The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-02-07
THE ROSE OF THE ALEXANDRIA
Continued from page fifteen.l

consented to let her niece appear in
public, but wherever Jacinta went
there was F~redegonda at her elbow
warning off With frigid frowns any OF
the opposite sex who Nentured to pay
compliments to the fair minstrel. The
fame of Jacinta's musical ability
spread until nothing else was talked
of in all Andalusia. Now, just at this
time q very gloomy state OF affairs
prevailed at the Spanish court which
was then at San Ildefonso, that royal
residence the fountains, gardens. ter
races and Of which were de-
signed to eclipse the glories Of Yer
~sailleS.
The hyp~ochrondriac Philip. as is
Well known. was accustomed to keep
to his bed for weeks, grooming under
imaginary complaints, while his
strong-minded Queen managed the at
fairs of state with an expert and
steady hand. Music had been found
most potent for dispelling the Vapors
from the mind of the half-crazed
monarch. and always at the court was
a bod of musicians led by the ceie-
brated Italian singer F~arinelli, Whose
business it was to charm ava the
spectres from the royal brain. But
sust now their art was pOWerleSS.
Philip, after a long spell of imaSina-
ry illness, had died: That is he said
he was dead, and no one would he
rash enough to dispute the King Now
the Queen and the counters would
not have minded his uch- fact.
it would have been a relief to them
if the King would only have remain
ed in the quiescent state becoming 4
dead man. But he wouldn't. He
declared that now he was dead they
must bury him; and as they rather
Ihesitated to do so he grew peevisii
and reviled them heartily for their
lack of respect and obedience.
1t was disgraceful. he declared, the
way they refused to give him sepul~
chre, and he began to talk Of hish
treason and other unpleasant ElinSs
if they did not begin with the funeral
right away. Here was a state Of
things. The Kings Word was law;
but still he was not dead really, and
however much they might have been
tempted to comply with his orders
and bury him once and for all, they
hesitated. In the midst Of this fear
full dilemma news reached the court
Of the newlv discovered musical mar
vel in Andalusia, and Jacinta was
summoned to court to see what effect
her magic lutte would have upon the
monarch. IF your powers equal your
renown,' said the Queen to the mai
evil spirit which possesses thy soy
7 den when Jacinta arrived at San Hide
!, ereign, thy fortune shall be my care
: and hOnOrs and wealth attend thee
The Queen, followed by a crowd of
Icourtiers, took Jacinta to the darken-
ed room where, with yellow candles
burning at his head and feet. Philip
lay upon his bed with crossed hands.
. r%eviling the attendants because they
= would not bury him. Seated on a
footstool in an obscure corner, Jacinta
: struck her lutte and drew forth such
:, a soft, aerial harmony that the cour-
= tiers could scarcely believe it mortal
| BY degrees she varied the theme and
ere long, with voice and lutte burst
forth in a grand old legendary ballad
: filled with the sound of and
| the c1angor of battle.
: The funeral chamber, resounded
with he stirring strains. The King
s raised his head and gazed around
0 Then he sat up and his eyes began
q to kindle. Then he leaDed from the
t bed and called for sword and buckler
y tine triumph of Jacinta was com
d plete. At once the windows were
s thrown open, the light of day streamed
IN ana the courtiers tore off their
badges OF mourning. All eyes sought
the fair minstrel. The silver lutte had
fallen from her hand and she was in
e me arms OF Ruyz de Alarcon, 1t was
his naughty father who had prevented
him from keenin~ his pledge to come
!, again to the Alhannbra-the heart Of
ne page mad been true all the while,
tut now that the Queen took Jacinta
unaef her special protection and
flcnes and honOrS We're shOWered upon
the Rose of the AIhambra. the proud
oid man-after examining Jacinta's
pedlsree and finding it So tisfactorv-
objected no longer. And ever F'rede-
Pohoa' tfroush the Gift Of a lucrative
post at court, was ~concii to her
l niece becoming the bride of one Of the
Opposite sex.
MKT WFEk'S ONE-PAGE CIf\S-