Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-09-03


around Madame Ada Okolicsnnyi, the
mistress of the house, discussing the
subject of reincarnation.
Madame Ada Okolicsanyi, the hand
soonest of them ALL lay nonchalantly
back in her easy chair. She was
dressed in beautiful soft white ma
terial and had large, dreamy, nut
brown eyes. In her dark hair some
nestled tlmidly.
'Well, who will tell us story to
convince us all:" asked Countess Rol.
Ia, holding her tiny ncz.retrousse still
higher in the air than was its wont.
II don't believe in rencarnation,"
said poet. 1T is impossible that one
should ever-not even once during Il
ifetime-remembcr OWL pre-exis-
tence-that far awu~ ,a-st."
"Why Iot:' ventured the fasmon.
able critic. IF one knew to what end
)ne was born again. life would ceas Sc
to be trial. There would be absolute
ly no sense in the second life, and it
would be nearly impossible to fail"
There you are wro~-~ interrupted
the low, even voice Of Adam DorosZ-
lay. Till now he had remained silent
in his corner, and only listened to the
various opinions of the company. You
are wrong" he repeated. Just the
fact that one remembers, that in ones
heart of hearts there always exists Il
longing for all that was sweet and de-
liciOus in ones former existence-just
that makes men miserable"
"What a curious idea" said one Of
the ladies.
Ada Okolicsanyi laughed hysterical-
ly.
Are you one of those who remem-
ber?" she asked sarca stically.
He looked at her; he gazed into the
fathomless depths of her dreamy eyes
and let his glance rest for moment
on the beauty of her rich chestnut
hair.
YES" he answered, after pay:srn
II had an experience which l Sh,ll
never forget" r.
I'll de raplomb" crieda,the ,itt,a
Countess, struggling her; shoulders
He sits in his " cCtner all the after
i ,MTs &c an old grumbling bear, and
now he rldicules us. But mind. Sir"
she added, turning to him with bright
smile, "if you wish to be forgiven for
your reprehensible conduct, it shall
only be on one condition; you must tell
us that interesting experience
Adam Doroszlay moved back into the
shadow somewhat frightened.
"This is pure cruelty" said he. hest.
tating. I've have heard so many
thrilling tales on this subject to-day
| that mine would surely prove fail
ure"
"Ah, you only want to get out of it.
But that won't do. We have suffered
enough before now because of your
| heartless cynicism; now it is our turn
| to make you suffer. Ada, dear" con-
tinued she, turning to the lady Of the
house. do make him tell us that
story!'
please begin it," said Ada, but her
voice sounded cold and hard.
"Must it be-" he asked play fully
"Well, be it so. then. Only, l warn
you, Countess Rolla, that my story will
be anything but interesting
He left the place where he had been
sitting, and leaned with his back
against the mantelpiece.
The flames threw small. Pickering
lights upon the foreign weapons hang.
ing about upon the walls; the netZkes
of ivory, the sumurai swords, the kris
from Malay and the Scotch claymores
that had been brought home by Ada s
| husband from his various travels
abroad.
"A thousand years ago." began Adam
Doroszlay, everything was different
from what it is nowadays. The roads
had not been superseded by the rail
ways; and the air was not dirty from
the breathing Of flying giants. Thus
1t happened that l. knight, found
myself one day sitting upon the back
of dark chestnut mare, at the en-
trance Of white marble castle. the
many towers of which reached above
the top Of the gigantic cryptomerias.
"The great portcullis was fastened
the drawbridge which had to be lei
down from the inside was drawn up
and the two marble lions near the gate
seemed to have been petrified just il
the act Of springing.
| THE people of those days very sci
dom went to pay each other visit
and I could give no other sign of my
arrival, so tuned my harp and begal
to play and sing. The notes of my
song went flying to the pointed tower.
like so many white doves; and as If by
some magic the iron gate rose and TIL,
sliding bridge of the entrance. studded
with silver nails. fell down before me.
II passed through three or four court
yards; in each of them fountain wa
throwing its silvery stream into thu
air; then | turned to the left and CAM
in view Of Il large staircase. re
leased the bride of my horse an,
raised the visor of ny helmet. An,
this was what I saw:
ION the floor in the centre of tn
large open hall beautiful queen wa
sitting amidst her ladies In waiting
She had dress of soft. pure, cling
ing material that looked dazzling whit
in the sunshine. and in her dark, silk
hair bunch of lilies OF the vale
was nesting.
Upon each side of the staircas
young cavaliers and knights thronget
Their dresses We're beset with spark
ling stones and mine was dusty fror
the long journey.
! 1.-TWO servants brought velve
cushion, and placed it at the feet o
the queen. l kIelt down upon 1t an
gave her the message with which | la
been sent to her.
"She was very kind to me. She too
my hand in her tiny ones, and bad
me rise from my kneeling position
She had sweet, bewitcb!ng volc,