The silver lance., 1897-08-20

hall sad weighed upon them. in which
there mingled an Impression of soli-
tude.
This, moreover. together with the
sranseness Of the scene and the un-
accustomed hour. filled them with .
vague melancholy not without its
charm and drew their thoughts in
tently toward the sun, which they
were soon to contemplate and which
as an oracle was about to reveal to
them their fate.
The beeches and oaks gradually gavs
way to the pines with their reddish
cones. The purple heath was strewn
with -resinous needles. The path.
winding among scattered bowlders, led
up the hill at the base of the tower.
yet invisible. Suddenly above q rise
OF the ground 1t appeared rearing it,
gray crest high in the heavens. There
1t stood In the midst of the ruins, COW
cred with moss. stained and Scared
with age, the last feudal remnant OF
the Chateau d'Aiaspret
Miss Edel. somewhat out of breath
by the exercise of climbing. was re-
garding the purpling light of the east
ern sky. dotted with pink. fieecy clouds.
will we be in timer" she asked.
M. d'Herble thoughtfully shook his
head.
1t is very cloudy" he sighed. Il fear
the sun will be veiled."
"Ah!" she rnurmured, whether In
hope or regret he knew not.
A hare started and crossed the dewy
path in front OF them. Tiger, eager
for sport, gave 1t the chase. This d.
version amused Miss Edel. few
steps now brought them to the base of
the tower. They stood moment hes
itating in front of the dark archway
which led to the winding stairway.
The young girl looked at her escort
with half mocking smile.
DO you really mean to ascend? 1t
seems to me we might get as good q
view from here
He cast look of reproach upon her
which penetrated and softened her.
You are afraid. Miss Edel?"
These words struck her pride, and
to prove to him that she was afraid OF
nothing. neither of him nor herself,
nor even OF the problematc future
which the rising of the sun was to
prophesy for them, she resolutely took
the lead through the dark stairway.
DHerble respectfully followed. For
some time they could only feel their
way. while exchanging trivial
speeches; then. all at once, the great
light Of the bright dawn dazzled them:
they had reached the platform, and
Miss Edel could not restrain a cry Of
admiration. An immense circle Of
oA
them. Through a space in the valley
they could see the ocean stretching out
from this frame like a triangular mir
ror Of steel. The country resembled
patched carpet of many colors; those
yellow spots here and there showed
the golden wheat, those gray squares
were villages; the silvered point of
church steeples could be DISTINGUISHED
shining against this background. The
river unrolled itself like a white rib
bon edged with green. gray vapor
was floating over the whole scenery,
as IL the country lay under a foggy
sea. A glowing red which deepened
every moment suffused the sky and
the clouds looked like masses OF live
Goals, until the horizon seemed one
gigantic brazier. Silence added to the
mystery and to the impression OF poesy
which arose with the dawn over the
earth. Miss Edel and M. dHerble
we're thinking. How many millions OF
days such as this one this same sun
had risen to light; how many springs
and winters had succeeded each other
over the birth, death. loves, Joys and
pains of human beings, and yet the
xrts snI a. <xE h<,
newed and ever young! They thought
of their own lives, their youth, the
fate which had brought them together
and which they no more called fate but
destiny. A mutual presentiment Of
their happiness filled them at the sams
moment with painful expectancy; they
would have hastened the appearance
OF the king they awaited, for at that
supreme moment. although they dared
not admit it, they felt a superstitious
dread Of those clouds which might
stand in the way Of their sun.
"Ah!|" escaped from both the
young people. 1t was a sigh Of relief
and happiness.
The glorious orb had just rent the
clouds and they were scattering in all
directions as IL some mighty hand were
sweeping the horizon, leaving the
whole heavens calm and serene.
"EGelv' gasped M. d'Herble.
He saw her resplendent under the
binding light. Her proud beauty over
ce me by a tender grace; tears shone In
her eyes.
"Seew she said. "the sky is clear"
Not a cloud remained; the sun was
slowly ascending and gradually the sea
of fog which a moment before partially
concealed the country vanished.