The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-11-28
cHAPTtR XVI.
The Death.msss Again.

ne Dcdtn-mdor again.
One does not expect 10 md in
Switzerland grace and charm in archt
lecture. There are no historic cha
teaux worthy OF pilgrimage. This
castle OF Alterhoffen gave one the sim
Pile impression OF sheer strength. II
was primitive and savage and bare Of
pretense to beauty as its founder must
have been.
A rather squat towes OF immense
solidity. the roof steepi, slipping. the
windows narrow and few, II would
have been commonplace and ugly In
the extreme hsd II not been for three
smaller semicircular towers placed al
each angle OF the larger one The ef.
feet OF this triangularsheped tower.
with its three supporting towers. was
bizarre. but not unpleasing. Il 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 % oak
massive and dark with age. but ad-
mirably carved. At the end OF tie
hall. on the right. fire of logs was
blazing brightly. The hooded mantsi.
Gothic in design. was also OF oak and
blackened with the smoke OF cen
turies. A stand OF banners stood near
the foot Of the stairway Not far from
the fireplace was a curious spiral stair
case leading 10 the gallery that ras
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
yard The furniture was OF the period
OF the French Renaissance-cover
for the most part with stamped leathsr
OF gold and dull red.
could not repress a cry OF delight
as I entered. had passed in an In
slant from the world OF commonplace
hotels and railway trains into an az.
mosphere OF charm and beauty. Fos
no matter how industriously the coz
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 20 castle walls. II 10
one thing TO see the Cluny with Q
guide book; II is quite another to find
ones self guest at the Cluny.
You like my Castle OF Happiness?-
asked Madame de WARMER. pleased al
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. n 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
despise that A woman's tenderness,
and a lovers ardor. these, too. are
necessary. And last OF all. the daring
OF the hero"
She had whispered these rather
comprehensive attributes as walked
across the hall to the staircase. follow.
ing the servant with my bag.
"A rather large bill. madam" I sug.
gested humorously.
"Oh. but I am serious, very serious
| assure you that II is not sentimental
talk"
Il am afraid must contradict you
The daring OF the hero. for instance.
even one so optimistic as yourself
could scarcely expect that OF me"
Monsieur" she protested earnestly.
Il have already told you that refuse
to believe you a coward. Do you be
lieve 1t yourself? You know you do
not. The task am 10 give you would
appall any but the bravest heart. II
requires audacity. absolute assurance,
and a clever brain. But | believe In
you. You will not disappoint me. We
dine in half an hour"
DIR. Starva had stood with his back
to the fire. He called after me- scowl-
Ing, as / assembled the stairs:
you will find, as have sad. that
madam Is an admirable host But II
the guest is to be quite happy he must
accept the diversions madam offers
and when they are offered"
IL was not the words SO much as the
tone that lnenaced. II emphasized the
conviction ] already felt: DR.. Starva
lid not welcome my coming to the cas-.
lie. AS reached the gallery / saw
de WARMER address him al
most fercely. was not blind to his
sullen contempt, though evidently the
woman was the ruling spirit here.
Cro BE coNTINUED)
Do your work and your worth xiu |