St. Paul daily globe., 1889-03-16
The PHANTOMS OF FLEURY

My road, a mere cart track, lay across
the plain, between the golden Stubble
fields that till few days before had
been covered with ripe-corn. 1t was not
often that | walked away from the great
forest that stretched darkly over the
gently swelling hills behind me, but 1t
was late in the afternoon, the shadows
already gathered thickly beneath It's
shade, and [ turned in voluntarily
toward the sun. My walk was solitary.
The only people L met were one or
two laborers, men and women. returning
from their work, who saluted 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 au-
tumn. The earth is at rest. She has
brought her wealth of fruit and flowers
to perfection, and is taking a 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 last tender,
loving farewell look upon the land he
has so blessed with his presence.
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
nl II it,ra 1Nl Il
water. He raised his bucket and, with
slow and laborious steps, turned and
passed through little postum gate. the
water Splashing over as he went. The
incloSure in which stood was formed
on three sides by outhouses and stables;
on the fourth, facing me, by the dwelling
house, formed second court and sep
arated from the large one by moat,
crossed by q draw-bridge. This inner
court was brilliant with flowers. vast
Ing their sweetness sadly, for there was
no one now to open the shuttered win
dows and come down the terrace steps
TO wonder at their beauty. And |
stood under the great lines by the we'll
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 turn
ing 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-Stretchlng green park. There
was terrace on this side of the build
ing, too, the steps leading into beauti-
full rose garden. The roses were falling
now, but the evening air was laden
with their scent, and here and there
was still perfect flower. The shadows
were lengthening over the water: two
OF three little islands lay darkly 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 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. Fora few minutes the Old place
was full Of soft light, and then the rad-
ance slowly died away and the twilight
came on apace.
Still L could not bring myself to leave
the spot. Ihad sunk down upon moss
covered stone among the roses, and was
gazing out over the lake. Vague,
dreamy thoughts came floating through
my brain, and | sat Oh unconscious of
the passing time.
Suddenly | became aware that the
light on the picture before me was
changing. Mysterious shadows lay
upon the grass on the opposite shore of
the lake. The islands were floating in
a silvery mist. An old boat moored
close to me seemed to shine like fairy
skiff, fit for any of those dainty danes
OF the olden time, OF whom | had been
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, be-
hold, the great golden moon had
climbed the heavens and was peeping
through the trees to the east. A slight
breeze spraDg 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 leaped, breaking the
water into thousand sparkling ripples
that eddied to my feet.
At last | rose and turned to go, when
l became aware of a startling change in
the appearance of the house. 1t was no
longer dark and deserted. The shut
ters were thrown open. Lights shown
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 a
stream of light poured forth from each.
mingling with the moonlight. Sounds
of music floated out to me: not the jing-
ling, rapid airs of our modern dances,
but slow and stately measures that
brought with them visions of powder
or fol
Amazed, | watched for little time, and
then, curiosity getting the better of me,
L 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 floor was highly
polished, and reflected hundreds of
wax candles that hung in clusters
against silver sconces on the oak walls.
AT one end was musicians gallery,
whence came the rounds / had heard.
The front of it was festooned with
flowers, and flowers were twined round
the frames of tine family portraits on
the walls. There were many portraits,
of all periods. Knights in armor. danes
in high-peaked head-dresses, grave
statesmen in furred gowns. children
playing with dogs, and demure maid
ems in ruffs and farthingales. But my
attention soon strayed from the pictures
to the figures passing and repassing be-
fore me. 1t was evidently great and
important gathering. The host APP
peared to be tall, portIy man, his
powdered hair tied with black ribbon,
voiiet satin embroidered coat, and
fine lace ruffies at throat and wrist. He
leant on gold-headed cane and tapped
snuff box as he talked. There were
crowds of courtly men talking to ele-
CANT women, whose eyes glanced all
the brighter for their powder and
rouge. AT one end two couples were
gliding through mlnuet with many a
hnyy and cyyopnincr c0urfocv AcT rr..e,-