The Washington herald., 1910-08-07

shutters closed over the windows, and
deeply-hoOded door
Mr.. Dingley gave the bell handle
vigorous pull. but not the faintest tinkle
re-echoed through the interior. We wait
ed. There wasn't a sound OF any one
inside approaching through the hall. I
was fully prepared to be admitted by the
same unseen agency that had moved the
gate But when, quite suddenly, the door
opened, I was aware of a figure. very
dimly seen in the gloom of the hall We
were allowed 10 enter without a ques-
ton. without a word; and as quickly as
the door closed upon US. After the broad
sunlight the hall seemed so dark, I could
but sense high ceilings and hanging
draperies above my head. and feel be-
meath my feet the soft depth of a carpet.
All that my eyes could distinguished
was the little white gliramer Of Mr..
Dingley's card as he handed II TO the
person who had opened the door.
We were led through several rooms; but
either they were interior rooms with.
out windows or else the windows were
closely mumed, for they were so dark
could hardly find my way. But when
ut last our conductor drew back a cur
tain. a tempered light streamed upon
US. and showed me that the cornices Of
the ante-room where we were standing
We're gilded. that the carpet which l was
crushing under my feet was the color of
wine, and every fold OF the velvet cur
tain where IL took the light like a ruby.
The servant holding il back, was
strange creature. with a tightly closed
mouth. and eyes that looked as If he
kept them open only crack to see out
! Of. but not on any account to let any
one peep In. He waved at the room in
! front Of us, and then, still silent as an
apparition, returned, disappearing into
the gloom through which he had come,
| carrying Mr.. Dingley's card with him.
I followed Mr.. Dingley into the great
apartment, which I thought must be the
sala Of the house, and sat down in the
midst Of its magnifcence.
Il was a strange contrast to the neg
lect of the garden without; and to my
eyes it was novel in character. There
were dark portraits i'm old gold frames
on the wall; curtains shutting out all
| light, but the faintest and most colored: .
mirrors multiplying the tapestries and
marble statues. and seeming TO extend
the very walls of the room itself I kept
catching glimpses OF figures standing in
these delusive vistas, and then, with a
start. realizing they were but myself
Presently the servant returned. / saw
multiple images Of him advancing upon
me from all sides as II to surround me-
They filtered. disappeared and the real
presence bowed.
''The Sonora wishes to say she is too
III TO descend TO the sala. viii the Sc
norita graciously come up-stairs?"
Mr.. Dingley turned TO me. That's
about as I expected, Then I viii wait
for you here"
Involuntary I took hold Of his coat
But you said I shouldn't go alone!"
"Oh. Of course. of course" he smiled
Il meant I'd come with you to the house
That's one matter But to so upstairs
that's hardly possible, Don't you See
Miss Ellie he lowered his voice. its
quite probable this is just ruse to get
rid Of me? She would hardly want 10
speak before third party"
The reminder that the Spanish woman
was going TO speak, and the probable
ity Of what that speech might mean was
enough TO make me relinquish Mr. Ding
leys coat. and send me in the wake OF
the serving-man with almost a light
heart
He led me out Of the sala, not by the
curtainod way through which we had