Year: 1860

"Ihen be sure that it is in q good light
Place it as / have directed


"And | think you will gain all you could
ask, added the priest as he looked again
upon the picture, which was barely distin-
guishable in the light Of the lamp


The painter again shook his head in pain
ful mood, but he did not speak He drew
strong curtain securely over the painting, and
then he gave il up to the two men whom he
had hired to help him.


NOW where is this marvellous painting p
cried Innocent X, as he stood in the Museum
gallery of the Vatican, and gazed upon pic
ture which stood before him. II was the
Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Alexandria
which had afforded the painter subject, and
he had handled his theme with a magic pen
Gil. The fearful death-struggle of the Alex
andrian bishop was laid upon the canvass with
almost life, and even the dying groan seemed
issuing from the convulsed lips


Where is hep cried the pope, "for by our
holy mother he has done us pleasure, here. +"


An usher led forward Luigi Marino. The
painter fell upon his knees before the pope,
and when he arose, he looked paler than be-
fore, but there was no trembling, save a slight
quivering of the neither lip


"Didst thou paint this p asked the pope.
looking first upon the picture, and then upon
the pale YOUTH who stood before him.


"Yes, holy father" returned Luigi


"Then, by the mass, thou hast done most
nobly We award thee the palm ofexcelIenee,
and thy picture must not leave our palace.
Our purse shall be opened wide for thine ef
fort Name thy price,


The painter saw that the pope was in good
hufnor-that his admiration was excited-and
he spoke boldly.


81 do not ask for money he said, 81 have
painted this for noble recompense Long,
weary months have ] spent over that canvass.
have toiled without ceasing-but twas not
for money | have beguiled some moments
in trifiing pictures which have broughtme the
means for sustaining life and this work held
above the dross of earth"


"Well, speak on, said the Pope as he look
ed curiously into the face of the painter.
Your words have strong beginning. We
want the picture, so thou hadst better not set
thy price too high. Come tell to us thy wish
e"


"Holy father" commenced the young pain
ter in low, earnest tone, "many years ago |
was poor boy in great distress. Ny father
was killed by a sweeping torrent from the Ap.
PENNIES, while was in his arms His corpse
shielded me, and was found by noble, gen
erous man, who took me to his home. That
man owed me nothing, and yet he became my
protector He reared me in early life, and
taught me the path of virtue. All that am,
all that have that is good on earth, owe to
that man. He is now in trbulation and in
danger and would save him. o, Ihope my
gratitude may reach him.


'Who is the man p
John de Castro"


A dark shadow fitted across the aged fea-
lures of the pope.


'Do you know" he said, looking sternIy
upon the painter ''that by such a request you
endanger your own lifeY


Eyes, holy father, know it full well. But
what is gratitude worth if it would stop at such
dangerY'


"And so you would have us barter away
our solemn DEGREES for thy painting, Upon
my soul thou must have a wonderful bold
ness" U


"No, no, holy father, you mistake me. This
painting is but type of my gratitude ]
give it TO thee as pledge of my devotion to
one who has been my friend when all else
was dark. Hook to thy forgiveness for my
suit. ! came to appeal to thy mercy. This
work Of my hands is but an introduction OF
my prayers, and to thine apostolic clemency
make that prayer Take my picture, listen to
my prayer, and give life and liberty to de
Castro


The Popes countenance was softened He
looked again upon the picture, and then once
more he turned his gaze upon the painter


at is a wonderful picture" he said, "and
thou art a wonderful child You shall heal
from us agar"


The Pope waved his hand as he spoke-hii
attendants gathered about him, and he soor
left the spot


"Now, good Master Marino" cried old Maud
Fastening into the painters room, 'bestr thy
self, for there's a messenger from the Pope
waiting to see thee Dost think the holy "a
ther means thee good or evilY'


a know not" uttered Luigi, trembling witt
conflicting emotions


aThe Lord grant that they be good2" ejacu
lated the woman as Luigi turned from the
room.


The painter mentally responded to the
prayer, but did not speak aloud At the dool
he found the messenger, but he would answer
no questions He only bade the painter fol
low him


Luigi put on his cloak and cap, and with q
strangely beating heart he stepped out into tn,
street For some time he followed his guide
and at length they stopped at the door Of (
dwelling on the Corso.


Now, sir painter, rap at this door, and avail
the result, said the messenger "and in the
meantime put this paper away to lookat wher
convenient


Luigi took the paper, and in the next mo
ment be was alone. He raped at the door
IL was opened by a stranger, and he was badC
TO enter He was conducted into richly fur
nished apartment where he was met by one
who extended trembling hand for him Il
grasp


"Luigi--my saviour"


The painter looked up, and he knew thai
the man whose hand he grasped, was John d,
Castro The poor nobleman was sadly chang
ed but his countenance was not 10 be mista
ken


"My noble, generous preseryer," cried the
count, while the tears trickled down his pal
lid cheeks, tell me howl shall bless thee foI
this" -.f.l r.rrrr sr.f q


Marno could not speak He felt a warn
hand upon his neck, and he heard another
voice pronounce his name. He turned anC
saw the angelic features Of Irene.


"Luigi,' she murmured, "you have made
heaven for poor Irene
| Luigi Marine was all bewilderment He has