El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-26
The Student
OF Bologna.

1t was a great and unexpected piece Of
news that Gaspardo Bellini carried to
his fellow artists one fine morning. It
was that the wealthy and beautiful Lady
Blanca had promised her hand in mar
riage to that student of Bologna who
should paint the two best pictures from
subjects of his own choosing.
Before the sun went down that day
each student in the school of Gaspardo
Bellini had chosen his two subjects end
made some preparations for his work.
Giuseppe's subjects were st Cecilia
and a 'Street Scene In Bologna" AL
berto's were the Lady Blanca at YES
pers" and "St. Michael the Archangel."
Two years was the given time. and the
Lady Blanca during that time secluded
herself in a convent.
The day on which the Lady Blanca
was to redeem her promise Alberto
walked toward the cathedral leaning. on
Giuseppe's arm.
Saints preserve usr' exclaimed Giu-
seppe. ''Tberc is little Stephano dressed
in girls clothes"
mo, no: IL is Rosinar' calculated AL
berto. rushing forward i'm the crowd
He returned in a few seconds looking
disappointed.
Poor Rosina. 1 coulj not find her."
he said.
On the gates OF the cathedral a paper
was posted which contained the names Of
the successful paintings.
The two friends pushed their way to
the gates.
II am blind, Giuseppe 1 cannot see."
said Alberto. Tell me their names"
Come. let us go away replied Gu
scope. with blanched cheeks
mo. no. Giuseppe. Tell me, tell mel
"David aud Nathan and The Sermon
on the Mount said Giuseppe hoarsely.
These are the duke'sr' gasped Al
berto. suffering his friend to lead him
away. Il have lost my Blanca. But
come, Giuseppe" he added. 1--WE will
go to the cathedral"
Vainly did Giuseppe protest Alberto
would have his way. and tho two friends
entered the old cathedral and took seats
in the gloomy transept
'See, see. AIbertol There are the
paintings" exclaimed Giuseppe in rap
ture.
'Merciful beaveusr calculated Al
berto. The hand of an angel painted
them. lie deserves thee. my Bianca!
On the opposite wall. facing the young
men. with the rich light of the eastern
chanceI windows falling directly on them,
were the two paintings
One represented Nathan as he de-
nounced David with the words, Thou
art the man."
The other painting. called '"The Ser
mon on the Mount" represented q wom-
an ministering to the wants of beggar.
The face of the woman Alberto recog-
nized ut once. 1t had been drawn from
q portrait of the Lady Blanca.
Presently there was the flourish of
trumpets, and the organs swelled joy
ously as the Lady Blanca moved slowly
up the aisle. She looked up ut the paint
ings. and a blush came into her face.
Then she kneit devoutly for few sec
onds. the music died away, and there was
a profound Hence in The vast cathedral.
The Count aulo. her uncle, turned and
faced the congregation.
alberto ] omani will take his place by
the Lady Bianca's side as a reward for
his genius
The counts voice rang through the ca
thedral.
wake up. wake up. Alberto-' e1-
claimed Giuseppe. "You are the bride
groom-the count says you are. St. Mi
chael must have painted those pictures
for you and sent the angels to place them
in the church"
Alberto knelt by the side of the blush
ing Blanca and received the bishops
blessing. AS they rose from their knees
a shrill voice at the end Of the church
called out:
LET me go. I say. and denouacs the
paintings are not hisi'
Alberto recognized the voice of his mas
ter. Gaspardo Bellini- Lady Blanca drew
from close by to her husbands side
What does the old man mean. my AL
berto? They cannot now separate what
heaven hath made one"
Old Gaspardo at length succeeded in
raa rhinU hn fhroxu hfrnSalf
on his knees at the nobleman's feet.
Pardon. my lord count-pardon AL
berto. The paintings are not his. but
were drawn by my servant. the boy
The count put his hand to his sword
when the bishop stepped from the altar
Return your sword to its sheath. my
son: the house of God is no place for such
weapons. Send for Stephano and hear
the whole of the story"
Here I am. my lord bishop" And a
slight. girlish figure in a peasants dress
stepped forward and kneeled at the
feet. 81 am Stephano. and
It was L who gave Alberto's name for my
paintings. ! loved him, and I know that
he and the Lady Blanca loved each 9th
err"
"why did you give his name for your
OWN" asked the bishop.
Because" and the girls voice trem-
bled. 81 knew my paintings would win
the prize. for did them because I loved
my art"
'Rosina," exclaimed Alberto, coming
to the girls side, "were you Stephano.
the drudge Of our school?'
81 was, Alberto. I followed you from
our own valley because ! loved you"
Blanca raised the kneeling girl and
kissed her tenderly.-
Once again the old cathedral was
The great organ sadly and re-
lnct ntlr xxaxo tho harrnonv for tho roaui-