Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-29

I to his own apartment after mathis and had in
formed him that the Lord Bishop Of Perusia was
passing through the monastery on his way to
Firense, bringing letters from the Holy Father
himself to Lorenzo de Medici and TO his guest
Galeazzo Sforzi, Duke of Milan.
"It is useless" he sighed; '1 cannot do it.
He gathered his brushes slowly together, aud
went to the refectory for his midday meal.
The afternoon found him again before his can
vas, yet making no further progress with it. Be
yond the large window the sun shone hotly on
the green lawn Of the courtyard. He stood at
the window looking out as it vaguely busted
rather with his thoughts than with the scene
before him, so that he started as a procession Of
monks, headed by the Abbot and richly dress
ed stranger, across the grass in the direction
Of his room. One glance at the magnificent &C.
cesiasticism of the visitors garb told him that
this could be no other than the Lord Bishop OF
Perugia, powerful Prince of the Church.
He rose and bowed low as the cortege entered
his room. When he raised his eyes again to the
Bishops face, he remained staring at it as though
it were a vision
Yet it was scarcely a prepossessing counte-
nance. The Lord Bishop was immensely tall. Be-
side him, the stout, rubicund vsage Of the Alb
bot Paolo The Bishops head was bald, save for
scanty ring of sandy hair encirclng his tonsure.
His eyes were pale blue and shifty, save when
they fixed themselves on some definite object, in
which case they were apt to look trAe ma1ig
nant. Above them, the long shaggy eyebrows
were of the same sandy color as his hair His
nose was large and Aashy, and his lips shut tight
ly together like steel trap. Upon the left-hand
side of the face, just below his mouth large
mole disfgured his chin, giving rise to half
dozen strong sandy hairs. Brother Giovanni
stared at him as though he were unable to remove
his eyes.
"Ay," said the Lord Bishop, raising his jeweled
fingers by way of benedliction. $50 this is the
picture?"
He gazed at it steadily. "You have wrought
well, my brother" he said, fixing his eyes stern
ly upon Giovanni yours is indeed wonder
full talent and it behoves you to see that you use
it worthily. Such art is in itself religion. Yet
tell me- he continued, scanning the picture mar
rowly, what figure do you propose placing here
where you have left the canvas imperfect?"
"If it pleases your Lordship," stammered Fra
Giovanni nervously, 'it was my intention to de-
pict here the Iscarot chafering for his pieces of
silver. He shall be shown holding out his hand
while he gances furtively over his shoulder, as
though fearing that he should meet with miracu-
lous destruction"
ct is well thought off, said the Bishop, grave
ly-"a striking conception indeed. Wherefore
is it not yet finished as is the rest of the pic
ture?"
"Alas, my Lord!" said Giovanni, there were
difficulties in the way. Yet now | NAV promise
that it shall not be long before it is completed"
"See that it is so,' said the Bishop Work
worthily and reverently at your craft my broth
er, and do not misuse the talent that hath been
vouchsafed to you. So shall you surely meet
with your reward-not in silver or gold as do
the artists of the world, but in manner fitting