Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-15
SATURDAY. =. DEC. 18TH, 1906.

Monsieur VIctor-which was all OF
his name that Anita could pronounce
led them through the dismal entry
TO a time-worn staircase which
branched right and left at the top.
They came out upon a balcony which
curved and surrounded an oval court
yard-al dim and mysterious.
I'm so glad We came 10 this place.
whispered Alice Doesn't il feel
creepy" She chung close 70 Mrs.
Ashton. thrilling with a delicious
sense OF adventure.
Monsieur Victor paused where the
opposite balconies come together
again, entered a wide hall and tri-
umphantly threw open the first door
TO his right.
"Zis is madame's apartment 20
young ladies have re apartment two
doors farzer. across ze hall. have
one grand regret. madame. zat l can
not prepare re apartments toEezzer-
but It is now impossible lis was
once re apartment OF re COmtesse
Vaudreuil: General Jackson he sleep
here, and Laftte-ah re terrible La
ftte. But. madame. madame. you be-
stow upon my poor house one grand
honaire."
Mrs. Ashton listened impatiently-
her foot was soaking wet
Yes. yes she assented; Il daresay
IL will do very we'll"
"Oui. oui. madame. an 20 tapestry,
ancionne--ze VARY same when ze Due
d'Orleaus sleep in zis room-Ah. I
see. madame is Observation-Disclosures
mise. Arthemise." he clapped his
hands. and called.
The girl came running. Monsieur
Victor indicated Mrs. Ashton's foot
with a gesture most delicate and
gallant laid his hand upon his heart
and bowed himself backward from
the room.
Arthemise. def and quick. with
comical shrugs that sent the girls gig
Cling again. stripped Mrs. Ashton's
foot and hathcd Il so speedily that
the old LADY forgot to grumble. The
maid spoke no English. but her keen
eyes missed nothing. aud she was
gone the moment that they needed her
no longer.
These French maids put me in a
hdget-remind me OF wasp buzzlnE
around" grumhled Mrs. Ashton. The
girls were wandering about the large
room. commenting on everything
Look. Alice. NJ that tapestry; IL
must be a thousand years old. A cru
sader; see the red cross. Just think
OF Il. we are an the very room where
a pirate used 90 stay-Laftte was a
pirate wasn't he2 Maybe that was
his cabinet. all inlaid: I wonder how
you open 10. Wouldn't Il be grand
II we could find some OF Lahtte's
treasurer"
Mrs. Ashton undressed herself
methodicnlly; pirates Gen. Jackson
and the duke OF Orleans were all
alike to her; she was very sleepy.
The enthusiastic girls went down
on their knees before that artfully
devised Spanish cabinet. and began
pryinc INFO its secrets
IL Rad four panels below. and
ec''' '"r- @Nove wh'cS seemed 10 let
down the I'D OF a desk The two
meddiers eNpcrlme nted with its iron
fretwork and complicated fastenings
until drawer after drawer few open
all empty. commonplace, disappoint-
ing.
Time you girls were going to bed"
"All right. mamma. in a minute;
look at that picture. Napoleon at the
Bridge of Lodi" Alice puzzled out
the French inscription. and felt very
proud OF herself
What's that other one-the woman
behind tho bars?"
Charlotte Corday in prison. sup
pose Mrs. Ashton interrupted.
Now so TO bed; I'm tired. and we
have lot of shopping to do to-mor-
row"
"All right. mamma" Alice kept
walking around looking at things.
What comical old bed-big as a
house-lots bigger than a fiat. Won't
you feel like a grande marquise sleep
ing behind green silk curtains.
and"
Go to bed" This command was
final
The girls leaned In between the
green silk curtains and kissed Mrs.
Ashton good night.
DO you feel better. mother?"
Yes, feel all right; just sleepy
Good night"
They went reluctantly out OF the
room. their backward glances resting
upon many curious things that they
were eager to examine. Look Ami
Ia. Alice whispered when they had
closed the door-'look at those knobs:
they're cut glass. like decanter stop
pers. But this one is broken"
The hallway seened so big and dark
so fun or weird shadows and mumbline
ghosts. that they caught each others
hands and ran laughing to their room.
isn't 1t scary here?" said Alice. as
she closed the door safely behind
them
(TO BE CONTINUED