Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-09-20
CHAPTER III.
ruh s71RITuAb REvELRY.

CHAPTER ILL
rub s7tRITuAL REvELRY.
The haunted house was deluged IN |
flood of golden light Melodious muse
swelled and sank and echoed among lCS |,
halls and chambers as II all harmonious
and pleasing sounds were assemo'ed
tho~e. wrest ing in CcStasies or un,e
strained delight. In the dining nal a
princely banquet was laid ready Tor inc
NIGHTS refreshment Fair maids anu
railant cavaliers, gente matrons anu
noble older galants, lent the charm Oh
their bright smiles and delightful pres
snco tn every nook, and In the great
north room svlphike figures and FAIRY
forms gided through the dreamy now
ments of Quaint old Spanish REEFS Vi
ga loped with pretty grace ana nappys
attitude through the lively changes VI
more gay and modern fandaneo' inueo'
It was a night of rev elry and JOY
The motherly lady who had peC Us oii
the threshold ushered us into sh'd
reception-room and left us In the pres
ence of the host, an aged gentleman WIN
silyery locks and stately mi ltary Tear
ING. who was sitting in largo oak arm
chair speak ng in bland pleasant man
nor. to n group of friends gathereu
tntnd. Upon our entering he arose ana
Welcomed us warmly. Burton. alter
shaking hands with several present,
nassed into another apartment ana
loft me a'one with the strangers
wboreupon the host turned to nc
md suavely said: "SeuOr, after your
nioht's ride you must feel, TO certain
ovfent. the inroads Of hunger. Ine
cloth is laid and ready for the feast. :"
Then stepping to the door OF lhe norm
room he beckoned TO some one wlthlh
and was Immediately joined by queen
lv voung lady Of prepossesslng beauty
and charming manner whom he present.
cd to nc as as h S daughter, the Senorita
Noptinni. who was doing the ho1ors OF
the house as hostess. He gave me tne
nleasant information that as was tne
| only stranger among the guestS' Ihe
honor of leading the senorita In 10 sup
ner tell to me. Noticing that tne pre-
yailing tendency of the guests, oy thiS
time was toward the dining hall' anu
feeling the fair senorita's hand already
on my arm, l gave her my attention ano
fell in line on the general march TOWARD
the table. which, when arrived at, pre-
sented most gratifying abundance
The viands and delcacicS of the meal
had O remarkable significance. None o.
tho cdibles were of the kind or quallty
common to earth. A mild fragrance
welled from every dish, and the palatari' II
nronert es of every sample were the resui
Of culinary art different from any tina
I was acquainted with or had ever hear'
or road of Flowers o unknown varle
ties and unprecedented loveliness poure'
ont their dainty perfume uPon the air
decorated the room, the table, adorne
the ladies' corsageS aud bloomed upo
the lapels of the gcnt'cmen's coatS
Laughter, gay conversation ana gentee
enthusiasm went round the Ooaro an
the whole company was in gay .sp!rlIS
THE feast the feasting, and the IeaSter
vero a dream of aliment radiance an
, pleasure -,
Supper over, the company again r'
raired to the north room and the dahC
inc and the music were resumed
II fell to me to lead out in the alto
l sumner reel wi h the fair MontiDnl, ot
we had only cot well TO dancing wnen
Z discovered that was honored with al
other partner altogether. ms senorl'
was lust as beautiful as the Mohtlhn
She noticed my surprise anu sal'
oSenor must dance with us all, so d
; pal lers must change often" ohe il
) tro.uced herself as daughter OF Sen'
El Muza, wao had been partner VIII
D Montinni She was a fascinating col
1ersationalis', but OF q mySterio'
strain. mostly, and alluded several tim
Z in vague way to mission In come
tion with the vii and its m site peop
/ which she said Fate had appointed I
- :, to work out.
y A dozen mes within the next hol
~ and a half were my partners renewed
d new ones Each was as beautiful as u
o rest and as charming and as pleasan
D. They all bade me welcome to the nous
a and alluded to the same mysterious Ill
y sion spoken of by the Scnorita I'll Muz
>, The mystcry of the mission perpleX
~ me not little, but the infatuatlhg re
erv of the dance, and the wIld swe
SO music that accompanied it, dld not ST
j. for me to think seriously on the matte
le co on we whirled beneath the radla
lr lights. guidel by the wild notes OF I
or harm tho guitar and the violonceilo
e. tha company fading and reabDearl
!, | like nCODIC III a. ulCRh 10 ny D.
ro through the quaint figures OF fandang'
walt es and reefs
a. Two hours after supper my last pa
c, nor said to me: "The dance is done
10 ~ must bid on good-ni hit" l led mr.
"a the door of the ladies room, where i
Il Il her. and upon turning around mot 0
u gray haired host, who greeted me
y said: "You will see no more OF us
ID, tomorrow night; make yourself p
"a fectly easy and at home
ny With these words he 81 ded our, a
~ upon his disappearance the mu
nc stopped, the reve'ry ceased, the lig
~. went out, the company faded from VIC
"Y and, speechesS with amazement
M found myself alone in the haun
&c house, in the chill air and gray dawn
ID. morning, wondering if 1 was asleep
re- awake, in my light senses or STARK II
GTO BE CONTINUED.
,to Biggest Game Ever Killed with h''io
'at John R. Davis, whose reputation