The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-07-06

host.
AS we rode up the broad drive leading to
| the house-as its name indicated, it occupied
spot where, in former years, solitary
recluse had had his dwelling-it was diff
cult to fancy that the place had been unln-
habited for all of 20 years, in such perfect
order was everything, while the ivy which
clung SO lovingly to the gray stone walls and
gables lent picturesqueness to the place a
modern architect might sigh in vain for.
La Marquise and Madame de Villeneuye,
who had preceded us in the "vietoria,"
stood awaiting our arrival in the great,
square hall. By the high, open chimney
place, where a bright fire was burning, stood
Margaret and Saint Armand, and l remem-
ber thinking then how very badly the latter
was looking, though, of course, it was but
natural he should be somewhat affected on
coming for the first time to the spot where
his uncle had met his violent death.
The rest of the party, with Eugene de
Flavelles-at whose acceptance of Saint Ar
mand's invitation had been more than sur
prised-soon joined US, and as there was
plentifully-spread table in the dining-room
beyond, and our ride had wonderfully sharp
ened our appetites, we had soon gathered
about the board and were doing ample just
tice to the delicious viands which the old
housekeeper had placed before us. But de-
spite the glowing fires which were cracking
on the hearths, and the many delicacies
upon which we were RECALLING ourselves,
there was chill in the air of that long de-
serted house which made us hurry rather
silently through the breakfast and rejoice
when we were once again in the open air.
Though he seemed to consider the whole
proceeding great bore, Saint Armand could
not well refuse when his intendant begged
him to overlook the work that was in prog
ress; and as Margaret and he followed the
man back into the house again, and l
saw la Marquise and Madame de Villeneuve
in earnest conversation with the old house
keeper, and Mr. de Trevor sauntering about
the close-cut lawn with young French girl
who formed one of our party, while the
other gentlemen were busy with their
cigarets, I decided that that was the mo-
ment to put into execution plan which /
had been all the morning secretly meditat-
ing.
A moment later, rejoicing in what /
thought a very skilfully-executed retreat,
was about setting off on an inspection tour
of my own when Eugene de Fiavelles stood
suddenly before me, and though l should
greatly have preferred my own company, l
could not, save by an exhibition Of positive
incivility, decline his.
"I am going down that avenue" said,
in no very gracious tone; you may come,
if you wish"
For all answer he tossed his cigaret aside,
and for quite a distance we walked along
without either of US saying word. Then,
quite abruptly, he stopped, and striking his
cane on the ground, said:
This is the spot It was here he was
murdered!"
Now, although this was exactly what /
had wished to see, l could not repress
slight start or conceal the thrill of terror
that crept over me, more at the tone in
which the words were uttered than at the
words themselves. Seeing which he laughed,
harsh, grating laugh, and added, scorn-
fully:
"What nerves! As though that old story
could affect you in any way! If it were
your cousin, now, l should think such
thing more natural. Why, l thought you
had come here on purpose to see whether the
murderer had left mon0gramed handker-
chief, or something of that sort. 1t is such
very short time since the deed was done;
little thing of that kind might well have
been overlooked, you know"
$50 l did! At least-ah, bah!" l said,
nervously; "Of course, it is all nonsense
How cold it is here. l am going back to the
house"
stop a minute" !" and did not dare move
as he laid his hand detainingly on my arm,
so intensely cruel was the light that shone
in those pale eyes of his; "let us have this
matter out. Why do you take such interest
in this thing? Have you any suspicious
Is there anyone you think -
No, mol" 1 interrupted, my teeth actu-
ally chattering from fear. "Why do you
say such things? OF course 1 suspect no
one"
",Then," said he, bending forward till his
mouth nearly touched my ear, am fur
ther advanced than you, for dot"
And dropping my arm roughly, he turned
and hurried toward the house, leaving me
impressed by sense of impending calamity
which not even the seyerest efforts of my
ordinarily practical mind could entirely
overcome.
So agitated indeed was I by Flavelles's
strange manner, that crept back to the house
almost as though / had been myself guilty
OF some crime, and going in by side-en-
trance found myself in a snug and comforta-
BILE little room, separated from the hand
somely-iurnished drawing-room by heavy
curtains only.
In the distance / could hear the voices of
different members of our party who were
| apparently doing" the house, and devoutly
trusting that none might be tempted to visit
this cosy spot, curled myself up in one
| corner of a great divan and set seriously to
work to compose my frightfulIy-
nerves.
All, well! Youth is youth, and I suppose
| / must have fallen asleep there for
certainly did not hear them enter the room,
and only became aware of the fact that Mar
garet and Philippe were present by hearing
the latter say in a tone quite new to him /:
But really, darling, have we not done
enough for to-day? The gardens can wait;
we shall have plenty of time to see them
later. / assure you the long ride in the sun
has quite upset me-"
They were standing in the deep window
recess, and as he took his place on the broad,
low settee and drew her down beside him,
she laid one cool, ungloved hand upon his
brow, uttering as she did so some half