Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-01-10

On the bank of the Arno FerC-
nand ordered a new chapel to
be erected, and in order to
give Lorenzo an occupation and
pastime he commissioned him
to adorn the interior with paintings.
Lorenzo worked diligently. From
early dawn till late dusk he was lock-
ed up in the chapel and even when he
left it he locked the door behind him
lest no one saw his work till it was
finished.
Once Lorenzo did not leave the sa-
cred edifice for three days, nor then
did he admit any one, so that his
anxious assistants hurried to the
Duke to inform him that some harm
must have befallen their master, as
he had already remained in the chap
three days without food or drink.
Now the Duke himself FASTENED
there, and when all the calling and
knocking remained fruitless, he order
ed the door burst open.
Astounded he gazed around him,
for the ceilings and the walls bore
without exception the one and the
same female face-the same face with
the palm-bearing Saints ascending to
Heaven as with the Angels smiling
down on them; the same charmingly
beautiful woman face with the peni-
tent Mrgdalen and the Madonna Of
the altar painting. And the face
which filled the whole house of God
was ever the same-it was the coun'
tenance of Rosaura Montalboni.
The artist himself was seated on
the pulpit, his stold glancing gliding
from one image to the other; he rec
ognized neither his friend the Grand
Duke, nor his companions, he saw
nothing but his painted phantoms
He had become insane and so re
manned till he died.
The Duke ordered the plaster re
moved from the walls, had the church
dedicated anew and closed it.
The Prince was yet young; he
knew not yet what witchcraft there
is in the eyes of woman and that they
are irresistible.
For the fourth time Rosaura Mon
talboni was brought before the higl
tribunal; and this time they put
q death mask on her fac,
lest the beaming of her beauti
full eyes, the smile of her purpl,
lips again bring the Law to naught
cart thou that fair Rosaura Mon
talboni who causes the perdition o
young and old through the charm o
her contenance?"
Thus the the Judge asked tn
death mask.
81 am" replied the death mask
How hollow the answer sounded iron
behind the disguise.
SIS it true that whatsoever behold
thee loses his reason over thy beau
tyr"
at is true" responded the deaf
mask, turning the frightening Ion
face to the inquirer.
"Knowest thou the number of thos
who for thy sake rushed into deaf
in order to cast off the life that ha,
become to them a cursor
The death mask sobbed. tits true
no tears poured from the empty ey
holes, but the sounds of weeping per
etrated through the hard bones {
the mask
"Rosaura Montalboni, listen to TIL
judgement inflicted upon thee by tn
tribunal:
For the whole duration of thy lii
thou shalt remain imprisoned and 81
cluded from all other prisoners. Blu
lest thou highest seduce with thy fai
face thy gaolers or their superior
thou shall wear this death mask a
long as thou livest, that evel yb ID
who behold thee be frightened an
feel only terror instead of love 70
thee"
Did Rosaura Montalboni turn pal
when this sentence was pronounced
Did her charming features culver j
horror? Did the rosy lips tremble i
pain and dismay? The death mas
remained stiff and immovable.
After 80 years Ferdinand died.
He was followed by Casino til
Third.
AT his ascension to the throne h
issued general amnesty for all VIII
languished in the prisons of hi
realm.
1t was the duty of the Judges t
search in the records and to establis
in each case whittier the amnesty wa
deserved Then it was learned ths
there was woman in prison who's
offense had consisted in being ito
beautiful" For this she had bee
imprisoned for life andcondemned t
wear n death mask.
When they released and remove
the death mask they discovere
under it IL face just as cadaverou
withered, with deep sunk eyes, ski
clinging to the bones as the masl
This was Rosaura Montalboni wht
long, long years ago, had been col
demned so cruelty she was "to
beautiful.