Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-20

beech tops. yellow corn stood in aisles on
a slope above the peaceful village where
little orange dots suggested homesteads
the tree-shadowed lawns and linn. dream
| the silvery light. Arthur Brandon's
thoughts into involuntary rhyme;
he had never been so happy In his life, yet
he wished the never before coveted burden
OF riches were his; still more, he wished
Rosalind Ormond poor. Sir Wilfred and
some other vandals were spelling the dewy
flower scents with cigars. Sir Wilfred Won
dering II he could possibly put up with the
promised week at Gerald Dover's seaside
cottage and continual meetings with the
Carlen people. after this unlucky fasco.
And to crown ALL" he reflected, II must
needs try to kiss the wrong girl. How like
my luck!''
But even Carr was far happier than he
deserved to be-the dust and stones in
commoding him in the afternoon now
strewed the carpet Of his dressing room
he had sort of vague idea that the best
thing would be to sit on the terrace for
ever and ever and watch the tiny shin
sailing far and far away on The moonlit
sea, and the proud castle in the mystic
light dreaming of its vanished glories. and
the village nesting in the foliage by the
church tower at the foot of the castled
steep.
But Brandon the briefiess. the imne-
cunious. the blessed, saw more; he saw a
shadowy company Of plumed knights ride
with far-off clang over the drawbridge, saw
the moon rays glittering on the steel
breastplates Of men-at-arms: saw barrers
futtering lightly as the gray moths on the
terrace, fair ladies leaning from the battle
ments Nay, fairer ladies than any of old
moved in white shining raiment among the
flower scents on the terrace: their voices
had the hushed charm impaired by open
air and stiffness; their eyes were softer
than silvery summer stars in the pale
moonlit sky. Minstrels of old dared pay
homage Of song to lovely chatelaines--but
now! a minstrel in an ugly black dress
suit and hideous breastplate of amorphous
white linen! But this modern cha, elaine
her pearls half muff1ed in silken scarf,
happened to turn just then and meet the
full gaze of the silent minstrers eve, so
that for one brief and beautiful moment
two young hearts leapt together In bliss
old castles and old codes. and even creeds
stand and lie in ruins; but youth and Joy,
love, innocence and song are the same
throughout all ages.
himself waiting with q beating heart in
the library of Carlen house, whittier he
had been summoned by its young mistress
for a private conference. What could she
want with him?" he asked himself, as he
stood by the open window and looked at
the lowered gateway, Swallowed now with
morning light behind IT., and the cornfields
and sea, robbed now Of their moonlight
plain woman" quickly entered, and. after
grave hut genial salutation, plunged at
| once into the topic In hand.
''Sir Wilfred.' she said. gently, IT am
told that your affairs are greatly embar-
| rassed; pray do not think me obtrusive in
asking If such is the case"
Such, he mournfully replied certainly
was the case it was too kind Of Miss Or
monde to be interested in the matter. but
he was about to appear in the Gazette.
well, now" Miss Ormonde continued.
with genuine. delightful, old-fashioned
blush and an agreeable hesitation in her
speech. cit would give me-ahl-very great
pleasure to be able-and to be permitted
| to help you-to some slight extent-to nav
off-that is to say-to avoid liquidation"
Sir Wilfred turred pale; he was stand
ing: he placed both hands on the ton of a
chair to steady himself.
"Good Lord! She's going to proposev' he
| thought, land I shall have to have her. -
He said something unintelligible, but as
she was not listening. and he had not the
least notion Of what he was saying, it was
| OF no consequence.
bushes and a husky voice, would twelve
| thousand pounds be Of any use to your
Wouldn't it," he exclaimed, catching
his breath and becoming straight as a
lance in second.
Then, please--please," in very sup
per, take it,
He was silent, with quivering lips and