The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-08

no; but, nevertheless. as he gazed out at the
beautiful aristooFatic courtyard, over
which the moon spread sheet of blue light,
and at the noble old edifce, which had Just
away beneath their covering of snow, he
began thinking of the other world.
What if the Nesmonds should return?'
murmured he.
At that moment the bell rang violently.
The gate was thrown open SO quickly, so
suddenly, that the lamp was extinguished.
and for several minutes, in the shadow OF
whispering and of vestments rubbing
against each other. People disputed, and
hastened to enter. There were Wallets, plenty
| of valets coaches with glass windows re-
hecting the moonbeams, and sedan chairs
balanced between two torches, which tiared
in the draught at the gate. In no time the
court yard was jammed. But at the foot of
| the steps the confusion ceased. People de-
scended from the vehicles, saluted each
| other, and went in chatting as if they knew
| the house. Upon the steps silks rnstled and
swords clattered. Nothing but white head
but small, shrlll voices, some without mel
| ody, and light footsteps. All the people
seemed to be old, very old.
There were dull eyes, dim jewels, and
ancient brocaded silks shot with changing
| hues which the light of the torches caused to
shine with soft luster, and above all float
| ed tiny cloud of powder. which mounted
| from the curled head-dresses at each court
ly bow. a trifle pompous because of the
| swords and great panlers. Soon the whole
house had the air of being haunted. The
torches shone from window to window,
mounting and descending the winding stair
ways, until even the dormer windows of the
mansards had their sparks of fete and of
life. The entire Hotel of Nesmond was
illuminated, as if the setting sun had flood
"Great Jove! they'll burn the house
down." cried M. Majesty. And, recovering
from his stupor, strove to shake the heayi-
| ness out of his legs and descend quickly to
the court yard, where the servants had just
kindled rousing fire. M. Majesty APP
preached and demonstrated with them. The
servants made no reply and continued to
talk in low tones among themselves without
the least vapor escaping from their lips in
the icy gloom of the night. M. Majesty
WAS uneasy. but one thing treasured him,
and that was that this great fire, which
singular fire-a fame devoid of heat, which
sparkled but did not burn. His fears hav-
ing been tranquilized, the good man de.
seconded the steps and entered his ware
rooms.
These warerooms, which were on the
ground floor, must formerly have been mag
nificent reception salons. Particles eff tar
nished gold yet glittered at all the angles
NEUROLOGICAL paintings adorned the ceiling
surrounded the mirrors, and hoated owe
the doors in vague colors. somewhat soilel
like souvenirs of departed years. Unfortu
| nately there were neither curtains nor fur
niture. Nothing but baskets, great boxe
filled with siphons. with pewter heads, ant
the dried branches of an old lilac busl
which still hung in inky blackness behint
the windows. NJ. Majesty, on entering
found his warerooms full of light and com
pany. He bowed politely, but nobody pal,
their satin cloaks, on the arms of their cav
alters, continued their ceremonial atfecta
tions. They promenaded. chatted and sep
i arated. Truly all the old marquises SCENE,
i to be perfectly at home. A little tigur
paused, all in a tremble, in front of paint
/ ed WALL That's me exactly! Look at m
!, portraitr' and she 0azed smiliEgly upon
Diana on panel, slender and pink, with
. crescent on her forehead.
"Nesmond, do come here and look a
) your arms.' And everybody laughed a
: they saw the arms of the Nesmonds stampe
| upon some bagging, with the name O
: Majesty underneath.
!, ..Ah, ha! Majesty! They still have ma.
esties. then in France!' And there wei
: endless cayeties. little ffe-like bursts c
: laughter. uplifted fingers and affecte
e speeches.
/ Suddenly some one called ont: Here
+ champagne: Here's champagne
+ No. it isn't..'
|. Yes. it is-it's champagne! Com
: Countess. let's have bumper
e II was NJ. Ma'esty's seltzer water tbs
a had mistaken for champagne. They TOM
Il II tribe dat. but they drank 1t all Il
!, same, aud. as these poor ghosts were U,