The Jasper weekly courier., 1907-07-05
CHAPTER XVI.
The Death-Mask Aualn.

One does not expect TO find IN
Switzerland grace and charm in archi-
lecture. There are no historic cha.
teaux worthy Of a pilgrimage. This
castle OF Alterhoffen gave one the SIM
pie impression of sheer strength. II
was primitive and savage and bare OF
pretense to beauty as its founder must
have been.
rather squat tower OF immense
solidity, the roof steeply sloping. the
windows narrow and few. IL would
have been commonplace and ugly in
the extreme had it not been for three
smaller semicrcular towers placed at
each angle of the larger one The ef-
feet OF this triangularshaped tower.
with its three supporting towers. was
bizarre, but not unpleasing II pre-.
pared one for an interior unique and
interesting.
We passed beneath the arched door.
way, severe and bare Of ornament, into
the great hall At the left was the
grand stairway, the balustrades OF oak
massive and dark with age, but ad-
mirably carved At the end Of the
hall. on the right. a fire of logs was
blazing brightly. The hooded mantel
Gothic in design. was also of oak and
/ blackened with the smoke Of cen.
tunes. stand of banners stood near
/ the foot of the stairway. Not far from
\ the fireplace was a curious spiral stair.
case leading to the gallery that ran
/ the length of the room above. Tapes.
/ tries covered the bare walls and filled
the spaces between the narrow win.
dows that looked out on the court
I yard. The furniture was OF the period
of the French Renaissance-covere
/ for the most part with stamped leather
Of gold and dull red
| could not repress cry Of delight
as ! entered. had passed in an in
( slant from the world Of commonplace
hotels and railway trains into an at.
mosphere of charm and beauty. For
no matter how industriously the con.
noisseur in America may gather about
him exquisite and beautiful things. he
cannot shut out the scream Of the
railroad train: he cannot transplant
across the seas the charm of medieval
ism that clings to castle walls. II is
one thing TO see the Cluny with a
guide book; il is quite another to find
ones self guest at the Cluny.
You like my Castle Of Happiness?"
asked Madame de WARMER. pleased at
the pleasure | showed
1T promises its adventures" / re.
piled meaningly
Il have told you that your hour OF |
romance has come. But remember. |
romance in these prosaic days is a gift |
of the gods given only to children and |
poets. few women and lovers. and to
the very bold. II you would claim the
gift, monsieur. you must have some
thing of the nature OF all of these. The
sincere trust Of the child. you must
certainly know what this is. monsieur.
The poets imagination, his delightful
power of make-believe, you must not
iespise that A woman's tenderness,
and lovers ardor. these. too. are
necessary. And last of all, the daring
)f the hero"
She had whispered these rather
attributes as ! walked
across the hall 10 the staircase, follow.
ng the servant with my bag.
"A rather large bill, madam" sug.
rested humoI 0usly
oh but | am serious very serious
assure you that II is not sentimental
ak"
II am afraid / must contradict YOU
The daring of the hero, for instance
ven one so optimistic as yourself
ould scarcely expect that of me-
Monsieur" she protested earnestly
have already told you that refuse
D believe you a coward. DO you be
eve it yourself? You know you do
OF. The task | am 10 give you would :
ppall any but the brayest heart II ]
equires audacity, absolute assurance {
nd clever brain. But | believe in :
ou. You will not disappoint me. We 1
inc in half an hour"
Or Starva had stood with his back ,
the fire. He called after me. scowl i
IL, as | assembled the stairs: =
You will find. as have said, tha, a
adam is an admirable host. But II I
Ie guest is to be quite happy he must
'cept the diversions madam offers b
I'd when they are offered" a
Ii was not the words so much as the d
ne that menaced. IL emphasized the c
,nviction | already felt. DR.. Starve |,
d not welcome my coming 20 the cas- {
e As ! reached the gallery | saw .
adame dc WARMER address him al. c
ost fiercely. | was not blind to his g
lien contempt. though evidently the 4
oman was the ruling spirit here v
GRO BE CONTINUED r
20 your work and your worth Will q