The Portland daily press., 1892-03-12
HIS "NAJESTT. !"

Juana, the wife of King Felipe, pas
Eonately loved tho art of painting, and
practiced il with admirable results. 1t
was of coIzrse runored that the poor
queen had become deranged, and that
this artistic application was q diversion
suggested by physicians. It is certain,
however, that her highness became a
consummate artist. Her perception
was keen and her hand true; an inter-
eeting face, seen but once, she could de-
pict in shape readily recognizable both
In feature and character.
One day it pleased her royal husband
to scan the album wherein the versatile
hand of the queen had sketched from
her rich fancy and reproduced scenes
from her charming surroundings.
At that time, let it be understood,
Juana alone was addressed as "Your
Majesty" Her spouse, in consequence
Of being the offspring Of foreign
sovereign, was addressed as ''Your High
ness" and upon all official documents
requiring both signatures one read,
''Juana regina" and underneath ran the
other, Felipe, rex This king by mar
rage found in his wife's sketchbook
numerous and varied portraits of re-
markably handsome knight. Sometimes
he was portrayed as victorious hero;
then as g praying pilgrim, and again as
a kneeiing lover. This truly handsome
face must have occupied the queens
fancy. for it was often depicted, and in
q manner strikingly conscientious and
ardent. One could see at a glance that
the heart had assisted the hand.
The visage was not that of King Fe-
Epe. The face was wholly unknown to
him. Perhaps it was merely an ideal Wis
ion of youth such as appears to maidens in
romantic dreams-a supernatural being.
This was Felipe's first conjecture as he
gazed upon the pictures, but upon fur
ther reflection his conception of them
became less innocent. He was seized
with jealousy, and jealousy and revenge
go hand in hand in Spain. An inquiry
ent to the grand inquisitor anent the
original Of the sketches, a wink to the
argus eyed officers of the inquisition and
the information was not long in coming.
The man with the handsome knightly
countenance; the full. red, laughing lips;
the large, luminous eyes underneath the
thick. dark, bold eyebrows was-se the
grand inquisitor informed the king
Don Jayne d'Avila, a marrano.
At that time n1arrano-which is the
Spanish term for pig-was maraud-
ing knight and generally an apostate.
Although p-oselytes they were strongly
suspected of heresy and consequently
bitterly prosecuted, despite the fact that
they were the flower and the glory of
the Andalugian nobility, celebrated for
their valcr in tournament, their chivalric
department and their bravery in battle.
Tt was not impossible that Don Jayne
a'Avila bore no particular resemblance
to the pictures in the queens sketch
book, but he was q mariana and the
wealttiest Spanish nobleman of the
time This was enough for the judges
Of the inQuisition.
There lived in CASTLE an artist of re-
hown. His reputation was not achieved
by creating new school or the painting
of valuable masterpieces, but by his
wonderful ouickness and accuracy in
kketching portraits. His name was Luis
de Lucero, bat he was known among his
eonfreres rs Fapresto the Rapid. King
Feline sent for Fapresto.
NMaster," said the king, "you are to
snake several sketches of living coun-
banance. The person will be at your dis
hosition for two hours. How many
copies can you deliver in that timer
GAS many as your majesty COM
snands"
"No fiattery! Imprimis, am not adj
Eyessed as Majesty and, secondly, an
Fgtist cannot be commanded. Shall you
he able to make ten good portraits of the
aace within two hours if you receive
compensation Of 1900 picayunes per
gnpy?"
The painters greedy eyes glittered.
"H your majesty crave pardon, but
D find the appellation just-if it please
-four majesty to honor me with 1900
Elcsyunes for each drawing, shall guar
sntee to make fifteen copies
"Goodi You shall have the sum; but
q the face you are to delineate change
Esom time to time and the expressions
gary constantly, will it not confuse you?
Remember, the countenance will not be
VA ordinary one; on the contrary, it is
10 be an extraordinary, a remarkable
fsce."
.'Oh, your majesty, an outre face is
oyer fascinating study! 1t is some
thing for which real artist yearns. If
j. eph subject await me | shall gladly
ksrtray it for less money-say 5000
Fsayunes.'
"Silenca! One does not bargain with
g7svants IN the Escurial. Go to the Al
gawzips chamber. You will there re-
S.aye material for your work"
In the chamber they handed the ar
TIT the necessary material and request
ei HIM to step into closed sedan.
F3r long time he was carried through