The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-28
THE NEWS DEMOCRATS DAILY STORY
To be published in daily installments this page
The House of a
Candles
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
MEREDITH NICHOLSON
Copyright by
Che Bobbs Merrill Company

brightly at either side OF a massive en-
trance. Bates flung IL open without ado,
and l stepped quickly into great hall
that was lighted dimly by candles fas-
tened INTO brackets on the walls.
II hope you've not expected too much,
Mr.. Glenarm." said Bates, with a tone OF
mild apology. MS very incomplete for
living purposes"
We'll we've got TO make the best Of
it," i answered though without much
cheer. The sound of our steps reverber-
ated and echoed in the we'll of "a grea:
staircase. There was not, as far as /
could see, a single article OF furniture in
the place.
Here's something you'll like better.
sir, and Bates paused far down the
hall and opened a door.
A single candle made a little pool of
light in what / felt To be a large room.
/ was prepared for a disclosure of barren
ugliness, and waited, i'm heartsick fore
boding, for the silent guide TO reveal
dreary prison.
please sit here, SIR" said Bates,
while l make a better light"
He moved through the dark room with
perfect ease. struck "a match. lighted a
taper and went swiftly and softly about.
He touched the taper to one candle after
another-they seemed TO be everywhere
ana won from the dark a faint twilight,
that yielded slowly to "a growing mellow
splendor Of light. / have often watched
the acolytes in dim cathedrals OF the
Old World set countless candles ablaze
on magnificent altars-always with awe
for the beauty OF the spectacle: but In
this unknown house the austere serving
man summoned from the shadows a love
ler and more bewildering enchantment.
Youth alone, of beautiful things, is love-
lier than light.
The lines OF the walls receded as the
light increased. and the raftered ceiling
drew away, Turing the eyes upward. i
rose with a smothered exclamation on
my lips and stared about, snatchlng off
my hat in reverence as the spirit or the
place wove its spell about me. Every
where there were books; they covered
the walls to the ceiling. with only long
French windows and an enormous fire.
place breaking the line Above the fire.
place a massive dark oak chimney-breast
further emphasized the grand scale of the
room.
From every conceivable place-from
shelves built for the purpose, from brack-
cts that thrust out long arms among the
books, from great crystal chandelieT
suspended from the ceiling. and from the
breast Of the chimney-innumerable can
dies blazed with dazzling brilliancy |
exclaimed in wonder and pleasure as
Bates paused his sorcerer's wand in
hand
Mr.. Glenarm was very fond ~ candle
light he liked TO gather up candlesticks.
and his collection is very fine lie called
his place The House OF a Thousand Can
dies There's only about a hundred
here. but Il was one OF his conceits that
when the house was finished there would
be a thousand lights. He had quite
Joking way, your grandfather. II suited
his humor 90 call II a thousand lie en-
joyed his own pleasantries sir"
II fancy he did" / replied, staring in
bewilderment.
"Oil lamps might he moro suited 20 your
own taste, sir. But your grandfather
would not have them. Old brass and cop
per were specialties with him. and he had
a particular taste. Mr.. Glenarm had. I'm
glass candlesticks He held that the crys-
tai was most effective OF all I'll 20 and
let In the baEgageman and then serve
YOU some supper"
lie went somberly out and | examined
the room with amazed and delighted ewes
II was 80 feet long and haf az wide. The
hard wood floor was covered with hand
some rugs; every piece of furniture was
quaint or interesting Carved I'm the
heavy oak pauoling above the fireplace.
I'm large old English letters. was the in
scription: The Spirit of Man II the
Candle Of the Lord and on either side
great candelabra sent long arms across
the hearth
CTo be continued toyorrow)