Year: 1878

but that his art was the one grand link
that bound him and them together.


And what more did Fernandez impart?
He told her, too, that the moment he saw
her he felt that she was to be the connecting
one between him and happiness.


"And yet how-oh, how can take you
from theliving, speaking music of the world,
and bind you to a speechless silence that
ever surrounds me?'


Her trembling fingers telegraphed to his
mind that she sought no higher destiny.
1t was enough for the affectionate girl that
he loved her. She would give worlds that
his lips could speak: but her love could
never be lessened because they were silent


How to break the tidings to her parents
was now the great object of her solicitude; /;
and on this very night she had promised
Fernandez that is should be told them. He
came at the twilight held brief interview
with her, and then left her to tell what he
felt it impossible for him to make them COM
prehend.


When Don Albert and his wife returned,
they heard all from the lips of the trembling
girl. Tenderly as they loved er,they could
not give her up to fate like this. They
entreated her not to give him any hope;
their decision now could never be reversed
Maraquita yielded to their tears what she
could not have done to their commands; bnt
the storm in her soul was no less severe
Her parting with Fernandez the next day
was terrible scene. The sight of his dumb
and powerless anguish was more affecting
than the most impassioned speech. The
only consolation which he could receive was
the solemn assurance of her continued af-
fection.


They parted-Maraquita to go to her lone
ly room, which no persuasion could induce
her to leave, and Fernandez to the country
villa where his mother lived in quiet gran
duer for it was not poverty that induced
her son to paint, but to fill the time hang
ing so wearily upon person with his pri-
vation.


All the comfort which the mother could
impart to his mute agony was given, but
the wound was deep and lasting. He had
no time, however, to give to grief, for he was
summoned to Madrid, by Philip H., and
appointed painter to the King, with PEN
sion of 200 ducats. Here the "The Shepherds
Announcing the Birth of Our Savior" and
his representation of them was so very ex-
quisite that every one exclaimed, "What
beautiful shepherds" This exclamation
afterward became the name ofthis painting,
it being everywhere known as "The Beauti-
full Shepherds"


Still Maruquita mourned, in almost utter
loneliness, the loss of her lover. Still did
Donna Catalina cherish bitterness toward
her whom she could not acquit of coquetry
toward her innocent and unfortunate son.
Every one concerned in the affair was un-
happy, Don Albert and his wife were
miserable, for, although Maraquita made no
complaint, her pale thin face was perpet-
ual reproach; and her refusal to go into COM
pany distressed and annoyed them.


Maraquita had heard of the appointment,
but she heard also that Fernandez had
again left Madrid; she did not know why
but one evening courier brought her
note from Donna Catalina, couched partly
in bitter and partly in humble terms, in
forming her that her son, "whom her cruelty
had nearly destroyed" was lying danger
ously i'll, and that she must come and look
upon the wreck she had made. 1t closed
with frantic entreaty for her to come i'm
mediately. She showed it to her father, and
he could not resist the pleading look which
she gave him. A few moments later they
were on the road with pair of horses that
seemed almost to fly.


The mute appeal of that sorrow-stricken
face that lay upon the pillow almost un-
manned Don Albert. He marked the agony
of his daughter and the proud, stately grief
Of Fernandez's beautiful mother, and he
asked himself if he could bestow aught upon
either from his wealth that could compen-
safe for the anguish of thishour. Cne word
from him would bring joy back to all.
Should he speak it? Could he give up his
cherished hope of seeing Maraquita the wife
of one of the proud Spanish grandees, and
allow her to marry painter? Yet every
thing here betokened wealth and the utmost
efnement-almost, indeed, to fastidious-
ness.


He did speak that word. His daughter
uttered a glad shrek. Donna Catalina
pressed his hand to her heart and wept hap
py tears, and the mute sufferer himself was
not slow to comprehend the general happi-
ness. They were soon united, never more
to be separated until death,


No cloud ever came over that perfect and
enduring love. The noble Spanish wife de-
voted her time, her talents, and her affec-
tions, wholly to him she loved, and almost
ceased to regret that she could not hear the
voice when the eyes were SO eloquent.


Still did his mothers beautiful and noble
face look out from his canvas, but Mara
quitas, never. 1t was in his heart too deep
L.. D., bri,f, ~ 10 tho fro 10 Of tba ,rorlI Tfa