Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-11

suppose. Now, Daphne, show us your scholar.
ship by translatiug them What does the word
over the entrance meanW
"Over the entrance?" said Daphne, turning
her eyes upon the carved porch. 'Revenient;
that means He shall return
Daphne turned and became absorbed in the
contemplation of the scenery.
what peak is that to the left Frank"
"That," l replied, "is the Silver Horn of the
Jungfrau."
And I proceeded to deliver a lecture, inter
woven with graceful legends and poetic quota
tions, specially prepared for this occasion. in
order that ] might shine in Daphne's eyes, A
sudden exclamation from her. however, put
period to my eloquence.
"Who is this coming up the mountainpath?
have been watching him for long time
1t. was indeed Angelo, looking in the plctur-
esque costume he was wearing more handsome
and romantic than ever.
"Angelo" cried my uncle after the first greet
ings were over, I'm delighted to see you! But
tell us how you came to be here, for | thought
that outside of Switzerland few beside myself
knew of the existence of this secluded valley
"Rivoli is my native place. replied Angelo;
'I thought you were an Italian" l remarked
frigidly.
''My parents were both Italians" replied the
artist, "but | was born in that cottage and
he pointed far down the valley to tenement.
"I have no parents nor any relations lett. MY
old nurse still lives; and I make point OF visit
ing Rivoli each wear to breathe the mountain
air, and to see that the old dame does not want"
"a very pious and proper proceeding on your
part" / remarked.
"I arrived here only last night" Angelo con-
tinued, and hearing that lady and two
Englishmen had taken up their residence at the
Chalet Varina, guessed at once from the descrip-
ton who they were. I determined to call in the
morning to present my compliments.
"And so Rivol is your native place, SAID
Daphne "Why of course, have heard you say
so many time. How stupid of me to have for
gottenl l remember now to have seen sketch
of it in your portfolio. How lucky, papa, that
YOU hit on this spot!'
"What lovely violet hue those distant noun
tain have!" she continued. 'I wonder Mr.. Vasari.
YOU never tried to transfer this scene to canvas.
Canvas? Ah that reminds me" said my
uncle. Il have been very remiss in not compll-
menting you upon the success of your picture
that your Fall OF Caesar is the pic
ture of Paris this season.
"What, Mr. Vasari! Have you painted pic
ture that is creating sensation at Paris? Why
did you not tell of this before, papa? This is
the first that Frank and l have heard of it.
It was, but it was far from being the last we
were to hear of the artists memorable master
piece
"Well. you see" my uncle replied apologeti-
cally 81 did not know it myself till last night,
when ! saw it in the Standard"
At the mention of the word Standard, there
appeared on the artists face the same peculiar
expression that 1 had previously noticed.
"And have you really made great name?"
said Daphne, looking admiringly at the artist. II
am so glad! But tell me all about your picture !
What is the subject"
The Fall of Caesar" 1t represents the hero.
as we may suppose him to have been few minute
after his death, lying at the base of Pompey's
statue.
"Did the work take you long,"
"The actual canvas-work-no; the elaboration
Of the idea which led to the work-yes for il |
las been the outcome of a lifetime of thought.
began the work about year ago, a year this
autumn, and finished it last-last Christmas"
lie hesitated at the word.
1--WE must see your picture, Mr.. Vasari, when
We come to Paris" said Daphne.
'T am afraid it is impossible for you to see
t. Miss Leslie" he replied, "unless you are ac
luainted with the Baron de Argandarez He pur
hased it from me. 1t adorns the walls of his
astle, and | have no more to do with it.
"If Won care to view minor performance of
nine, visit the cathedral at Rvol. 1t contains
Madonna painted by me while on a visit last
ear. I should like you to view it, Miss Leslie
or a reason that will at once become apparent
when you see it."
Daphnc's curiousty raised to the highest
,oint and she cried:
"You hear, papa? We must visit the cathedral
his very morning, and solve Mr. Vasari's
nigma"
Every we'll" replied her father. rising. "I
hink | have solved it already and, as I begin
o feel hungry qualms meath the fourth button
f my waistcoat, suppose you indoors and see
What progress is being made with breakfast.
angelo, you will join us, of course"
OF course he would!
Our breakfast-room was a small prettily fur
ished apartment.
After breakfast over Daphne repeated her (
wish to visit the cathedral without delay and ran
Fl to change her dress for the journey My uncle
withdrew for a similar purpose, leaving me to
ntertain the artist. He occupied himself with /
he files of the Standard, turning them over with !
eft fingers as if selecting certain one from c
mong the number. a
Looking for the critique, I suppose in order +
o read what great man he is thought
Daphne and my uncle now reappeared. e
eve are bound for the cathedral, I presume =" @
aid Angelo, assuming his sombrero and cloak t
nth a graceful air "Wil Miss Leslie mind If j
smoke cigar? No? Thank you. And as see t
o matches here, Mr., Leslie will perhaps not il
bject if I tear off small piece of this news. |
aper" he did not wait for leave however. but f
lited the action to the word-"to light it with " C
nd with peculiar smile he ignited the twisted
iece of paper at the fire. I
There was in his lighting of that cigar curl. ]
us air of triumph that puzzled me very much b
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