Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-05-05

was of a faint and subdued nstnre
1t took the form of a sweet, solemn
suverly tinkdDg, Is of q fairy chime
fading with minor cadences into the
distance. One coul almost feel how
rarely a like sound disturbed the hush
and repose of the dwelling. Almost
directly heard a shutting step ap-
preaching from within, the door was
softiy and with grave ceremony. thrown
open, and an old man of slight stature
and feeble frame stood before me. the
light OF bronze hanging lantern above
the entrance Illuminating with startl-
ing disdnctness his singularly white
race and silverly struggling locks. In
MS hand he held tiny old-fashioned
saver, and 1t was apparent that his
custom was to receive upon Ii the
cards, without admitting the persons,
OF such stray visitors as should seek
TO invade the retirement in which his
mistress dwelt, for, scarce waiting for
my question as 20 whether she would
receive me, he held 1t forth, and, stil
barring my entrance with his small
person, said: Mrs. Eldredge desires
to be excused"
"Will you tell her." I returned. de-
posting my card In the small receipt
acle, that l am come in response to
her advertisement, and say that as l
nave come from distance 1 hope she
VIII see me, unless the position, be al
ready filed"
My explanation caused him to take
q dinerent view OF my intrusion, for
now the door was thrown Hospitality
open, and, as / obeyed his request 70
enter, found myself in a delightfully."-
quaint old hall, with high raftered
ceiling, and far reaches Of impenetra-
bic gloom which bespoke spacious
depths and offered a wide field for the
imagination.
With ancient ceremony the aged but
Ter threw open the door of a small re-
ception room, standing aside for me to
pass In, but, fascinated by the romantic
aspect OF the wide hall, and invited to
Hnger In its shadows by the CHEEKY
blaze OF n huge hickory log that burnt
In the cavernous fireplace, 1 smiling,y
negatiyed his suggestion, and begged
TO be allowed to wait where was.
BE was absent but n few moments.
scarcely had / become penetrated by
the welcome warmth of the fire than
he reappeared and desired me to fol-
low him. He led the way up n broad
and winding staircase, whose ascent
was broken by two or three broad
landings, each a small room In itself.
and thence across n large upper hail
fitted as picture gallery, the vast d.
mansions OF which were broken by
magnihcent1y carved balustrade.
brought, as 1 afterwards learnt, from
one or the Doria palaces, which en-
closed a great well that reached from
entrance-hall to roof, where an enor-
nous skylight OF stained-glass shed
a modified glow upon the space be-
meath.
Daylight having quite faded, silver
sconces suspended against the walls
gave partial and fitful illumination 20
the place, the candles Sinking their
actual duty, however, to coouet among
the brighter surroundings of the gilded
frames that lined the mighty stretches
OF wall. Rugs innumerable covered
the polished oaken floor, and. had IL
been possible for the noiseless foot
steps or my companion TO become less
audible, should have thought that he
took heed to so stifie 1t as our progress
increased. We paused at last before
closed door, upon which he tapped
so reverently that I was reminded of
priest approaching n holy shrine.
A iow-toned. exquisitely modulated
voice gave us permission to enter. The
old servant opened the door, announced
me, and Immediately withdrew, leav-
Ing me In the presence of a woman.
the charm of whose personality. the
magnificence of whose matured beauty.
rendered me wholly oblivious of her
environment.
What was the emotion that seized
upon me as my eyes fell upon Madam?
Was 1t reverence, awe, timidly, alright
at my own audacity in Offering myself
as companion to such as she2 Was It
the spell exercised upon inferior ma
lures by extraordinary strength of
character united to almost perfect
physical form? Was IL fear? Was IL
alarm? Or was twas 1t not, rather
the birth-agony of love unique in its
nature, passionate in it's intensity, soul
ennobling in its development, which.
though have known warm family az.
lection, though l have felt strong at.
tachment to two or three close friends.
though have since become the proud
and happy wife of a man who holds
my very soul in his keeping, has stood
apart and aloof, on a pinnacle of its
own, elevated and sanctified beyond all
| the other emotions of my life?
| The most positive memory I retain
| OF tnat nrSC meeting Is the Impression
! produced upon my mind by Madam.
| So profound was that impression that
in seeking to recall her likeness now.
since her visible presence has passed
from before my eyes, invariably pict-
ure her as 1 then saw her, notwIth-
standing the fact that In after-days I
formed a so much better acquaintance
with her features and expression.
My mind, barking back into the past,
I conjures up the grandeur OF solitary
figure, waiting. in patient, silent digni-
| ty, like noble statue, among the ruins
of shattered world. Sculptured as by
an artists hand directed by a poets
brain, the rare contour of her face
was classic in its mould, and superbly
intellectual in it's wondrous beauty.
Mind, soul and heart, the trinity OF
mans personality, shone through the
lovely mask that disclosed rather than
concealed her spiritual being.
She was sitting. as l entered in obedi-
ence to her bidding, in n high backed
chair Of carved ebony, with her feet
arched like those of a Spanish prime
1 ess resting on n little footstOol About