The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-03-23

At the other side Of the court were
table and three stools, one of which was
reserved for the artist, the others being
occupied by two men who were as
thickly yelled as the judges. One of
them had a quill in his hand. He was
the recorder. The other, who requested
Lucero with naughty gesture to be
seated, suggested the king. Not word
was spoken. Action alone seemed to
suffice.
After the artist had arranged his ma
terial the parsonage at his side gave an
authoritative sign to the grand inquisi-
tor, who repeated it to two myrnidons.
The myrmidons walked to the center Of
the hall and removed cloth beneath
which ball shaped object appeared to
move 1t was the head that Fapresto
was commissioned to depict. 1t was not
lifeless head severed from the body.
On the contrary, it was a very animated,
heroic head, from which pair of
angry, fiery eyes seemed to dart flames.
The brow expressed noble courage
and the lips evinced the utmost con-
tempt. 1t was head of the kind that
warriors revere and women adore.
Fapresto comprehended the situation
at once. He must sketch the agonizing
changes that the Caldaria would make
upon the face.
The artist was not Of timorous ma
ture, but he could not suppress shud-
der. This Torquemadian torture con-
sisted of large metal cask filed with
oil, placed under the floor directly be-
meath an aperture. The delinquent was
forced into the cask, the hiatus giving
to the spectators a full view of the head.
Under the cask slow fire would be ig-
nited and intensified according to the
obstinacy of the prisoner.
Lucero's crayon flew over the parch-
ment. 1t depicted face, the eyes Of
which shot forth contempt, hate and
uncompromising disdain. Fapresto's
neighbor glanced over the artists shout
ders and nodded approvingly.
The grand inquisitor breaks the 81
lence; turning toward the accused he
says: Don Jayne dAvila, confess to
your judges. When did you first speak
to Juana, the daughter of Fernando of
Aragoniat
The lips opened. II have seen her
only from afar and have never spoken
to her."
Don Jayne d'Avila, do not attempt
to deceive your judges. You have been
detected in dishonorable relations with
Juana. Confess. What proof of her
Illicit love has she given your"
AT these words the heroic face flushed
with anger; the eyes shot forth light ming
glances. The knight was surprisingly
handsome at this moment.
"Your question calumniates the one
to whom you and every Spaniard owes
reverence and duty. Were to coun-
tenance your question should feel self
contempt. The queen is as pure and in
nocent as an angel from heaven"
Lucero was about to sketch this indig-
nant visage when his hand was staid
by the parsonage beside him. "Never
mind that; you will have prettier ex-
preston presently"
| He nodded to the inquisitor, who gave
a signal to the two myrmidons. They
hurried away.
Soon D'Avila's expression changed.
The fire had been ignited.
Now, then, Fapresto!
At first the eyes glowed and the veins
upon the brow began to swell. A pre-
sentiment of his fate was mirrored in
the knights face. Despair and the
frightful cognizance of utter helpless
ness disfigured that manly countenance.
1t was an interesting second study.
Twill you answer my question now,
| To A 1oDn lol
out the hall in the hollow, querulous
voice of the grand inquisitor.
MAY my tongue be paralyzed forever
if it respond even in single syllable to
your infamous question"
AT these words the head turned to-
ward the judges again in full possession
of the heroic determination that had
faltered for a moment. The lips were
tightly compressed as though to keep
back an exclamation of pain, and the
eyes expressed derision rather than sub
mission Lucero grasped his crayon for
a third study.
The fire was stirred and famed. From
the white brow large drops of perspira-
ton flowed down the face, upon which
the intense struggle between an iron
will and unspeakable pain was visible
Suddenly the cramped lips opened and
groans were heard that must have
elected pity from hearts less hard than
those in the inquisition.
"Now, Fapresto, drawn
The expression changed as rapidly as
thought and gradually became metallic.
Mind no longer predominated in it. The
eyes rolled wildly in their hollow sockets,
tAe mouth frothed and the lips emitted
Spasmodic curses.
Quick! Quick, Fapresto! The fourth
study will be a gem!"
The fire was again stirred and fed.
''Don Jayne d'Avila, will you answer
my question now" asked the grand in
quisitor in calm but terribly signif-
cant tone.
The head did not respond. 1t had
ceased to anathematize, butt began
to laugh! The excruciating agony had
forced the knight to maddened laughter,
and then to demoniacal yells. This
lorrible laughter caused the myrmidons
| IN trpmbla and T,ucaro UoS conpa11a1