Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-30
PROLOGUE.
The Face in the River.


TTHE porter did not know; the sta
ton master was not sure; but
both were agreed that 1t was
II good step to the abby which
they signifed the Derbyshre
mansion OF the third Earl of Melbourne.
Might be you'd get a cab, might be you
wouldn't" said the porter somewhat loftily
for here was a passenger who had spoken
OF walking over: 'thatH depend on Jacob
Price and the beer he's drunk this night
Some nights he can drive man and some
nights he can't. I'm not here to speak for
him more than any other"
The station master, who had been giving
the whole weight of his intelligence TO
brown paper parcel with no address upon
IL, here chimed In to ask a question in that
patronizing manner peculiar to station mas
tiers
Did his -lordship expect you. sr?'' he
asked with some emphasis as though, had
II been the case, he certainly should have
been informed OF II. The reply found him
all civilty.
Il should have been here by the train ar
irving at half-past six, said Gavin Ord,
the passenger in question-'it is my fault,
certainly. No doubt they sent to meet
me-
THE brown shay and pair of 'osses
stood in the yard more'n an hour" eX-
claimed the porter with just reproach TN
tell Mr.. Jacob. He knows his betters when
he sees him, drunk or sober
Thank you said Gavin, quietly, but l
will not put his knowledge to the proof.
After all. it's only five miles. you say
And public house at Moretown II the
dust sticks In your throat. You'll do better
walking than up alongside old Jacob at this
time of night sir
Had we known that his lordship expected
a guest, we'd have answered for car
Tiage," added the station master sun
apologetically.
The tall fair-haired Engllshman perplexed
him He hardly knew whether he addressed,
a duke or a commOner. The voice and man
nor suggested the former; the intention 10
walk spoke of q vulgar habit rather peht-
ting his lordships Curate than the honoreu
guest Of Melbourne Hall. Gavin ord, upon
his part. perhaps, delighted In perpleNlng
people. He quite understood the kinG u
curiosity he had aroused; and, refusing to
crafty il. he snatChed up light dressing
bag. and leaving directions for MS heavier
luggage to be forwarded In the morning,
he set off briskly upon the high road 20
Moretown beyond which, as all the world
knows lies the Manor of Melbourne
Going 70 make a long stay, slrT hao
been the miable station masters last
shot.
"Oh. l may settle down there for long
time" said ord in reply; and this news was
all over the village in an hour.
Strangers upon the road to Metpourne
Hail we're not SO many that one should
III he's Tor the Lady Evelyn" the bhthe
pOTter confessed over MS cups al Il 1sANNA
hour "she might go farther and get
worse-looking man. Gave me a stllIln, ne
did and carried his bag hissef. That
what l call a gentleman, now,
Unconscious of this tribute 10 his quai'-
ties Gavin Ord was then more than three
miles upon hts road TO Melbourne Hall.
hot day Of August had given place 10
delicious night, fresh and cool and redo
lent OF sweet perfumes The moon stood
high above the horizon. shining with gio-
rious mellow light upon the gathered
sheaves and the grattan where the V neat
was garnered. So plain were the mltops
TO be seen that the very focks could almost
he numbered upon them; while the bare
walls OF limestone. the tors or spar and
the mfgher mounts were Neined as by flits
OF Jewels giving back in glittertug flashes
the mooubeams they had husbanded Inc
roads themselves were eloquent by night
When a farmers cart went rumoiing ny
Gavin could hear the echo or the morse
hoofs and the rolling sound or wheels TOT
quite a long time
He was man of redoubtahie physique,
trained by laboriOus days at home ana
abroad to the finer qualities or his endnr-
ance: an nothing was more 10 ms pk'ns
than this lonely pilgrimage to Il splendid
house wherein he believed that an adVsn-
tageous welcome awaited him A stranger
20 Lord Melbourne, he never allowed him
self 10 forget that his own talents and
achievements had made this visit II ssibie
and opened to him the doors OF rouse
which few even of the aristocracy now en-
tered. For Gavin ora was cahSu IN Lon
don the first among the younger school OF
architects-an artist of prodigious original
ity and daring and one with as many sides
TO his talent a diamond has facets. Al
ready had Burlington House heapei her
honors upon him The great church at
KeI sington would he believed stand as his
memorial to all time. But for prodtgal-
ity and a refusal 10 consider mere matter
of money. his plans for a new cathedral In
the north would certainly have been ac-
cepted by the committee. AS II was. crit
les said. There is the man OF tomorrow.
He liked to hear them say II, FOR he had a
great concelt in his art II none Tor himself.
Something OF ne spirit of the old-ttme
builders moved within him. His magma
ton dwelt In lofty temples, roamed in vast
aises-looked down upon men from a mas
terpiece of spires He was but servant.
II only the stone which dominated men S
hearts.
And now this famous old recluse, this &C.
centric. unknown Earl of Melbourne. had
summoned him to save the stately Mel
bourne Hall from its emily enemy-time