The Forrest City times., 1892-04-29
RICHNESS AND MAJESTY.

Juana the wife of King Felipe, pas sionately loved the art of painting and practiced it with admirable results. Ii was, of course rumored that the poor queen had become deranged and that this artistic application was diver sion suggested by physicians It is certain. however. that her highness became Q consummate artist Her perception was keen and her hand true; an interesting face, seen but once, she could depict in a shape readily recognizable both in feature and charater
 One day it pleased her royal hus- band to scan the album wherein the versatile hand of the queen had sketched from her rich fancy and re- produced 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 Higness. and upon all official docu- ments requiring both signatures one read "Juana regina and under heath ran the other. Felipe. rex. :" The king by marriage found in his wifes sketchbook numerous and varied portraits of Q remarkably handsome knight. Sometimes he was portrayed as victorious hero; then as pray ing pilgrim; and again as kneeling lover This truly handsome face must have occupied the queens fancy, for it was often depicted and in man. per strikingly conscientious and ar dent One could see at glance that the heart had assisted the hand.
 The visage was not that of King FelipA The face was wholly un- ly an ideal vision of youth such as ap- pears to maidens in romantic dreams a supernatural being This was Fe- lipe's first conjecture as he gazed up- on the pictures; but upon further re- flection his conception of them be- came less innocent He was seized with jealousy. and jealousy and re- venge go hand in hand in Spain. An inquiry sent 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 knigntly countenance the full red laughing lips the large luminous eyes underneath tho thick dark. bold eyebrows was-so the grand Inquisitor informed the king Don Jayne d'Avila, marrano
 At that time a which Is the Spanish term for a pig-~as u marauding knight and generally an apostate. Although proselytes they were strongly suspected Of heresy, and consequently bitterly prosecuted despite the fact that they were the flower and the glory of the Andalusian nobility. celebrated for their valor in tournament their chivalric deport- ment and their bravery in battle. It was not impossible that Don Jayne d Avila bore no particular resemblance to the pictures In the queens sketch book; but he was marrano and the wealthiest Spanish nobleman Of the time. This was enough for the judges of the inquisition.
 There lived in Castle an artist of renown. His reputation was not achieved by creating a new school or ths painting of valuable masterpieces. but by his wonderful quickness and accuracy in sketching portraits. His name was Luis de Lucero but he was known among his confreres as Fapres- to the Rapid. King Felipe sent for Fapresto.
 Master !" said the king. you are to make several sketches Of living countenance. The person will be at your disposal for two hours. How many copies can you deliver Tn that time?n
 .As many as your majesty com mands.
 No tattery. Imprimis am not addressed as majesty and secondly and artist can not be commanded. Shall you be able to make ten good portraits of the face within two hours if you receive a compensation of 7, 0J0 picayunes per copyP"
 The painters greedy eyes glittered
 If your majesty-l crave pardon but find the appellation Just-if 1t please your majesty to honor me with { 0Gs picayunes for each drawing l shall guarantee to make fifteen copies"
 .Good You shall have the sum; but if the face you are to delineate change from time to time and the ex- pressions vary constantly will it not confuse youp Remember the coun- teuance will not be an ordinary one; on the contrary it is to be an extra ordinary. a remarkable face"
 Oh your majesty, an outre face is ever a fascinating study! It is some- thing for which a real artist yearns If such a subject await me l shall gladly portray it for less money-say 8. 900 picayunes.
 with servants in the Escurial. Go to the alynazil's chamber. You will there receive material for your work. "
 In the chamber they handed the artist the necessary material and re- Quested him to step into a closed se- dan. For long time he was car ried through eehoing halls and cor riders Finally the carriers stopped in what the artist surmised must either be room with low ceiling or one which was thronged with people for the echoes ceased
 The doors Of the sedan were opened and Lucero stepped out. At the first Ulanca he recopnized the niaee AL