LADY BIANCA'S CHOICE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8154, 2 June 1906, Page 7

LADY BIANCA'S CHOICE.

"News, good sirs," said Gaspardo Bellini, entering bis school one morning. "The Lady Bianca hath at last made up her mind to marry, and hath promised her hand in marriage to the student of Bologna who shall paint the two best pioturoS from subjects of his owu ohoosiug. There was a deathlike stillness in the studio when Bellini finished speaking.

Stephano, the servant of all work, with his largo dark eyes ablaze, crouched in a corner. "Alberto." whispered Q useppe to his friend, "your fortune is made, and Bianca is won." "Our lady grant so," Baid the young man, pressing Giuseppe's band. "My uoble Bianca hath run a great risk for the sake of her poor Alberto."

"Think you the young duke will enter the lists with us?" "I fear bo," returned Alberto. "He is the only one in Bologna 1 dread; for report says that the masters at Venice and Rome were highly pleased with his work."

Before the sun went down that day, each student in the school of Gaspardo Bellini had chosen his two subjects, aud made some preparation for his work. Giuseppe's subjects weie "St. Cecelia" and a "Street Scene in Bologna." Alberto's were the "Lady Bianca at Vesper's" and "St. Michael, the Archangel." Two years was the given time, and the Lady Bianca, during that period secluded hersplf in a oohvent. Stephano waited on his young masters as faithfully as ever; but they now treated him a little more kindly, for ther« were two crimson spots in the youth's cheeks, and a bright light in his eye, which warned the giddy students that Stephano 'e place would soon have to be filled by another. "If gain the Lady Bianca's hand Stephano, I will have a requiem chanted lor you in ,the cathedral, and masses celebrated for the reDose of your soul." Stephano simled sadly. "And what will you do for me, Alberto?" "I will bring the Lady Bianca to your grave, and tell her that the gentle Stephano, whom I loved as a brother, is quietly resting there. I will show her the picture I have drawn of yon, and teaoh her to love your memory." Tears gathered in Stephano's eyes, and n deeper flush dyed his cheeks. The day on which the Lady Bianca was to redeem her promise dawned bright and lovely. Alberto walked toward the cathedral leaning on Giusseppe'B arm. On the gates of the cathedral a paper was pasted which contained the names of the successful paintings. The two friends pushed their way to the gates. "I am blind, Giuseppe. I cannot see," said Alberto. "Tell me their names." "'David and Nathan,' and 'The Sermon on the Mount,' " said Uiusoppe hoarsely. "Theso are the duke's," gasped Alberto, suffering his friena to lead him away. "1 have lost my Bianca; but come, Giuseppe," he added, "we will to i the cathedral, and there witness cay noble lady's sacrifice for me." The two friends entered the cathedral, and took seats in the gloomy transcept. "See, see, Alberto! ther§ are the paintings!" exclaimed Giuseppe, in raptures. On tho opposite wall facing the young men, with the rich light of the eastern chancel windows falling directly on them, were the two paintings. One repesented Nathan as he denounced David with the words, "Thou art the man!" The prophet's bent figure, tattered clothes, and aged face with its mingled look of scorn and Dity, presented a strange contrast to the youthful monarch's rich, graceful robes, and handsome face, from which the expression of indignation had not wholly passed away. The other painting, called "The Sermon on the Mount," represented a wioman ministering to the wants of a beggar. Thu face of the woman Alberto recognised at once. It had been drawn from a portrait of the Lady Bianca. Presently there was the flourish of trumpets, and the organ swelled joyously as the Lady Bianca moved slowly up the aisle. She looked up at the panitings, and a blush came into her face; then she knelt devoutly for a few seconds, the music died away, and there was profound silence in the vast cathedral. The Count Paulo, her uncle, turned and fared the congregation. "Alberto iiomani will take bis place by the Lady Bianca's side, as u reward for his genius." The count's voice rang through the cathedral. "Wake up, wake up, Alberto!" exclaimed Giuseppe; "you are the bridegroom—the count says you are. St Michael must have painted those pictures for you, and sent the angels to place them in the church." , Ho almost dragged Alberto forward, and before the young man had recovered himself, the bishop had commenced the ueremony. Alberto Knelt by the side of the blushing Bianca, and received 'the bishop's blessing. As they rose from their knees a shrill voice at the end of the oburch called out: "Let me go, J say, and denounce the perfidy of Alberto Romani, for those paintings are not his!" Alberto recognized the voioe of bis master, Gaspardo Bellini. Lady Bianca drew close to her husband's side. "What means the old man, my Alberto? They cannot now separate what Heaven has made one." Old Gaspardo at length succeeded in reaching the count. He threw himself on his knees at the nobleman's feet. "Pardon, my lord count—pardon Alberto; the paintings are not his, but were drawn by my servant, the boy Stephano." The count put bis hand to his sword, when the bishop stepped from the altar. "Return your sword to its sheath, my son; the house of God is no place for Bucb weapons. Send for Stephano, fond bear the whole of the story; for good Master Bellini is too much .excited to tell his tale clearly." ' "Here I am, my lord bishop!" and a slight, girlish figure, in a pea-

eaut's drcsSi stepped forward and knelt at the churchman's feet. "I Stephano, and it was 1 who gave Alberto's name to my paintings. I loved him and 1 knew that he and the Lady Bianca'n loved each other." "Why did you substitute his name for your own" asked tbo bishop. "Because," and the girl's voice trembl'd, "1 know my paintings would win the prize, for I did them beoause I loved my art." "JRosina!" exd.iimud Alberto, coming to the girl's side, "were you Stephano, the drudge of our school?" "I was, Alberto, l followed you from our own valley, because I loved you; and I have been near, and worked for you, all the years you have been in Bologna. But let me kiss the dear Lady Bianca, for I love her, too. When lam gone, Albret, you will do what yon promised in the studio." Bianca raised the kneeling girl, and kissed her toudorly. { i "You will live lor our sakes, Rosina?" The girl smiled faintly. "Yes. for.a little „while ;iong°r," she said. ***** ""if* Once again the old cathedral was crowded; but the bolls no longer rang joyfully—they swung slowly and mournfully in their muffled covering. The great organ sadly and reluctantly gave the harmony for uhe requiem chanted by the black-robed choir, 'i:' * The paintings ofV: "Nathan" and "The Sermon on the Mount" still adorned tha dark* walls, but they were partly hidden by the folds of crape which draped them. Amid the sobs of the congregation, a small coffliu was carried by the students of Bellini's school, and deposited in the chancel. The pall wafl removed, and repealed on the uoffin in golden lettera'the name Stephano.