The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-05-10
AN ApM1RER OF SHAKESPEARE
ny n. MURRAY GnCHRIsT.

By R. MURRAY GILCHRIsT. fCopyright 1906. by Joseph B Bowleso The very mention of Eunice Beau nont's library brouhgt warm glow yo the Grassbrook pride. The village lies amidst the sycamores near par rand bridge-a remote place where, un- Til within the last few years education consisted of the three "R's." plain sew ing for the girls, and for either sex, the rules of old-fashioned courtesy
 Eunice. however, had natural talents; she loved to widen her outlook; and so. being in strengthened means. she made had inherited from her sire particularly the works of Shakespeare in seven vol umes.
 She derived small income from the rent of two cottages near the church: for the rest she did fine needlework for such of the well-to-do as were too conservative to use machine-stitched underclothes The old parson-Parson ewaliow--vould wear no other shirts than those she made.
 On the afternoon when my Lady Danmon sent the message for her 10 present herself at Cresswell Hall, she was gathering white raspberries Tn marrow garden where luscious century old things rioted.
 Good mornin'. Miss Beaumont said Mrs. Danmon's young groom. Tier Iadyship's housekeeper. Mrs. Dunn' she's sent me to inquire If you're free to come down to CressweH tomorrow A alarming joh on an old chair as has been stored in the lumber-room for Lord knows how long. Her ladyship came upon it awhile ago, and wants IL m use again. Mrs Dunn she spoke of you, and here I am to ask if it's con venient
 The old woman flushed with pleasure; never before had such an interestinS piece of work fallen to her lot Tis vastly good of Mrs. Dunn. she said. ..and of her ladyship. too for that mat fer Ay I'll be glad indeed to come
 The next morning she was shawlcd and bonneted by nine; but the young man did not appear until II; and the stable clock at Cresswell Hall was striking F when she alighted from the doecart. She had never visited the place before save on rare occasions when 1t was thrown open to the public; now that she was about to occupy her self beneath it's roof, the magnifcence seemed to increase ten-fold, l. was tall house. built in Tudor times. but refronted with smooth Italian stone when George I. was king. The warm sun burnished the windows of the fa- cade; blue-gray smoke rose from the twisted chimneyS.
 An elderly woman. portly and digni- fled. came ont into the courtyard. She wore a black silk gown, and white muslin apron with a crimped border. Eunice curtsied; the other did the same, then offered a friendly hand.
 I'm glad you could come so prompt 1y,' she said.
 After many timorous questions con- cerning etiquette, the old maid was taken upstairs to small boudoir. where A-II I 1errN woman of middle age, sat in the win dow recess writing letters. She nodd- ed kindly. then sealed her envelopes with 'faint-nued wax. and after dis missing Mrs. Dunn preceded Eunice along a gallery and up several stair eases to a great attic lighted with sem icircular windows.
 ''This is the room" said the lady. "and here is the chair" She removed the chintz cover. The needlework, as you see. is frayed. particularly on the arms. l want you to restore it. It was, found, given to Lord Danman's s ancestor by Queen Elizabeth herself. By the merest chance I came upon a mention of it in an old housekeeping book"
 As she reached the doorway, a shrill cry of something not unlike terror made her turn. My lady! my lady most humbly ask your pardon but"
 You are afraid of being alone?' said Lady Danman. One of the young maids shall sit with you"
 Iris not that" said Eunice in a low voice. TT was taken aback seeing q gentleman looking at me from between the clocksr'
 Her ladyship laughed merrily. My good soul" she said Tt is but a bust of Shakespeare copy of the one in stratford Church. An. I see. it does look real. with the light falling on it's painted cheeks and the old curtain hanging from the bracket"
 Eunice's hands were tightly clasped T ask yonr pardon again. my lady she said "but--did you say Shake speare-the great Shakespeare of the plays?"
 The very Shakespeare, said Lady Danmau. The immortal bard And now really must go. You will be in excellent company"
 She retired, leaving the spinster and the bust in silence as profound as that of an empty church. For tlmc Eunice resolutely attended to the matching of her silks: but at last d reverent curiosity forced her to ap- proach the presentiment of the genius Dust lay thick upon brow and nose she took a folded cloth from her apror pocket. and with trembling ing ?r' carefully wiped all away. The color ing now became vivid; she could hav' sworn that the bland face grew kind CT because of her touch.
 ITO think of it" she said with bateC breath. TO think as I should be alon' with him.
 The clock struck somewhere in thu distance. She was too conscientious t spend time in adoration that should h. spent at work, so she filled her needl' and knelt beside the chair, steadfastl, striving to forget the wonderful strangeness of nGr surroundings. I'm put into it all her skill. It was slow however; and when Lady Danman cam'