Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-01-04

Therefore this shall be devoted, like
all thy earnings, good and kind father
TO the general benefit of the family" 4"
Two large tears stole through the
closed eyes of the poor artist; but he
said nothing. Perhaps Elisa betta's low
ing deceit, aided by the natural vanity
OF mankind, made him actually believe
that his daughter unselfish gifts were
but due requital for his instruction
In art But he made no opposition,
and her future earnings were all APP
propriated to the domestic wants of
the family. Night and day did the
young Bolognese toll at her easel Yet
it was labor of love; for she had that
earnest devotion and enthusiasm for art
which constitute the true riches and re-
ward ofgenius, entirely independent of
worldly success But this latter did
not fail Elisa beta. A woman, lovely
even among the beautiful of Italy, she
attracted the attention of the connois
seurs of her native city, who saw with
surprise young maiden of twenty ex-
ecute with facility works equal to
many of the most renowned artists of
the day. Her quicl.ness of hand was
extraordinary; her slight fingers
seemed merely to play with the pencil,
and the pain ting grew under them al
most by magic The numb of pic
lures which yearly came from her easel
was astonishing; but Elisa betta had
that strongest spur of all to diligence
she was working for the daily bread
of those most dear to her. and who
could only trust to her for support
According to the usual custom of the
Italian painters, Andrea Sirani had
formed a school of young artists, who
profted by his instructions and imi-
tated his style. Among these was the
favorite companion of Elisa be tia, Gin
ezra Cantofoli From earliest girl hood
there had been friendly rivalry be-
tween the two-at first amicabl and
then, as Elisabetta's success incre ased,
becoming gradually more serious,
though it was not appare It. Every
new triumph Of the daughter of Sirani
| gave paug to the heart of Ginevra,
until at last the wild passions of the
south were all aroused in her bosom,
and jealous rivalry took the place ot
her old love for her childhood's friend
bettas but EN- bittered this feeling
which became the stronger for con
cealment When, in the sincerity o.
her friendship, Elisa BETA praised and
encouraged her young rival, and al
times assisted Ginevra in her pictures
by the touches of her own superior
hand, no feeling save envy and dislik,
entered the heart of the proud anc
desperate Italian. Even her beauty
and Ginevra was very beautiful-she
counted as nothing compared with tina
of Elisa BETA.
But all unconscious of this the art
lists daughter went on her way-hei
loving and quiet spirit untrou bled by
any of those violent passions which
distracted Ginevra-pursuing her art
with unwearied diligence. She rarely
Joined in the amusements of the ladies
of Bologna; her sole recreation was
her favorite science of music. Often
in the delicious Italian evenings Elisa
beta would take her harp the instru-
ment in which she excelled, and for
hours together draw from it the swee T.
est sounds, giving up he whole soul to
music.
One night she was thus occupied,
when Conte Malvasia entered unob
served. He went up to the couch
where Andrea Sirani whose sufferings
were little abated, lay watching the
sunset and occasionally turning his
eyes to where Elisa BETA sat bending
over her harp Her form had lost its
angularity in the roundness of woman.
hood; her hair was knotted behind in