Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-10-19

! night we go &c Vitznau by the boat
! Before the birds awake tomorrow we
must be off--up, up. up the mountains
! 10 my chateau. Il will break my heart
II we are delayed"
Your chateau has great attraction
for you," I said smiling.
She came toward me impulsively.
her hands clasped
oh. yor would like my chateau.
monsieur. II is strong and rugged:
and so high that to see its towers
1 through the branches OF the pine
trees. as you climb the hillside. it
seems dream, a fantasy. And be-
/ low. very far below. there is the noisy
/ little river that rushes around its base.
and an adorable village that crouches
I close 90 IL for protection. And within.
/ there are great shadowy rooms with
/ cleaning bare floors and tapestries.
/ Oh. yes, and there is my beloved piano.
/ When the thunder rolls terribly over
/ the lonely mountains. and the storm
/ beats against the curtained windows.
and the fire of huge logs in the hearth
does not reach the somber corners
oh, It is then that I 1--we am in
! spired. In the night the passionate
soul OF Chopin speaks to me. And in
/ the morning when the sun is shining
again. and the little river is gay and
| turbulent, there are my flowers and
my books and my poor. And there is
| peace. Ny castle Is a Castle OF Indo-
| lence, and II is 8 Castle Of Happiness"
That is the castle we are all look
ing for said wistfully.
She moved restlessly 20 the piano.
She struck the opening chords Of that
! prelude OF Chopin which is at once
q suggestion OF a funeral march and
q procession in a cathedral. 7 watched
her. fascinated. though I had sworn
would not be fascinated by her.
She stopped abruptly IA the midst
| OF = phrase. Her white arms dropped
70 her lap. She looked over toward
me. Then she leaned her elbows on
| the keys; she nodded 20 me, half IN
entreaty, half in command. stood
opposite her. leaning toward her.
across the piano.
But sometimes I am lonely IN my
chateau" she said in a low voice.
Come with Dr. Starva and myself.
Be our guest Mr.. Haddon."
/ I started. A mani had not count
ed on that had known this was TO
be an evening OF surprises. had
schooled myself 20 meet them without
wouder. But This IN citation. so strange
| " and so Unexpectedly given. com
! pletely astouished me. Who was this
convenient cousin. this Or. starva?
The chance had expected had
come, To accept such an invitation
as matter OF course. however, would
DO too absurd.
You give invitations 20 al the
world?" I asked ungraciously.
mo. monsieur. only 20 those who In
terest me. and Who"
Are OF use 10 you2" I asked indis-
creetly.
She looked at me with cool. level
eyes, still playing. "Absolument."
"And IN what way do I happen 20 be
OF use 20 you. Madame de Varnler?"
she smiled mystoriously, shaking
her head.
THAT is a secret"
Il detosts secrets" 7 said irritably.
But II the secret were a condi-
tlon2"
Then I should probably refuse. I
do not accept invitations when there
are conditions attached to them"
"Then u say that Il is because
Ike you2"
e Il should not believe you"
~'rhen perhaps ] am sorry for you.
You are unhappy. ] viii take you TO
. my chateau 90 find happiness"
, Come. Madame de WARMER. let us
stop fencing. Why did you speak to
me last night7 Why do you pretend
: 20 be interested IN me-so interested
that you ask me. an utter stranger, to
: visit your chateau? Do you remember
my story Of yesterday? Am l TO think
r do you wish me 20 think"
She looked at me intently. very pale
Her lips we're trembling. and yet she
, smlled-a smile mysterious. tragic
/ pitiful.
, Monsieur, I am not jeune file.
am a woman OF the world. Fate has
, called 20 me. must follow; I mus
I meet my destiny; sometimes I mus
! walk IN the dark places. The world
: your world, let It think what il will
! Bah. IL IS not my concern what 4
thinks OF me. Perhaps last night. this
, morning I wished you TO fall in Low,
Z with me. Perhaps now I am asking
Y you 20 give me a little respect, a yer!
I. little. monsieur. But what does 4
q natter"
4 / looked at this strange woman IL
4 establishment. 1t was a curious plea
q Perhaps she had wished to make m'
= fall in love with herl She made thu
> frank confession with a childish
4 nafvete. And in the same breath sh'
9 asked for my respect!
you speak in riddles" 1 exclaims'
h petulantly. Tell me your purpose"
: She looked up at me swiftly. half fl
9 defiance
o Tell me yours"
p my purposel" cried. Il hav
none"
I A moment she scanned my fac
I keenly. Apparently she was satisfies
I that / spoke the truth. But that sh
I should have even a glimmer OF a sus
) picion was startling.
Z "IQok nv friend ] speak no NOR