The Dolores star., 1910-02-04
CHAPTER 1.

Since Tempest had shut himself up
In Craven he had added to rather than
diminished his popularity. He re-
fused to be further lionized: either
Gmid or wise in the white heat of his
fame's fame. he ran away Rather
than watch his fame fall to ash. or
fearful that its tense heat would harm
him? For neither reason. He was
not thinking Of London, or his public,
he was thinking of himself.
In Craven. whilst immured. he was
~ well delightfully."- at large. The
castle itself was prison, standing, as
1t did, IL miles from any railway.
dominating, as it did. the entire coun-
ty Of shire. Craven was fortress
for the writer's hours of labor-a
pleasure-garden for his leisure. But
on this occasion he had not come to
1t for the sympathetic atmosphere 1t
extended to his work. Craven was not
to offer in this sojourn any of its
aforetime tonic-nor was 1t demanded
that 1t should suggest a new theme. or
even cradle an old idea. Mr.. Tempest,
q solitary inhabitant of his study.
asked a new balm Of his retreat-it
must be a panacea.
ut should be-" he said aloud as he
replaced a book in the shelves and
found another. "a padded cell"
Into the great bow window whose
squares of glass let in the whole wide
country sweep to his eyes-once a
veritable lovers eyes for this English
nature. whose graces and beauties
Tempest had made to live and bloom
in his book till all England echoed his
muse-into the bowed windows his
housekeeper daily cleverly drew the
writing-table. Tempest many times
before it had seen hour after hour slip
away, until, exhausted yet supremely
content, he had risen, aching in every
limb, the pile Of manuscript grown at
his hand. his work done, and he him
self free and buoyant as only the
creator can be before his self-appoint-
ed task. But writing materials re-
NAMED these days untouched.
November had almost gone, and the
drear baroness Of the landscape, al
though not yet despoiled Of LEAKAGE.
was hidden on this afternoon by a
mist full of rain. Tempest had the
extent of blank gloom before him as
he faced it by the window. leaning
against his workable. his back to the
room. Something of the leaden quail
ity of the outside reflected itself in his
countenance. But he had not time to
follow his meditations to their end.
for rap on the door fell once-was re-
peated. then the door opened and his
housekeeper came in.
not stir.
She waited a moment. then ad-
vanced: II beg your pardon. sir"
After another silence he blurted
out:
We'll! What for, pray? II you
have any good reason to break in on
me, Henly, you will give it."
I've disobeyed you, sir"
I'D rather forgive you than hear
about it-don't do 1t again."
Il won't indeed, sir. but"
Tempest turned reluctantly to the
intruder She said "Oh," involunts Il
ly as she caught sight of his face: tie
last hour had ravaged it. Her evil
dent affection, not her sympathy, mod
flied his mood
What the devil have you done?" he
asked, not unkindly "It can't be
worse than coming here to me after
my express injunctions"
TITS worse, sir" she nodded: I've
let in a lady"
She breathed freer with the whole
confession of her crimes enormity.
Tempest's surprise was as sharp as
his displeasure. "A lady-you're
dotty!"
She pleaded, "I couldn't help It, Mr..
Basil-she had walked from Craven
ford-to see you. sir-and hadn't the
heart"
"Come!" he exclaimed furiously.
'T am not to be obeyed then, Henly?
/ see plainly you are taken advantage
of-of-I mean to say you're astound-
ing! give orders to leave me in
peace, to refuse my doors; to keep my
mail, my dispatches. away. and you
admit God knows whom and for what
purpose at your pleasure"
She let him fume, and her patient.
gentle bearing of his detestable humor
made him ashamed What for. pray?''
II don't know. SIR" she said humbly
II couldn't say no-somehow. She
begged for a moment-she had walked
the IL miles and she says she must
foot 1t back. It's late, too"
"She has a notebook? OF course!"
She's a pretty hat on and a long
dark coat, and she is 30 lovely. Mr.
Basil. that ="
She finished subtly-and triumphed