The Duke's Prize A Story of Art and Heart in Florence

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ducal palace, admiring the matchless pictures now first exhibited to the public vi

pronounced to surpass all its competitors, and great was the curiosity expressed as to who was the author.-Some said that Michael Angelo himself must have arisen from the tomb to produce so perfect a picture.

y." How different was the expression of her face from the majority of those about her. No pride or envy could be traced on that beautiful brow, stamped

the prize; he had kept his own secret, and she expressed her unfeigned admiration of the picture by "The Unknown." She was the belle of the hour, if not of the court, and her commen

and all presented for the prize. He observed that had one of the pieces which had been sent in failed to have been received, he should have found it absolutely impossible to designnate the best painting from out the collection, each one of which was so excellent and perfect in itself. He then remarked that he was unable to award the prize he

themselves. "And," added the duke, "if there is any one in this assembly who can inform us as to the authorship of the piece in question, we most earnestly hope

ed by his well-chosen remarks, and his subject being one to call forth all his admiration, he was unusually eloquent. Indeed, his remarks were so in unison with the appreciation of all who

together in one corner of the gorgeous apartment, and upon whom all eyes were turned. But they also stared at one another, wondering who could be the man. Many of them had been liberal enough to express a feeling of delight and

present who can inform us as to the authorship of this masterly effort

ment, and Carlton, the young American, was seen making his way to the front o

push forwa

but a moment,

woul

ak to t

n't you see h

a moment," w

ists, and addressing the monarch in Italian, which he spoke like a native, "I a

re resting upon him at that moment. The countenances of his former companions evinced no emotions of resentment, as one might have expected who understood their former feelings toward the

nance, which told but too plainly the tale of hunger and want he had suffered. And so it was, as the reader

his seat, and one was carried by the attendants from the apartment fainting. It was the duke's, ward, the Signora Florinda. The surprise and d

ected the Signora Flor

late companions. "She seemed regarding this you

ngu

your hi

and return and let

excel

ll join h

, excel

sioned by the appearance of Carlton, and the confusion consequent upon the

rica

excel

the work of

, exce

ooking first upon the painting and then at Carlton, as if ha

onor me," said Carlton, with a r

e, it is well merited

ed to thy satisfa

red in part his burning cheeks, while he thus stood before

the duke, "shall we have of the

u will find a peculiarity of expression, a want of finish in the

rfect a picture as this before us. But what of the flaw, signor?-the discovery of that which any one of thy profe

e, it shall agree in strength of touch, style, tone of finish, and every particular, with the rest of the piece. And, moreover, you shall be enabled t

said the now deepl

retiring for a moment, returned with his p

ne sais quoi that had been referred to as being requisite to its proper finish. It was done with such judgment and skill, that the addition, though fresh, could not be detected u

vass for a moment, and then

dy, what a likeness! Sir artist,

xcellenza

n. None other than its author could have acc

court about him; and pointing to the canvass, and the touc

eed," was t

o, satisfied

ar

oug

Republic of the West, and on his extraordinary genius-as he was pleased to express himself-he awarded him the rich prize prepared for t

as it regards the high price you have set upon my humble effort, I can only say, that I had designed it from the first as a present for your excell

all share the Tribune with our best pictu

the departments of the grand gallery of Florence. The hanging of a picture in this place was of itself alone the highest compliment the author could receive

t follower he had ever deemed himself. No wonder his heart beat now so quickly, and he breathed so fast; the goal of his ambition was before him, and almost within his grasp. It seemed only necessary for him to reach out his hand

account for this willingness to part with that which has cost thee labor of months, and in which thou hast been so eminently s

u design for it such honor, I could wish its free accep

d for his picture, exceeding in amount his wildest expectations o

of contention between them. They were ushered into the presence of the pope by a high official, and to this usher had Carlton given the features of the duke's chamberlain. It was a superb d

g time to comprehend and appreciate all its many excellences. It was finished, and the work of half a year, pursued with the utmost assiduity in secret, had proved successful. All his pains

fame, but struggles on, dependent upon its own slow but sure preferment. This is self-evi