The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-22

Rudolf desiring to make her a present,
summoned from his home at Verona III
Italy, painter Of very high fame, by
name Giraldo. and commanded HIM to
paint portrait Of the Princess, to be
her brothers gift to her. This command
Giraldo carried out, the Princess GIVING
him every opportunity OF studlng her
features and grudging no time that was
spent bv her in front of his easel, and
the picture, when finished, being pro
nounced to be as faithful as beautiful,
the reputation of Giraldo was greatly en-
HANGED by the painting OF 1t. Ihus II
followed that in many cases, when Tor
eign princes had heard the widespread
praises of Osra's beauty, they sent or
ders to GiraldO to execute for them ana
dispatch with all speed miniatures or
other portraits of the Princess, that they
might Judge for themselves whether she
were in truth as lovely as report said;
and they sent Giraldo large sums OF
money in recompense, adding not sell
dom some further donation in the eX-
press term and condition that Giraldo
Should observe absolute fidelity in his re-
presentation and not permit himself the
least fatterv. For some desired themSel-
YES to court her, and others intended their
sons to ask her hand, if the evidence OF
GiraldO's portraits satisfied their hopes.
Thus Giraldo, although but two or
three years above 80, grew both III fau g
and in wealth, and was very often lnoeDtea
to the Princess for the favor Of Visit 10
his house, that be might again correct
his memory of her face.
Now what several princes had done
before. il CHANGED that the King OF eliot
tenberg also did; and GiTaldo, to all ap
pearapces much pleased, accepted the
command and prayed the Princess 10
visit him: for, he said, this picture wa
to be larger and more elaborate than the
rest and therefore needed more study OF
her. So the Princess Went many times,
and the portrait destined Tor the King Of
Glottenberg (Who was said 10 De seeking
a suitable alliance for bis eldest SOM
grew before her eyes into the most PER
feet and beautiful presentment or hef
which the skill OF Giraldo had ever ac
complished, and surpassed even that
first picture which he had painted by
King Rudolfs command. And the
King had no doubt that, SO soon as the
picture had reach the Court of Glotten
berg, an embassy would come from there
to demand the hand of his sister for the
Crown Prince, proposal which he would
have received with much pleasure and
qualification.
II do not think" said Osra, tossing
her head, shat any such embassy will
come, sire For four or five pictures
have been already painted by Signor
Giraldo in Ike manner, but no embas
sizes have come. 1t seems that my poor
features do not find approval in the
courts of Europe"
And her tone, it must be confessed,
was full of contempt. For the Princess
Osra knew that she was beautiful as il
deed all beautiful ladies are, by the be-
nevolenee of heaven, permitted TO. How
much greater mischief might they work,
if such knowledge were denied them
That's true enough cried Rudolf.
Sand I do not understand the mean
ing of it. But it will not be so at Glot.
-tenSerg For my good brother the
King has eyes in his head and his son
sees no less well. | met them in my
travels and I can speak of it. Most
certainly an embassy will come from
Glottenburg before we are month
older
Yet, strange to say, the same thing
followed on the despatch of the portrait
(which Giraldo sent by certain trusty
messenger, whom he was accustomed to
employ; as had.happened before, no
embassy came, and the King of Glotten
berg excused himself from paying visit
to Strelsau which he and his son had
promised on the invitation of King
Rudolf. Therefore Budolf was very
yexed and Osra also, thinking herself
scorned, was sore at heart, although she
bore herself more proudly than before.
And, bling very greatly disturbed in her
mind concerning her beauty, she went
herself again to Giraldo and charged
him to paint her once more.
ssAnd this picture she said, lis for
nv own eyes and mine alone. There
fore, Signor, paint it faithfully and spare
me not. For If woman be ugly, it is
well she should know it, and it seems
that nobody III the kingdom will tell me
the truth, although | get hints enough
of it from abroad" And she frowned,
and flushed, and was greatly out of tenn
per, as any beautiful lady would in such
a case most naturally be.
Giraldo bowed very low, seeking to
hide the sudden red that dyed his cheek
and to conceal the great JOY which the
command of the Princess gave him. For
by reason of having so often painted the
Princess, of having so curiously studied
her face, and of having spent so much
time in her company, listening to her
conversation and enjoying her wit and
grace, this hopeless young man had be
come so hopelessly and desperately her
lover that he no longer cared to use his
brush in the service Of any other lady or
lord. and staid at Strelsau solely that he
might again and again depict the face
that he loved; and save when she sat be
fore him he seemed now unable to ply
his art at all and had he not received so
many commands for pictures of her he
would have sat ali day lorg idle, think
ing of her,-which indeed was whaG he
did in the intervals between his labor on
her portraits. But she, not imagining
such presumption aud folly on his part,
Thought that ne was glad merely because
she would pay him well; so she promised
him more and more, if only he would
naint her faithfully Aud he gave her
his word that he would paint herin every
rssyect most faithfully.
..gor I desire to know" said Sic
wat / am in truth like; for my mir
xor saws one thing and the King OF Giot-
fenberg-" But here she stopped, re