Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-09-19
Cor the Sake
of the Hbbey
By Give R. Fem
By Give R.. Fem

bit difficult to get to, which was one
of its charms, and the fishing was
good.
But the Crusaders Arms was the
strong point-an undeveloped inn
with a rustic garden and veranda, &c
say nothing of cooking and a quiet
far-away touch about it which was
balmlike and soothing after the fever
and hurry of the city. Care could be
laid aside there. You stepped out 81
the front door into an open place
flsnked by a garden and with coun.
tIy road little further on, while oc
casionally-very occasionally-there
was to be seen white puff OF smoke
on the other side of a heather-clad
hill denoting that train on the branch
line by which travellers reached the
Crusaders Arms was leisurely taking
its departure.
There was picture in the parlor Of
Una subjugating lion that was lost
in admiration and there was anothe:
showing an attack on Belfort in 1870.
1t was an ideal place even when it
rained. Golfers eongregated there,
and the fascination of it all was borne
in upon Floyd as he went upstairs.
There came to the ear the sound Of
piano from downstairs and there was
the whisper of voices. How strange
is the semisilence of a hotel, that note
of mystery, that fantastic suggestion
of odd little, half-forgotten things, of
incidents of travel. sensations of the
great routes of the world.
But when he arrived, unannounced
in June the landlord held up his
hands in dismay.
mo room Proclaimed Floyd.
Very sorry, sir said the landlord.
''If you had only written! But they
might put you up at the Sheaves, kept
by lady, Miss Charteris''
"Ah, will try there and John
Floyd drove away down the village
street and into the country again, for
the lyman to pull up at pretty rose
and clematis covered cottage.
The Sheaves is not an inn, sir"
said the fyman as he got down, but
/ believe it's all right"
And when a few minutes later the
visitor found himself inside the house
he realized that the driver spoke the
truth
Miss Charters interested him ex-
tremely, but why she took in board
ers puzzled him.
you must be rather lonely here
he said.
NO" she answered, there is plenty
to interest me-"
He nodded shortly.
mo doubt. But is there anything
archaeological? We Americans are
that way, you know"
There is the abbey" she said.
May one go there?"
The girl hesitated.
Il mean with permission, of course.
1t is not inhabited?"
MO-, it is not inhabited" she
said slowly.
"You take great interest in it?" he
said.
yes, and fear the Goths and Van.
dals."
THE Goths and Vandals?"
You see, the abbey is all have
she said, WisinI!yy. OF used to be-
long to my family, all this part, and
it is the only bit left"
"And it's ruin" he put in thought.
fully and at that minute as he looked
at her he unconsciously felt glad that
he liked fishing and that the procIivity
had led his steps to that out-of-the-way
corner of the world.
Yes" she murmured, ut is a ruin.
but very beautiful ruin. If you like,
] could show you it; they would let
me-"
The young man wondered who the
mythical they" might be, as he ac-
companied her into the silent path
ways Of the ancient stronghold, mo-
nastic in its solemnity now.
"The staircase is very old and
worn" he said.
Eyes" she answered, the Cru.
ssders did chip the steps a good deal
in tramping up and down"
He looked at her, but said not
word.
He could not sleep that night. for
all the busy traffic of the short sum
mer night seemed to be In league
against him. A bat came with a
bump on the easement, the fastening
ratified, then a great white moth
sailed in and lowered dangerously
over the candle. He rose at last and
dressed and then, just as he opened
the door, he saw in the dusky corridor
a fgure-a phantom OF the night
There was a movement below and he
descended to follow her into the silent
country lane out into the woodland
clearing, theme into the forest, finally
into the courtyard of the nd chateau.
which just then looked more dream,
like still.
He lost sight of her in that maze or
moss-covered, lvy-wreathed archways,
where the moonlight fell in silver
patches, and he stopped to think he
fore pursuing his way, actuated now
principally by insight and admira-
ton for what he saw and realizing
that he stood very little chance of find.
ing his involuntary guide, familiar as