The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-29

GUS sizes, all in bindings that would have
brought JOY to the heart Of connolseur or
rare and exquisite art. The walls above the
bookcases were hung with stamped leather,
enriched with a delicate design i'll gold, the
tone of the whole being grateful to the eye,
but not too dark. Standing UPON the book
cases. in an apparently careless way, were
framed engravings and etchings-proofs be
fore lettering-many of the latter signed
with the names of the artists, and having
on their margins fancitul little designs,
dashed off i'll Idle moments during the pro
gresS of the main work. Dispersed around
the room-on brackets, on tables, in cor
ners-was a unique collection of bronzes,
ancient and modern; bronze figures and
groups, bronze vases, bronze lamps, bronze
Baskets and Notwithstanding IN
bronze that was beautiful or quaint III form,
mastery in workmanship, an. not larger
than befitted the size OF the room. The am
pie fireplace, broader than it was high, had
a superb bronze mantelpece, designed by
Japanese artist, the supports being two
grotesque but solemn figures, half man and
half monster, the secret of whose creation
is known to the japanese alone. Upon the
tiled hearth fumed two or three great logs
of cedar, the fragrance of whose burning
pervaded the atmosphere. The floor was
made of polished oak, with rugs of rich dull
hues spread upon it here and there. The
room was lighted from a great globe OF
cream-colored glass that descended from the
ceiling like some immense lustrouS fruit
hanging on a long graceful stem. This light
was very soft in quality, yet was powerful
enough to render the finest print easily
legible in the farthest corner of the
room.
But it would be impossible to paint an adj
equate picture of this library, which Is
known to many New Workers as beyond
comparison the finest owned by a. private
individual i'll the city. Both the books and
brOnzes were the rarest and most finished
specimens of their kind ohtainable, and the
engravings and etchings were similarly
unique. Nothing in the room could have
been exactly duplicated. 1t was the whim
of the owner to render his library and its
contents Incompatible, and he had the
means and resources to carry out his Whlm
When the visitor entered the room, it was
empty. The fire of cedar logs was blazing
brightly on the hearth, whose polished sur
face reflected Its light; easy chairs and sofas
extended to him silent and luxurious invi-
tation; the rich and subdued hues of the
books suggested solace to the mind; the or
namentS and decorations charmed the eye;
everything combined to produce an impress
sion of splendor softened into comfort. The
room was no museum to be marveled at,
but retreat to be lived in--the home and
haunt of a man in whose brain it had orig
mated, and who knew how to use and APP
preciate it. 1t was organic and vital, not
formal and lifeless. 1t gave evidence OF the
rich and cultivated intellect of which it was
the material expression.
The visitor advanced to the fireplace, and
stood there, drawing off his gloves, and ex-
amIning the curious workmanship of a
bronze work that rested on the mantelpiece,
when the sound of a step on the polished
floor made him tnrn, and he saw the master
of the house advancing to meet him.
"Glad to see you, Inspector BvTneS"
tHow do you do, Mr.. Ovens"
Mr.. Owens was evidently doing tolerablY
well. He was at this period "a man of about
- years of age, with handsome, intellec-
tual countenance, clean-Shaven mouth and
chin, light brown hair. thinning out on his
high temples, and figure and bearing that
indicated clean living and high breeding.
CORTLAND Owens was the descendant Of sew
eral generatiOnSof American gentlemen; he
and his forefatherS had been brought up TO
wealth, and had taught themselves how to
make a graceful and fitting use of it. But,
with the instinct OF ali genuine Americans,
none Of them had been idle men. They had
followed, some one avocation, some an
olher; they had been merchants, statesmen,
diplOmatistS, bankers, directors of great in
duStlial enterprises, all the higher offices of
citizenship had been filled by them with
credit and capacity. As for the present in
heritOr of the name, he was first of all, by
training and temperament a student and a
connoisseur; but he had also entered into ac-
tive life of his day, and had been for nearly
ten years past the partner and personal
friend Of one of the greatest financlers of
the epoch. Never were two men more unlike
than the two members of this famous firm
in every external appearance and charac-
teristic; and yet the bond between them
was much closer and more cordial than eX-
i5t between many men far more as one in
general sympathies. They liked and re-
spected each other as human beings, with
out reference to anything else.
II have something | need your advice
upon, Inspector" Mr. Owens remarked
Take off your overcoat and sit down. |
shan't let you go in five minutes, nor per-
haps in half as many hours. So you might
as we'll make yourself at home"