Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-12-21
n INV Zl.[N IK

house built Of brick and stucco. The
path wound among live oaks and cyr
press trees. and on the other side |
could hear the bubble OF fountains
Near the house the path was offset by
a small park. shaded with orange and
magnolia trees. and festooned with
beautiful flowers and rare foliage. In
the center OF this miniature park .
marble fountain. around which hov.
cred groups Of naiads and cupids. sent
forth u spray Of iimpid water. which
shone like a shower Of pearls In the
moonlight as II fell softly among the
flowers.
The air was heavy with perfume:
the scene was beautiful: ! paused to
admire Il.
In the rear OF the house I heard the
bay OF great dog. A parrot screamed
above me In the magnoiias. and .
mockins'bird sent forth q rapturous
melody from u nearby tree.
! turned again toward the old house,
light burned low and softly filtered
through the high transom and thick
curtains. stepped upon the veranda.
which extended the full length OF the
house. and stood In front OF = lofty
nrched doorway. I heard the sound Of
a violin coming family from some
room above, paused a moment to
listen. then seized the bronze knockcr.
bell pcaied forth from some distant
hall. ! heard steps softly dcsccndin.
the stair. then the massive door
opened. revealing an old man, strai.h,
and tall. His hair was white. his I'm.
pcr!ai and moustache white. his eyes
were keen and searching. ! caught q
glimpse OF the scene around me
heavy carpets OF velvet, rich paintings
and rare bric.a.brac. A broad stair.
sny broke the monotony OF the long
hall. which extended far back and di.
vided the building In twain. The door
easements were carved with fantastic
nsures. whose rrinnins faces had
locked for hundred years upon many
varied scenes In that lon. hall.
You are welcome. Mr.. Rodin." said
the old man. as he motioned me to
enter
Then he made tho sign OF The In.
visible Hand" which | returned.
a servant as black rs ebony. In
white linen front and full dress. waK
summoned. We entered n large room
with polished floors covered with soft
rugs. Wine was brought-somc old
vintage that made me think of ancient
cellars and cobwcbs. Then the scry.
ant left us. closin. the door after him.
Tho walls were hidden by shelves
Of books: the chairs and divans were
Of leather. and luxuriousiy comforta.
Bile. great rosewood table stood In
the center OF the room. near which the
the old gentleman had now seated
himself.
You are our new member from
Australian" he said pleasantly.
From England" I replied.
Then I placed letter in his hand.
which he carefully pcrused.
'Ah. yes. I remember. you have
been sojourning In the island"
! said as much on the subject ~
thought the occasion demanded, and
which I fancied he knew. but he lis
tened with the most apparent interest.
Il suppose am speaking to Mr.. De
Tavenier," I said. suddenly recalling
the fact that had only taken him for
granted.
He bowed: "Ycs. I am Mr.. Tavenier.
SIR he said. "and have been advised
OF your coming. and shall try to make
Is ps pleasant for you as circumstances
will permit"
l thanked him, and rs he again
filed my glass and raised his own In a
toast to our mutual friendship. the bell
In the hall changed forth with a sud.
dcnncss that caused him to lower his
wine untasted. He stood for mo.
ment, his fine face showing certain
perplexity. then, eNcusing himself. he
left the room. attending the bell him
self. I wondered that he did not call
the servant.
heard his muilled steps on the soft
carpet and the opening of the door
Then there came excited voices from
the hall-some one had entered, and
was following the old man to the rear
of the building.
I waited for his return. but after an
hour | became impatient. The negro
entered noiselessly. and conveying the
excuses and regrets of his master for
the night placed himself at my serv.
ice.
was conducted to one of the front
chambers above, large, airy and sweet
scented. A fine old bed, canopied and
curtained. stood in one corner, its
great posts almost touching the lofty
ceiling: the carpets soft like those be-
low; the chairs large and luxurious,
and tasteful pictures on the wall. The
curtained windows were hung with
lace. held above by heavy cornices of
brass. and the reddish light filtered
through the rose.colered shades Of the
lamp, diffusing Its soft rays and dimly
revealing the old world furniture,
stately and somber.
The servant had bowed himself out,
and still stood near the center of the
lofty old chamber, impressed beyond