Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-02-09

slowly to q growing menow spIenuur
OF light. have often watched the
acolytes in dim cathedrals OF the Old
World set countless candles ablaze on
magnificent altars.-alwavs with awe
for the beauty Of the spectacle. but
In this unknown house the austere
serving man summoned from the shad-
ows lovlier and more bewildering en-
chantment. Youth alone, Of beautiful
things is lovelier than light
The lines OF the wall receded as the
light Increased, and the raftered cell
ing drew away, Turing the eyes up
ward. | rose with smothered ex-
clamation on my lips and stared about,
gnatching of my hat in reverence as
the spirit of the place wove its spell
about me. Everywhere there were
books; they covered the walls to the
ceiling, with only long French win
dows and an enormous fireplace break
ing the line. Above the fireplace a
massive dark oak chimney breast
further emphasized the grand scale of
the room From every conceivable
place-from shelves built for the pur-
pose, from brackets that thrust out
long arms among the books, from a
great crystal chandelier suspended
from the ceiling, and from the breast
of the chimney-innumerab candles
blazed with dazzling brilliancy. ex-
claimed in wonder and pleasure as
Bates paused, his sorcerer's wand in
hand.
Mr.. Glenarm was very fond of can
delight; he liked to gather up candle
| sticks, and his collection IS very fine.
He often called this The House of a
Thousand Candles There's only about
a hundred here; but it was one of his
conceits that when the house was fin.
| ished there would be thousand lights.
| He had quite joking way, your grand
| father. II suited his humor to call it a
thousand He enjoyed his own pleas
antries, sir"
Il fancy he did" replied, staring in
/! bewilderment.
| "Oil lamps might be more suited to
your own taste, sir. But your grand
/, father would not have them. Old brass
| and copper were specialties with him.
and he had particular taste, Mr.. Glen
arm had, in glass candle-sticks. He
held that the crystal was most effec-
tive of all, III go and let in the bag.
gageman and then serve you some sap
! per-.
He went -somberly out and / exam.
| ined the room with amazed and de
1;oh n
half as wide. The hardwood floor was
covered with handsome rugs; every
piece of furniture was quaint or inter-
esting. Carved in the heavy oak panel
ing above the fireplace, in large Old
English letters was the inscription:
Che Spirit Of man Is the Candle Of the Cerd
and on either side great candelabra
sent long arms across the hearth. All
the books seemed related to architec
ture; German and French works stood
side by side among those by English
and American authorities. l found
archaeology represented in a division
where all the titles were Latinsor Ital
ian. | opened several cabinets that
contained sketches and drawings, all
| in careful order; and in another found
an elaborate card catalogue, evidently
the work of practiced hand. The
minute examination was too much for
me; | threw myself into great chair
that might have been spoil from a
cathedral, satisfied to enjoy the gen
eral effect. To find an apartment so
handsome and so marked by good
taste in the midst of an Indiana wood
staggered me. | was so lost in con
temptation that | did not hear a door
open behind me. The respectful,
mournful voice of Bates announced:
There's a bite ready for you, sir.
| followed him through the hall to a
small high-walnscoted room where a
table was simply set
This is what Mr.. Glenarm called
the refectory. He took his own meals
here. The library was the main thing
with him. He never lived to finish the
house,-more's the pity, sir. He would
have made something very handsome
of 1t if he'd had few years more. But
he hoped, sir, that you'd see it com
| pleted. The work was near his heart,
| sir"
Yes, to be sure" l replied.
| He brought cold fowl and a salad,
| and produced a bit of Stilton of UNI
| mistakable authenticity.
| 81 trust the ale is cooled to your lik
| ing. It's your grandfather's favorite,
if may say it, sir"
I | liked the fellows humility. He
| - TIT T II d