The Forrest City times., 1892-04-29
massive rings and chain. h..r,,rh h.

sore"S anu Otner strange Ob- lects In the rear. upon a slightly elevated platform. sat several semi. chral mute figures attired in heavy black. their faces covered with a cloth of the same hue. At one side the weak. trembling flicker of a candle intensified the gloom and horror of the place. It was the chamber of the inquisition.
 Alter the artist had arranged his material the parsonage at his side gave an authoritative sign to the grand lnqulsltoE who repeated it to two myrmidons. he myrmidons walked to the center Of the hall and removed cloth, beneath which ball-shaped object appeared to move. It was the head that Fapresto was commissioned 10 depict It was not lifeless head severed from the body. On the con. trary, 1t was very animated. an heroic head, from which pair of angry. fiery eyes seemed to dart flames. The brow expressed noble courage. and the lips evinced the utmost contempt It was head of the kind that war. riors revere and women adore.
 Fapresto comprehended the situa. tion at once. He must sketch the agonizing changes that the caldaria would make upon the face.
 The artist was not of a timorous nature but he could not suppress a shudder. This Torquemadian torture consisted of a large metal cask filled with oil. placed under the floor. di- rectly beneath an aperture. The de. llnquent was forced into the cask. the hiatus giving to the spectators full view of the head Under the cask a slow fire would be ignited and inten. sified according to the obstinacy of the prisoner.
 Lucero 8 crayon flew over the parch- ment It depicted face the eyes of which shot forth contempt hate and uncompromising disdain. Fapresto s neighbor glanced over the artist s shoulder and nodded approvingly.
 The grand inluisitor breaks the silence; turning toward the accused, he says: Don Jayne d'Avila. confess to your judges: When did you first speak to Juana the daughter of Fer nando Of AragoniaP"
 The lips opened T have seen her only from afar, and have never spoken to her.n
 '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 forth 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 1 to coun- tenance your question 1 should feel self-contempt The queen is as pur e and innocent as an angel from heaven
 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 presentiment of his fate was mir
 
 and the frightful cognizance of utter helplessness disfigured that manly countenance It was an interesting second study
 Twill you answer my question now. Don Jayne d Avila?' resounded throughout the hall in the hollow. queruous voice of the grand inquisi- tor
 May my tongue be paralyzed for ever if it respond even in single syllable to your infamous question
 The fire was stirred and famed. From the white brow large drops of precipitation flowed down the face. upon which the intense struggle be- tween an iron will and unspeaka ble pain was visible Suddenly the cramped lips opened and groans were heard that must have elicited pity from hearts less hard than those in the inquisition.
 Now. Fapresto draw!"
 The expression changed as rapidly as thought and gradually became metallic. Mind no longer predomi- mated in it The eyes rolled wildly in their hollow sockets the mouth frothed. and the lips emitted spas modic curses
 Quick Quick. Fapresto! The fourth study will be gemr'
 The fire was again stirred and fed.
 Don Jayne d Av.la will you answer my question now" asked the grand inquisitor. in 8 calm but terri bly, 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 faccid yellow hue. The features returned somewhat to their natural lines. but furrows in the shape of diminutive reptiles appeared to fit across the countenance. Not ves:ige of youth or beauty remained the sixth sketch was finished.
 The inquisitor again queried: will you reply. Don Jayme?"
 The head had comprehended. Slow ly it was lifted the eyes opened wild ly 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.
 Well Fapresto why do you hesi- tateP This is the most interesting studv of all