Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-21

account, ana TWO OF them l, heaven nelp-
ing me, wounded, and one, by some devils
trick, wounded me. And after this, the
matter coming to the kings ear. he sent
for me and excused the laughter by show
ing me picture done by rascal called
Giraldo at your court, and the picture was
named after your majesty's most matchless
sister; but, as 1 am true son OF the
church, 1t was more like a gutter wench,
and on my honor and conscience. it squint-
ed most perceptibly. / pray you. sire, find
out the meaning of this thing; and receive
most humble duty and homage from your
devoted servant and since your gracious
ness SO wills 1t, most obliged and obedient
friend, Henri Marquis de Merosailles 1
kiss the hand of the princess
When the king had read this letter he
grew very thoughtful, and, unknown to
Giraldo. h. sent and caught the messenger
whom Giraldo was wont to intrust with
the pictures. and who had carried the pic
ture of which M. de Merosailles wrote to
Glottenberg: and the king Intercepted the
messenger most closely, but got nothing
from him. save that he himself never be-
held the pictures which he carried, but re-
ceived them most carefully packed from
Giraldo, and SO delivered them without un-
doing the coverings. and did wait until the
recipient had inspected the picture So that
the fellow did not know anything about the
picture that had gone to Glottenberg ex-
cept that 1t was certainly the same as
Giraido had intrustei to his hands. But
the king was not satisfied, and, learning
that his sister was at that moment at CT
RADIOS house, being painted afresh by him,
he called half dozen Of gentlemen and set
out on horseback for the place where Giral-
do lived In the street that runs from the
cathedral toward the western gate of Strel-
sau To this day the house stands there
The princess sat and Giraldo painted.
Behind the princess was a window looking
on to the street, and behind Giraldo was a
second door, which led into an inner room.
On Giraldo's easel stood the nearly finished
picture. AMI Giraldo's eyes were aiight both
xxv11 49,.
from the princess to the picture, and from
the picture to the princess again; and she.
seeing something of his admiration, said
with blush:
seemed even to herself a maIvelously love-
ly picture.
mo, madame" answered he For nv
imperfect hand cannot be faithful to per-
fection."
Il pray you, do not fiatter me. Have you.
indeed. shown every fault of my face?'
IF there be fault In your face madame.
there 1t Is also in my picture" said Giraldo
and then she said:
ut IS better, is 1t not, than the picture
you painted for the King of Glottenberg?"
GiraIdo painted a stroke or two before he
answered, carele ssly:
Indeed, madame, 1t is more faithful than
that which the King of Glottenberg has,"
Then less beautiful?" asked Osra with
Nay, do not say that; not less bcauII-
full, he answered.
Perhaps he would like this one better
and give me his in exchange; for I never
saw his after it was finished. think
will ask the king. write to him."
G.raldo had suddenly turned round as
the princess made this suggestion, which
she spoke half in sport, half in continuing
chagrin at the blindness shown. by the
court of Gutenberg. Now he stood star
ing at her with wide open alarmed eyes,
and he dropped his brushes on to the floor.
What ais you. signor?' she cried II
did but suggest exchanging the pictures"
He tried to regain his composure, as he
stopped to pick up his brushes.
''The King of Glottenberg's picture is the
best for him to have" said he suflenly
This one. madame, painted for you your
self, and for you alone"
Il pay the price and can do what 1 will
with the picture" retorted the princess
haught:ly. And II desire, 1 will give it
to the King of Glottenberg'
Giraldo had now turned very pale, and
forgetful Of the picture, stood gazing fix
edly at the princess. For he could TO
longer hold down in secrecy and silence the
passion that possessed him, but it was de-
clared in his eyes and in the trembling of
his limbs: SO that the princess rose from