San Saba County news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1874-19??, 1892-05-06

severed from the body. On the cop-
trary, it was very animated. an heroic
head, from which a pair OF angry.
fiery eyes seemed to dart flames The
brow expressed a noble courage and
the lips evinced the utmost contempt
1t was head OF thu Kind that war
riors revere and women adore.
Fapresto comprehended the situa-
ton at Once He must sketch the
agonlzing changes that tie caldaria
would make upon the face
The artist was not Of a rigorous
nature. but he could not suppress a
shudder. This Torqueinadian torture
consisted OF a large metal cask filed
with oil placed under the floor, di-
rectly beneath an aperture The de-
linquent was forced into the cask, the
hiatus giving to the spectators a full
view of tho head UndLr the cask a
slow fire would be ignited and inten-
sifed according to the obstinacy Of the
prisoner
Lucero's crayoa hew over the parch-
ment 1t depicted face. the eyes of
which shot forth contempt hate aud
uncompromising disdain. Fapresto' S
neighbor glanced over the artist
shoulder and nodded approgingly.
The grand inquisitor breaks the
silence; turning toward the accused.
he says: Don Jayne d'Avila confess
to your judges: When did y~H first
speak to Juana the daughter OF Fer
nando of AragoniaP"
The lips opened Il have seen her
only from affair." 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- Contest"
At these words the heroic face
flushed with anger; the eyes shot fctsL
lightning glances The knight was
surprisingly handsome at this mo-
ment.
Your question calumniates the one
to whom you and every Spaniard owes
reverence and duty. Were to coun-
tenanee your question 1 should feel
seli-contempt The queen is as pure
and innocent as an angel from heaven"
Soon DAvila's expression changed
The fire had been ignited-
Now, then, Faprestoln
At first the eyes glowed and the
veins upon the brow began 70 swell.
A presentiment OF his fate was mir
rored in the knights face Despair
and the frightful cognizance OF utter
helplessness disfigured that manly
countenance. 1t was an interesting
second study.
"Will you answer my question now.
Don Jayne d'kvilaP" resounded
throughout the hall IN the hollow.
querulous voice of the grand inGuisi-
tor
May my tongue be paralyzed for
ever if it respond even in q single
syllable to your Infamous question"
The fire was stirred and famed.
From the white brow large drops Of
perspiration flowed down the face.
upon which the intense struggle be-
tween an iron will aud unspeakabla
pain was visible Suddenly the
cramped lips opened and groans were
heard that must have ELECTED pity
rom hearts less hard than those In
he inquisition.
Now. Fapresto. drawi"
The expression changed as rapidly
thought and gradually became
letallic. Mind no longer predomi-
ated in it. The eyes rolled wildly
their hollow sockets. the mouth
othed. aud the lips emitted spas-
odic curses
Quick! Quick, Fapresto! The
urth study will be GEM"
The FIRE was again stirred and fed.
Don Jayne d Ay:la will you
swer my question now?' asked the
and inquisitor. in a calm but terri
significant tone.
The head did not respond. The
person at the artists side again
nodded. The grand inquisitor under
stood. He ordered the flames to be
partially extinguished; otherwise the
victim would too soon be delivered
from torture.
The face slowly lost its rudoy color
and took a faccid. yellow hue The
features returned somewhat to their
natural lines. but burrows in the shape
Of diminutlve reptiles appeared to fit
across the countenance Not vesage
of youth or beauty remained the sixth
sketch was finished
The inquisitor again queried: ''Wisl
you reply Don Jayme"
The head had comprehended. Slow
" it was lifted; the eyes opened wild
" as though they would dart from
their sockets; the chin shook and fell
The scene was an awful one The
cold-hearted and rapacious artist
shuddered as he turned away.
We'll Fapresto. why do you hest
tate? This is the most interesting
study of all"
The phantom head spoke in thick,
stertorous voice: ''Felipe-in seven
days. shall-answer your
The eyes rolled. the lids sank heav-
lily. the lips became blue and remained
open, the head drew to one side and
fell heavily upon the fagstOne- Every
feature stiffened.
.Extinguish the fire!' cried the IN
quisitor.
.Is not this a magnificent studye
Draw it carefully and at your leisure
He has tainted They will revive
him presently"
They did not succeed, however. He
had not tainted. He was dead
You stupid fellowl" cried the art
list when Don Jayme's death was au-
nounced. Was it necessary for you
to die at the eighth sketchP lose
four thousand picayunesr'
DO not fear; you will receive the
full amount for the eight studies.
They have been superbly executed.
Now go home and retouch them "
Lucero stepped into the sedan and
was conveyed TO his study.
In four days the portraits were fin
ished. They were executed with ter
rible fidelity. Felipe praised them
highly and sent them to the queen.
On the fifth day 1t was announced
that the queen was insane. On the
sixth day the grandees of CASTLE were
assembled in the Escurial, when they
were informed by Felipe that in con-
sequence of the queens deranged
! l. IL