Milford chronicle., 1889-08-02
PHANTOMS OF FLEURY.

It was toward the end Of August when
paid my first visit to the old Chateau d.
Fleury.
Ny road, a mere cart track, lay across tn
plain, between the golden stubble fields tina
till few days before had been covered will
ripe corn. II was not often that l walkeC
away from the great forest that stretche,
darby over the gently swelling hills benin,
me, but it was late in the afternoon, tn,
shadows already gathered thiclly beneath Ia
shade, and l turned involuntarily toward tn,
sun My walk was solitary. The only PeO
pie met were one or two lAborers, men anC
women, returning from their work. who sa
luted me as they passed with bon soir
m'sieu."
Tho scene was very peaceful; the air wa
warm and soft, the sinking sun cast his ray
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 it, beauty there
was also that sadness which viii come when
summer s giving place TO autumn. Tbs
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
70 answer the voices that call him elsewhere,
turning last tender, loving farewell look
upon tho land he has so blessed with his pres
ence.
And with this sadness upon me passed
through tho old gateway and stood In the
great quadrangle. The grass had grown
long and the paths were covered with weeds,
but IL was not quite deserted, for at the we'll
an old man in blue apron was drawing
water. He raised his bucket and, with slow
and labortous steps, turned and passed through
a little "9stern gate, the water splashing over
as he went The inclosure In which I stood
was formed on three sides by outhOuses and
stables; on the fourth facing me, by the
dwelling house, forming second court and
separated from the largo one by a moat
crossed by dTawbrldge 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
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 Rayety,
and wondered II such times would ever come
again.
Presently reused myself, and turning to
the left / went round 10 the other side of the
house. The moRt surrounded it only on three
sides; the back, or rather the real front,
faced large lake In a far stretching green
park. There was terrace on this side Of the
building, too, the steps leading into a beauti-
ful 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 Law
darby on rs surface; the wild luxuriance Of
the vegetation pointed, no doubt, 10 the feet
that the place was very damp, but on this
August evening it hooked warm and sweet
enough.
Presently the sun flung last hsiRht smile
to the tall, stately trees, and touched The
WeatheTcOcks on the old turrets with gold
The Gky became tinged with delicate pale
green and rose color, the reelection Of the
sunset / could not see. For a few minutes
the old place was full Of soft light, and then
the radiance slowly died away and the tvi.
Light came on apace.
Still could not bring myself to leave the
spot / had sunk down upon q 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. Myste-
riOus shadows lay upon the grass on the Cd
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 ski1, ilt for any Of those dainty DANES
Of the Olden time, Of whom l 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 theheavens and was peeping through
the trees TO the east. A slight breeze sprang
up and rustled their leaves softly. They
whispered and bent to one another, aud the
air was full Of their sound. In the center Of
the lake a fish leapt, breaking the water into
a thousand sparkling ripples that eddied to
my feet
At Last I rose and turned to go, when I be-
came aware Of a startling change In the ap-
pearance Of the house It was no longer
dark and deserted. The shutters we're 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
Akhb 1oufeu A5fth from each, Inlngung with
the moonlight. Sounds Of music doated out
to me; not the jingling, rapid airs Of our
modern dances, hut slow and stately meas
ures that brought with them visions Of pow
der and patches, Tapiers and lace ruiies.
Amazed, I 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, |
evidently going the whole length Of the |
building. The floor was highly polished and |
the light Of hundreds Of wax cam
dies that hung In clusters against silver soon
ces on the oalr walls At one end was mu. |
aicians' gallery, whence came the sounds |
had heard. The front Of It was fastooned |
with flowers, and flowers were twined round |
the frames Of the family portraits on the |
walls. There were many portraits, OF all Do |
RODS Knights In armor, danes In high /
peaked head dresses, grave statesmen In |
turred gowns, children playing with dogs |
and demuTe maidens In rufHs and farthln- |
gales But my attention soon strayed from |
he pictures TO the figures passing and re-
passing before me. Il was evidently a great /
Personal.