Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-15

| touch upon his shoulder and found a young
page by his side
THE Lord Loring commands said the
boy. that you will follow me to the great
chamber, and await him there
But my comrades?"
His commands were for you alone
Alleyne followed the messenger to the east
end of the courtyard, where broad flight
of steps led up to the doorway of the main
hall, the outer wall of which is washed by
the waters of the Avon. As designed at
first, no dwelling had been allotted to the
lord of the castle and his family but the
dark and dismal basement story of the keep.
A more civilized or more efemfnate genera
ton, however, had refused to be pent up In
| such cellar, and the hall with its neigh
boring chambers had been added for their
accommodation. Up the broad steps Al
leyne went, still following his boyish guide
until at the folding oak doors the latter
paused. and ushered him into the main
nall of the castle.
On entering the room the clerk looked
around: but, seeing no one, he continued
TO stand. his cap in his hand. examining
with the greatest interest chamber
which was SO different to any to which ne
was accustomed. The days had gone by
when a nobleman's hall was but barn
like rush-strewn inclosure the common
lounge and eating room of every inmate 81
the castle The crusaders had brought
back with them experiences OF domestic
luxuries, of Damascus carpets and rugs
of Aleppo which made them impatient OF
the hideous baroness and want of privacy
which they found in their ancestral strong
holds. Still stronger. however. had been
the influence of the great French war; for,
however well matched the nations might
be in martial exercises, there could be 10
question but that our neighbors were IN
fnitely superior to in the arts of peace.
A stream of returning knights, of wounded
soldiers and of unransomed French noble
men had been for a quarter of century
continually pouring into England. ever!
One of whom exerted influence in The
while shiploads of French furniture from
Calais, Rouen and other plundered towns
had supplied our own artisans with models
on which to shape their work. Hence, in
most English castles, and in Castle Twyn-
ham among the rest, chambers were TO be
found which would seem to be not WahuhS
either in beauty or in comfort
In the great stone fireplace log hre "dS
squirting and cracking, throwing OUT
ruddy glare which, with the four bracket
lamps which stood at each corner or me
ROOM gave a bright and lghtsome air 10
the whole apartment Above was wreath
work of blaZonry, extending up 10 IN"
carved and cornice oaken roof: While Oh
ether side stood the high-canopied chairs
placed for the master of the house and Ior
his most honored guest The walls were
hung all round with most elaborate and
brightly ecolored tapestry. representing the
achievements of Sir Bevis OF Hampton
and behind this convenient screen Wett
stored the tables dormant and benchtS
which would be needed for banquet or nigh
festivity. The floor was of polished tiles,
with square of red and black diapered
Flemish carpet in the center; and many
settees cushions folding-chairs and carved
bancals Uttered all over It, At the further
end was long black buffet, or dresser,
thickly covered with gold cups silver sal
vers and other such valuableS. All this
Alleyne examined with curious eyes; bu1
most interesting of all to him was small
ebony table at his very side. on which. by
the side of the chessboard and the scat
rnd OH fhnrn law a aF1ay ma n
script written in right clerkly hand. and
set forth with brave iourlshes and devices
along the margins. In vain Alleyne he
thought him of where he and of those
laws OF good breeding and decerum which
should restrain him: those colored capitals
and black even lines drew his hand down
20 them. as the loadstone draws the needle,
until, almost before he knew II, he was
standing with the romance of Garin de
Montglane before his eyes so absorbed IN
Its contents as to be completely oblivious
both of where he was and why he ha,
come there.
He was brought back to himself. how
ever. by sudden little ripple of quick
Feminine laughter. Aghast he dropped the
manuscript among the chessmen and stared
ia bewflderment round the room. It was
as empty and still as ever Again he
stretched his hand out to the romance ane
again came that roguish burst of merrI-
ment de looked up at the ceiling back
at the closed door and round al the sim
folds of motionless tapestry On a sud
den, however. he caught a quick shinnme,
from the corner of a high-backed bancal
in front of him, and. shifting a naca y,
Two TO the side. saw white slender hand
Wnich held mirror of polished silver In
such way that the concealed observe,
could see without being seen. He $3.50
irresoiute, uncertain whether to aayauoa
or 70 take no notice: but. even as he hest
tated, the mirror was whipped IN az
taii ana stately young lady swept ont rror,
i psl,nu =. .he oaken screen. with a danclna
s nsn La ., m misehief in her eyes, AlIevno
started with establishment as he recoar,,ne
Inc very maiden who had suffered from its
innsne violence in the forest She no
ever. but was attired in long sUeeni"g
n no9e or black velvet of Bruges. with iali-
cate cate. tracery OF white lace at neck ana AT
w VII. scarce to be seen against her ivory
SIN beautiful as she had seemed 10 him
s 81 aors, ine 1.-THE charm of her figure ana
a me proud. Tree grace of her bearing wera
attire. pi'ei'y oA her
fTo be continued tomorrowl