The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-17

(Continued.)
 The Silver Lady on her own part also wished for silence. as she looked for the effect on her new companion when the glory of the view should break upon her. When they had climp- ed the winding stone stair, whicn leo up some twenty feet, there was 10" wide landing with the remains or the main shaft of the mill machinery run ming through It. From one side roso stone stair curving with the outer wall of the mill tower and guardeu py q heavy plain iron rail. dozen steps there were. and then landing of a couple of yards square; then deep doorway cut in the thickness or the wall. round which the winding stair continued. x
 The Silver Lady, who had led thu way. threw open the door, and motion ed to her guest to enter. Inside the door stephen stood for few moments. surprised as we'll as delighted. for the room before her was not like any, thing which she <had ever seen or thought of.
 tower. and was of considerable size. for the machinery and even the inner shaft or pillar had been removed. East and south and west the wall had been partially cut away so that great wide windows nearly the full height of the room showed the magnificent panorama. The work had been done carefully; the massive depth of the wall was bevelled away, and angular columns of polished stone with the fine edges inwards so as to make the effect as aerial as possible. supported the vast weight of the superstructure. Tn the depths of the ample windows were little cloistered hooks where one might, with feeling of super r-solitude be away from and above the world.
 The room was beautifully furnished with pieces of all ages and countries Everywhere were flowers. with leaves and sprays and branches where possi- ble. On a little Chippendale tahle near the centre of the room was a great Queen Anne silver bowl full of magnificent sweet-smelling roses.
 Even from where she stood in the doorway Stephen had bird's-eyc view of the whole countryside; not only of the coast, with which she was already familiar, and on which her windows at the castle looked. but tn the south and west which the hill ris- ing steep behind the castle and to the southward of 1t shut out
 The Silver Lady could not but mo- tice her guests genuine admiration
 Thou likest my room and my vjew?" stephen answered with little gasp:
 T think 1t is the quaintest and most beautiful place l have ever seen"
 T am so glad thou lilxest 1t. have lived here for nearly forty years: and they have been years of unutterahlc peace and all earthly happinessi And now, thou wilt have some teaH'
 stephen left the mill that afternoon with warmth of heart that she had been stranger to for many a day. The two women had accepted each other simply. T am called Ruth." said the Silver Lady. And I am Stephen" said the Countess de T4annoy In reply. And that was all; neither had any clue to the others identity stephen felt that some story lay be- hind that calm, sweet personality. The Quaker lady moved so little out of her own environment that she did not even suspect the identity of her visitor.
 It was not long before Stephen avail- ed herself of the permission to come again accorded to her at her first vis- it. This time she made up her mind to tell who she was, lest the conceal ing of her identity might afterwards leads to any awlkwardness. At that meeting friendship became union. -'
 The natures of the two women ex- banded to each other: and after very few meetings there was estab- Hshed between them a rare confidence.
 The Silver lady never left the chosen < routine of her own life; but it became 9 habit for Stephen to ride or walk . over to the windmill fin the dusk of the evening when she felt especially lone- lvi On one such occasion her domin- ant feeling surged up within her pain- fully. It was the summer time. when all natures forces are awake and clam ant. It was far in the twilight. and there was a stiffness over all the world which made in itself 8 yearning for peace. We'll. in the weary months that had gone, had poor Stephen learned to school herself to quietude; but the outward calm could not still the raging incessant desire within, What she desired she knew not. Some such moments they are which make for self-destruction; for the sudden yielding up of self which leaves no opportunity of going back. The ooze of the river and the fast-shut eloister door hold such memories.