Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-09-10
ROLAND'S WIFE.

IOOlLhND - w III II.
1t was soorohingly hot In Carminster
one July afternoon. The streets were
empty. Even the cathedral rocks were
doing, and the only signs of life
seemed to be the chatter dimly heard
through the door of the quaint old inn.
In the great cathedral 1t was less sun
ny, but almost equally close and op-
pressive.
Roland de 10 Fanu felt as If the heat
and dust of centuries were somehow
shut into that vast nave and as IL his
torical associations weighed on his tired
brain.
He was one Of party being 'shown
round"' the building. Here was the in
evitable would be aroheologist, now
positive, anon doubtful Of his dates,
two or three olergymen, a schoolmaster
and his class and few young girls.
In the Crypt 1t was cooler, but damp
and musty smelling. Through the heavy
oak door passed the weary, but garrulous
verger, his chattering flock at his heels
Then began more tiresome discussions
anent slypes and squints.
"This 'ere," said the verger, raising
his not too musical voice to drown the
talking Of the others ere was
once the private chapel of the De le
Fanus. That stone marks where the al
tar stood. Over here Is where Sir Gil
bert Arohesmont defied the abbot In the
year thirteen 'undred and fifty. Notice
this ere dog tooth molding-most per-
feet example Of its kind in England. I"
There 10 finer at Canterbury"
growled some one.
Pardon me, you must mean Lincoln
or is 1t York that am thinking Off"
said the Archaeological.
The descendant Of the De 10 Fanus
turned aside to his sister. She smiled
and put her arm through his.
II am 80 tired" she whispered
"Never mind, dear. We've nearly
done, and we could not have left with
out seeing our old family tombs, so"-
"The lie Fanu tombs," broke In the
painting verger. "They date back to
1910 This is the Oldest of them all.
Notice the rich work round the sides.
and, as you see, the figure Is missing
from the top. II IL the wife Of old Sir
Roland dc le Fanu, who died In the
oily Land. His wife died of grief three
days after the sad news reached her
The effigy is said to have been stolen,
though some there are who say that life
was given to IL and 1t walked. l don't
old with that myself. On this side are
tho tn,nhn ~ Dau;naIJ aud Ga IQa,,Ia 40
10 Fanu.
Roland spoke to the girl next him.
THE efiigy," said he, "that IL miss
ing from that tomb IL the one OF all
others that should most have liked to
see, She was our great, great really
cannot say how great--grandmother,
and, oh, beg your pardon. l thought
you were my sister"
1t was tall, slight girl, wrapped In
light grayish dust cloak. to whom no
had spoken. and who now responded
ment in her manner.
The sudden transition from the dark
crypt to the brilliant sunshine was be-
wildering. Roland and his sister STUN
bled along to the monastery ruins, and
then, seated on heap Of fallen stone
work, they rested. He was disapppoint-
ed on looking round for his oloaked d.
vinity to find that she had not followed
them.
In Carminster quiet night succeeds
the peaceful day. Roland, sitting by
his window, watched the round moon
rising behind the fretted spire of the
cathedral and was filled with sudden
longing.
His stay In the place had been brief
and would end early OH the morrow.
The sketches he had made were few,
and his visits to the cathedral had al
ways been paid In company with others,
in the Improving" society of the dean
or in that of the unsympathetio verger.
What II he were to steal out now, when
the garish day was done and tho moon
high In the clear skyf
Yes, he would, he must CO. The
temptation was not to be resisted. He
would study tracery and carving under
the magic light which made their beau
ties seem as something unesrthly. He
rose and left the room, treading softly
80 an not to disturb the other inmates
Of the house. Quietly as he went the
dean, sitting at work in tho study,
heard him and opened his door.
Anything amiss, Rolandl" he asked
cheerfully.
Roland, half ashamed, confessed his
romantic ideas to his host, who sur
prised him by sympathizing with them.
"By all means. Our lovely cathedral
never looks more exquisite than by
moonlight.
II should like" said Roland, taking
courage, ito have one more look ut the
tombs and chapel of my ancestors be-
fore leave. "
Certainly. certainly. You are di-
rect descendans Of Joan de la Fanu. ass
you notr
Eyes. And don't thank the yandals
who stole her efiiey. l should have pre-
ferred that they had taken any Of the
others.
Have you copied her epitaph yet, on
sketohed the tombf'
mo, have had no good opportunity,
but 1 should unoommonly hke TO do 70
before go, and shall not have time
tomorrow.
He spoke wistfully, and tho dean