Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-09-24

II
brilliancy and softness, black as ink,
but with dangerous topaz lights in them
that bade you hesitate before lightly
arousing the mans anger,
He was not very tall, but extremely
supple. and, naturally dark, his skin was
turned to color unusual in this climate,
while in his every look and movement
spoke the flawless health and virility
that perhaps had much to say to the liv-
ing force that seemed to dwell in him
like flame in flint.
Hagar smiled as he stood aside for
her to pass, then resumed his doggcd
watch on the stairs, while she strolled
down the long gallery, so feet long by
80 wide, from whose walls the embassa-
dors, the admirals, the marsh;.ls, the
judges and prelates, all the fine flower
of Mamie S courtly race, looked down ON
this interlorer who had all the air Of
being born to her present surroundings,
as with the slight scornfUlncss of car
riage that went SO we'll with her rare
type of beauty she glanced from one to
another of the great silent company on
the walls, at the hcirlOoms in the place
they had occupied for scores Of years,
that would be there long after Mamie
and she were dust.
There were pictures by old masters at
the opposite end Of the gallery worth
kings ransom, and Hagar had come to
know them all by heart, for she loved
pictures, loved the warmth and richness
that they furnish to mans dwelling
places, as no statuaIy, worries, gold and
silyersmith's work or rare old china ever
can, and that are second only to the
glory and loveliness of flowers, or that
panorama of nature which man is often
only too content to enjoy through the
prison punes behind which he lives
Presently she turned into what was
called the ambassadors suit, standing
still in u room that was IL glowing har-
mony of rose color, to look down tho
long aisle of antechambcrs and drawing
rooms through their open doors, and
presently moved down them, pausing to
touch the delicate green and white OF
some brocade hanSings as though she
loved them, and sat down at last on one
of the white mojre chairs upon which
the raised flowers bloomed fresh as when
painted hundred years ago by the cun-
ming French artjficcrs who had been
brought over in their hundreds by that
great ambassador and accomplished fine
gentleman, whose income was prince
" one and who spent it all and more in
making Straubenzee lordly pleasure
house and entertaining all that was
brightest and most exquisite III the
world within it.
And now, alas, the house that had
cost gigantic fortune to build and
make beautiful in purely French style,
upon which he had lavished his match
less skill and taste, was almost all that
remained of the great mans magnlfi-
cence, though his gold plato still adorn-
ed the table, emblazoned with the royal
arms, and his picture in court robes
hung in the place Of honor in the seal
ing wax red dining room.
His income of 9S0,000 a year had
dwindled sadly in the hands of his suc-
cessors, so bedrooms or so had been
pulled down, but nothing could spoil
the lookout over the deer park where
antlered heads glanced in the bracken,
and by the grace and fleetness of their
movements gave that touch Of living
picturesqueness to the scene that made
the completeness Of it's charm.
Hagar was looking ont from one Of
the windows of the drawing room-that
mystical room which seemed always
made ready against the gay court Of
Watteau's lords and ladies who never
came, when Blake Trelawny's hand,
laid ungently on her arm, startled her.
"She won't come down." he said
harshly "She must have known was
waiting and has slipped off by one OF
the other staircases. Can't you find
her?' He shook her arm to emphasize
his words. "And when you have found
her don't leave U.S. can always manage
her better when you are there" he
added ungraciously. whether it's das
Damonische or what, directly your
backs turned my influence wanes.
You'll have to sit down somewhere out