The record-union., 1897-06-28

simply itinerant bicyclists lost in the
blindness of the storm on the stretch
ing moor. AS we wondered who this
gentleman could be who displayed SO
bizarre a taste in furnishing and dress
or his lackey in this forsaken spot,
adding this new alteration to many
previous ones in my observation of the
eccentricity possible in eccentric mill
lionaires. Surprise was doubled by the
mans quick retort: 'Ah, gentlemen,
no mistake has been made, 1 assure
you!''
And although he looked at us slyly,
yet his manner seemed to reflect mas
ter's cordiality thought of all 1 had
heard of strange personages who kept
their doors open for chance guests
Perhaps a glass had revealed us strug-
Cling on the moor along the path end
ing in this unexpected welcome. And,
mistake or no mistake, our condition,
and WEAKNESS and hunger, made us ac-
cept, after our proper disclaimer had
been disallowed. We asked but to go
back for our wheels, when the man
said he would care for them, and that
his master ought not to be kept wait
ing longer. The master would excuse
our appearance if we would join him
at once; and we, now inclined to see
the adventure to its end, followed with
some amazement that the burning log
seemed to give out no warmth.
We were ushered into a great dining
hall, where a table was elaborately
spread with quaint and strange dishes
all, it seemed, of the day of Henri
Quatre; and it was a gentleman of that
period, nicely attired in silken hose,
who bowed urbanely and motioned us
to the board, where places for two
showed that we alone We're expected.
Yet for moment we paused, oblivious
of manners, at the hosts face, thin,
narrow, clever, cunning, high bred,
with strange-looking black eyes, and
the voice had that same French which
had certain antique phrases that re-
minded me of an essay of the Sieur de
Montaign. For the Sieur de Bellaire
appeared to have that nice sense in
this masquerade which Mr.. Irving
brings to the setting of a play where
accuracy in every detail is to be sought
The mouth put into the expression of
this gentlemans face-with cruel lines
and eager white teeth now and again
showing--something belying the graces
of exquisite breeding Yet when he
spoke this feeling faded, and we took,
on his motion, our places
You have kept me waiting, gentle
men," said he with suavity, land yet
L think you will find the dinner not
so bad for a country house,
We again cried out that a mistake
had been made, when he smilingly said
that this was not SO, and that were it
not for the favor of the storm he should
have dined alone. The man who had
admitted us returned and became the
waiter gliding about serving US, and
pouring out from a dusty Hagon som>
heavy wine that sparkled with delicious
suggestiveness and sent through us a.
subtle fire that stole the chill away.
We began to talk with loosened tongues
while our host watched us as if anus
ed at our subjects-as if he, indeed
were a gentleman of the old time who
heard us as one might the redOubtable
Baron Munchausen; watched us with a
| sneer that was only half covert; and
yet, while listening, said absolutely
nothing of himself, and but shrugged
his shoulders when we exclaimed at the
exact taste which had made this per-
feet illusion of a long gone day. And
when we had done-remarking at the
| oddity Of the viands, as we'll as at their
appetizing qualities-he still said
naught of himself, leaving US wonder
| ing the more at the Sieur de Bellaire-
| that we never should have heard of
| him, and that any person-even with