Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-30

short flight of stone stairs leading to the
boudolr, and his attitude no archbishop
could have bettered.
Mr. Gavin Ord, Ii Il mott he asked.
Gavin said that II was 90.
I'VE kept dinner back ten minutes sir
trust there has not been an accident
No accident at aii-go and tell the earl
that am here"
Mr.. Griggs looked as though he had been
shot.
James viii do that" he retorted loftily-
baton.
The obsequious footman strolled OF to do
the majestic mans bidding and Gavin
meanwhile found himself In the banaueting
hall, an old Tudor apartment he had adj
mired In many pictures, but now entered
for the first time. The banners Of three
centuries hung In tatters from its oaken
ceiling, the musicians gallery stood as 1t
was when fiddle and harp made music there
for the seventh Henry, but Gavin resented
the fashion of electric lamps none the less
and instantly resolved to change then-iu
which intention the fat butler interrupted
him with the news that the earl awaited
Mr.. Ord IN the long gallery.
Her ladyship is there, too, sir. Per-
haps you win be taking supper after
wards?
Nothing tonight" replied Ord quickly
II shall dream enough in the old house
without that
And 1 dare say you will. sir. Many.s
the night I've seen a something, though I
couldn't rightly say what 1t were
Gavin judged that 1t might have been
a flask of spirits which thus troubled the
good mans dreams but he made no COM
ment as they mounted a broad staircase
and, passing through a dainty little room
in one of the turrets of the house. entered
the superb long gallery which is the very
masterpiece of Melbourne Hail. The vast
length of this, its glorious ceiling the
carvings In geometric tracery, the embra-
sured windows the bays. the ingles-how
familiar they seemed to Gavin, yet how
far from the truth of them had the draw
ings been! Just as man may enter joy
ously the house of his dreams as a very
home of love and welcome, SO did Gavin
pass into the gallery and feast his eyes
upon its treasures. Here, he said, a life's
work might be done, indeed; here the ripest
genius might fall and be gathered by the
lap of time.
There were brass candelabra at intervals
upon the walls of the gallery and little
electric lamps aglow IN the sham candles
above them. Far down the immense apart
ment Gavin perceived the stalwart figure
of bronze-faced man and by his side a
young girl whose pose was so natural
whose manner was clearly that of an
aristocrat, that he did not hesitate to name
her instantly for Lord Melbourne's daugh-
ter. Unable at the distance to see much
or her face. 1t took shape for him as he
drew nearer, and so he found himself
against his vii. staring at her intently as
one who would satisfy himself as to where
and when he had seen her before. This in
terest-he could not Immediately explain nor
did her fathers cordial, If somewhat loud
toned greeting, recall him from his vain
pursuit of identity. He felt instinctively
mat the Lady Evelyn was no stranger to
MIN, and yet for the life of him he could
give no good account of any previous meet
ing.
welcome to Melbourne Hail. Mr. Ord
u.s." 'oN
Gavin stammered some vain tale of lost
tram and business calls; but he did not
tear his eyes away from the Lady Evelyn'e
face.
Great God!' he said to himself at last
that was the face saw In the riverr'