Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-21
PHANTOMS OF FLEURY.

paid my first visit to the old Chateau dc
Fleury.
My road, mere cart track, lay across the
plain, between the golden stubble fields that
till a few days before had been covered with
ripe corn. 1t was not often that l walked
away from the great forest that stretched
darby 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-
pie met were one or two laborers, men and
women, returning from their work, who sa-
luted me as they passed with BON soir,
m'sieu."
The scene was very peaceful; the air was
warm and soft, the sinking sun cast his rays
gently 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 breathing space before beginning her
winter struggles. Summer is still with her,
but he hovers with outstretched wings, ready
to answer the voices that call him elsewhere,
turning a last tender, loving farewell look
upon the land he has SO blessed with his pres
ence
And with this sadness upon me l passed
through the old gateway and stood in the
great quadrangle. The grass had grown
long and the paths were covered with weeds,
but 1t 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 iaborious steps, turned and passed through
little postern gate, the water splashing over
as he went. The Enclosure in which | stood
was formed on three sides by outhouses and
stables; on the fourth, facing me, by the
dwelling house, forming a second court and
separated from the large one by a moat
crossed by drawbridge. This inner court
was brilliant with flowers, wasting their
sweetness sadly, for there was no one now to
open the shattered windows and come down
the terrace steps to wonder at their beauty
And l 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 a far stretching green
park There was a terrace on this side of the
building, too, the steps leading into a beauti
FIJI 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 lengthening over
the water, two or three little islands lay
darby on its surface; the wild luxuriance of
the vegetation pointed, no doubt, to the fact
that the place was very damp, but on this
August evening it looked warm and sweet
enough.
Presently the sun flung last bright smile
t. 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 a few minute.
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
bAiOUSn anu I StU on IN
conscious Of the passing time.
Suddenly became aware that the light on
the picture before me was changing. 'Myste.
rious shadows lay upon the grass on the op-
posite shore Of the lake. The islands were
floating In q silvery mist An old boat
moorod close to me seemed to shine Ike
fairy skiff, fit for any of those dainty danes
of the olden time. of whom had been dream.
ing, to take their pleasure in. Clearer and
clearer became the light, more fairy like and
bright the scene, and when my own shadow
grew 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 a fish leapt, breaking the water into
thousand sparkling ripples that eddied te
my feet.
AT last rose and turned to go, when be
came aware of a startling change in the ap
pearance 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 foor the door windows were
wide open on to the terrace, and a stream Of
hight poured forth from each, ningling with
the moonlight Sounds of music foated OUT
TO me; not the jingling, rapid airs Of our
modern dances, but slow and stately meas
ures that brought with them visions Of DOW
der and patches, rapiers and lace ruffies
Amazed, l watched for 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,
evidently going the whole length Of the
building. The foor was highly polished and
reflected the light of hundreds Of wax can-
dies that hung IN clusters against silver Soon
ccs on the oak walls At one end was mu-
sicisns' gallery, whence came the sounds
had heard The front Of 1t was festooned
with flowers, aud flowers were twined round
the frames Of the family portraits on the
walls There were many Portraits, OF all De
RODS Knights In armor, dsrnes in high
peaked head dresses, grave statesmen in
furred gowns, children playing with dogs
and derure maidens in rufrs and fa-thin-
gales But M attention soon strayed from
the pictures 70 the figures passtag and re-
passing before me. 1t was evidently 4 rr,a,
Ind important gathering. The host ap-
peared 10 be a tall, portly man. bis
powdered hair tied with black ribbon,
, violet satin embroidered coat and
6ne lece ruffles at throat and wrist lie
cant on gold headed cane and tapped q
'nuf box as he talked There were crowds
Of courtly men talking TO elegant women,
whose eyes glanced al the brighter for their
powder and rouge. At one end two couples
we're gliding through a miuuet. with nsny