San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-08-05
PHANTOMS OF FLEURY.

paid my first visit to the old Chateau de
Fleury.
NV road, a mere cara track, lay across the
plain. between the golden stubble fields that
till a few DAYS before had been covered with
ripe corn. It was not often that | walked
away from the great forest that stretched
darllv over the gently swelling hills behind
me, but it was late in the afternoon, the
shadows already gathered thickly beneath its
shade. and turned invOluntarily toward the
sun My walk was solitary. The only peO-
ole met were one or two laborers, men and
women, returning from their work, who sa
Iutrd M As they passed with Bon Solr.
m'>cu."
The scene was very peaceful; the air was
warm and soft, the sinking sun cast his rays
gculy over the earth. far away, from one of
the many villages dotted on the plain, came
the sound of the vesper bell, and the land
looked very fair. But with its beauty there
was also that sadness which will come when
summer is giving place to autumn. The
earth is at rest She has brought her wealth
of fruit and flowers to perfection, and is tax
ing a breathing space before beginning her
winter struggles. Summer is still with her,
but he hovers with outstretched wings, ready
answer Tic NOlItS JlIlJ Vail IA U
turning a last tender, loving farewell look
upon the land he has SO blessed with his pres
CnCe.
And with this sadness upon NE | passed
through the old gateway and stood in the
great quadrangle. The grass had grown
long and the paths were covered with weeds
but it was not quite deserted, for at the well
an old man in a blue apron was drawing
water. He raised his bucket and with slow
and lahOrious steps, turned and passed through
a little postern gate, the water splashing over
Us he went The inclosu-e in which | stood
was formed on three sides by outhouSes and
stables; on the fourth, facingame, by the
dwelling house, forming q second court and
separated from the large one by moat
crossed by a drawbridge This inner court
was brilliant with flowers, wasting their
sweetness sadly, for there was no one now to
open the suffered windows and come down
tie terrace steps to wonder at their beauty
And | stood under the great lines by the
well and thought of the days gone by, when
the chateau had been full of life and gayety,
and wondered if such times would ever come
again
Presently reused myself, and turning to
the left went round to the other side of the
house. The moat surrounded it only on three
sides; the back, or rather the real front,
faced large lake in far stretching green
park There was terrace on this side of the
building, too, the steps leading into a beauti
full rose garden. The roses were falling now,
but the evening air was laden with their
scent, and here and there was still a perfect
flower The shadows were lengtLeuing over
the water; two or three little islands lay
darkly on its surface; the wild luXurHnce of
the vegetation pointed, no doubt, to the fact
that the place was very damp, bat on this
August evening it looked warm and sweet
enough.
Presently the sun flung last bright smile
to the tall. stately trees, and touched the
weathercocks on the old turrets with gold
The sky became tinged with delicate pale
green and rose color, the reflection of the
sunset | could not see. For few minutes
the old place was full of soft light, and then
the radiance slowly died away and the twi
light came on apace.
Still | could not bring myself to leave the
spot | had sunk down upon a moss covered
stone among the roses, and was gazing out
over the lake. Vague, dreamy thoughts came
floating through my brain, and sat on un
conscious OF the passing time.
Suddenly became aware that the light on
the picture before me was changing Mystic
rious shadows lay upon the grass on the op
posite shore of the lake. The islands were
floating in a silvery mist. An old boat
moored close to me seemed to shine like a
fairy sklff, fit for any of those dainty danes
of the olden time, of whom had been dream
e, t,I., hi. ,,11 -,
clearer became the light, more fairy like and
bright the scene, and when my own shadow
grow out Of the ground at my feet turned
and, behold, the great golden moon had
climbed the heavens and was peeping through
the trees 20 the east. a slight breeze sprang
up and rustled their leaves softly. They
whispered and bent to one another, and the
air was full Of their sound. In the center of
the lake fish leapt, breaking the water into
thousand sparkling ripples that eddied to
my feet.
at last rose and turned to go, when be
came aware of a startling change in the ap-
pearancc Of the house. 1t was no longer
dark and deserted. The shutters were thrown
open. Lights shone from every easement.
and figures passed rapidly to and fro On
the ground floor the door windows were
wide open on to the terrace, and stream of
light poured forth from each, mingling with
the moonlight Sounds of music aoated out
to me. not the juggling, rapid air. of our
modern dances, but slow and stately meas
ures that brought with them visions of pow
der and patches, rapiers and lace rutfies
Amazed, | watched for a little time, and
then, curiosity getting the better of me, |
went up the steps and stood by the center
window. Presently | went in. No one
seemed to notice me, and looked on quietly
A long broad hall stretched before me-
I. - l. IL