seats, dover chests, and antique vases, after the manner of such places ; and turning sharply to the right, ascended marble staircase, from the Ian ding at the top of which door on the left ad. mittsd us to the picture gallery. The rooms had already seen were rather shabby, and looked as if a good round sum might be expended on their redeco- ration with advantage; but the two apars- ments which contained the collectisn Of