Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-13
The San Marco Rubies
~---------- By If. E W. g.

over Vo tho young prAncess, sne salu &oo0 humoredly:
 And now you will give me some of yours, will you notf'
 The act soothed and fattered the in- valid, and she returned q bunch from her own plate. From an awkward 1t became pretty incideut-a delicate young girls caprice-and they went on chatting in Italian as if they had known each other all their lives
 caught Cesares glance of gratitude as it swept up Emily in it's superb caress, and did not wonder that the roses came back. In that tropical atmosphere what flower would not have fiourishedi
 The colonel was delighted Old pr. Sebas- tlanl called on him. told him of the rank and wealth of hls patient, presented the compli- naents of the princess herself, desired for mademoiseile the young Princess Blanca the company of mademoiselle the young English lady, to whom she had taken a sudden and great fancy.
 "A singular case" said Dr. Sebastiani, taking the colonel by the button, to the iu- finite satisfaction of the latter 'Some men, tai and physical malady which we cannot fathom; never violent, never dangerous but disturbed-very queer, at times very un- happy. Believe me, my dear sir, your fair daughter will come to no harm in visiting my patient"
 Ths colonel, who would have embraced & raving maniac if he had been of sufficiently assured rank, gave his consent to the visit which led to great intimacy. The gorgeous mamma honored us all by the most gracious bows and smiles, took Miss Sinclair out in her gondola, which wore the kings colors-even paid me visit to see my sketch of Euphros yne, and commended it, while the young people were together all the time
 The friendship which the young princess had conceived for Emily was bringing health to her cheek and sourdness to her mind David's harp had not a more calming influ- ence upon Saul than had Emily's voice, man. her, presence on this afflicted young girl, and with bis sister and Emily was always Cesare with his beauty and charm
 So the poor artist was forgotten, and ex- cepting during the hours of sitting I saw Euphrosyne no more.
 Meantime a ball was to be given by the king in honor of a certain great parsonage, who, little later than the rest, was like them going to the east. The Princess di San Marco and her son and daughter were of course in vlted, and we were allowed to see her as she appeared in a splendid court costume
 She was indeed a picture worthy of old Venice, as she appeared in 0 crimson velvet, with some rare laco and her superb jewels
 
 of these jewels; the tiara dating from the Fifteenth century, the necklace having been a present from certain pope to lady of the family in the Sixteenth century, the masnih- cent ornament in front of the corsage, which ladies call, l think, sevigne, and the brace lets, which were superb works of art, being mottoes, monograms and crestS, done in rubies and diamonds. The ruby was the prin- cipal stone used on all these magnificent or naments, thickly interspersed with diamonds of course, but still prominent itself.
 ''The ruby has ever been favorite stone with tho San Marcos" said Dr. Sebastiani, land when the Princess Cortini tour princessl entered the family, she inherited from five generations of ruby collectors. Isuppose she has tho best ruhies in Europe" "She is a very beautiful person." said l. 'Is it possible she is the mother of those grown up childreng'
 "Ees; she married at 16, and is not yet 40 She has been always beautiful and alw avs will be, for her lines are good, and nothing can spoil those resplendent eyes; it is an in- heritancc in the Cortini family-you see that Cesare has them"
 II wonder if the princess would honor me with sitting, and in that dress2" asked. Il think so; the princess is very gracious, and she likes to be admired In fact, my friend, what beautiful woman does nota l will ask her, or better still, you shall get your Euphrosyne to ask her." said good natured old Dr, Sebastiani.
 had not miscalculated on the influence which art ever holds over the Italian mind should not have dared to ask woman oi equal rank in any other country to give me the privilege of painting her portrait, on the ! Very short and imperfect introduction which had had to this eminent lady. But after ( few days, through the interposition of Flu i phroSyne, l was formally presented to the princess, and after an hours talk about pict ures-a subject on which l found him very we'll lnformed-she graciously consented, ol more graciously ordered from me a picture l of herself.
 i It was resplendent moment for my little 1 studio when all these rubies and all thi: | beauty came into it. My sitter had stepped out of one of Titian'S frames to all intents anc purposes magnificent woman; and the effect of this superb toilette was incomparable do not know what jewels do to woman they seem to illuminate her, to bring out hea natural good points. Those blood red stone: on that white neck were so dazzling that threw down my brushes in despair.
 Remember Jan Ten Eyck," said tn, l princess smiling. He said he conquered tn, 1 secrets of color in painting jewels"
 There had before me the most beautiful girl of 19 and the most superb woman of S9 in a humble studio in an old palace il Venice. had some of the most rococo jew elry in the world to copy. 1 had Lucrezis ! Borgia cabinets, Benveuuto Cellini goblets old tapestry and everything else that wa artistic about me; in fact, the moment O my artistic life had arrived. I was in al artists paradise, and yet l despaired; sucl beauty as that before me Is so discouraging What can we do to approach ita think owe Polenta one for helping me at this iunet ure; for he and Miss Sinclair strolled in t join our party; and looking at me with hi Mephistopheles sheer, he said:
 Rather too much for youT' and his eye fell greedily on the jewels
 That was the spur needed, and went ol from that moment bravely.
 ofton paused as l worked to cast loo about my studio, and to wonder at the grou] which gathered about me through the acci dent of travel. Cesare, his sister and Emil had taken up their camp in one corner, an devoted an hour a day to what they calle painting. called it by another name, bu still was glad to have them there. The youn Bianca continued to imuroye under Vh