Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1910-06-10
CHAPTER i.

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
trmid or wise in the white heat of his
fame's flame. 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
as well delightfully."- at large. The
castle itself was prison, standing, as
1t did, 10 miles from any railway,
dominating, as 1t 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 it
extended to his work. Craven was not
to offer in this sojourn any of its
aforetime tonic-nor was it demanded
that 1t should suggest newitheme, or
even cradle an old idea. Mr.. Tempest,
solitary inhabitant of his study.
asked a new balm of his retreat-it
must be panacea,
1T 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.
manned 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 te
follow his meditations to their end
for a rap on the door fell once-was re
peated. then the door opened and his
housekeeper came in.
y beg pardon, Mr.. Basil" He did
not stir.
She waited a moment, then ad
vanced: Il beg your pardon. SIR"
After another silence he blurted
out:
well? What for, pray? If 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 it again"
4 won't indeed, sir, but"
Tempest turned reluctantly to the
intruder. She said oh" involuntari
~ as she caught sight OF his face: the
last hour had ravaged 1t. Her evi
dent affection. not her sympathy, mod
flied his mood.
What the devil have you done?" he
asked. not unkindly. 1T can't be-
worse than coming here to me after
my express injunctions,"
TITS worse. sir" she nodded: 1--WE
let in lady"
She breathed freer with the whole
confession of her crimes enormity.
Tempest's surprise was as sharp al
mis- displeasure. "A lady-you're
dotty!"
She pleaded. 81 couldn't help 1t, MIR
| Basil-she had walked from Craven
ford-to see you, strand / hadn't the
heart"
"Comel" he exclaimed furiously
Il 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 humol
made him ashamed. What for, pray?'
II don't know. SIR" abe said humbly
II couldn't say no-somehow. She
begged for q moment-she had walked
the IL miles and she says she mus
foot Il back. It's late, too"
+She has a notebook? OF course!'
'She's q pretty hat on and q long
dark coat, and she Is 30 lovely, Mr
Basil, that f."
She finished subtly-and triumphed
for her master slightly smiled. "It'l