The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-09-06

over Evelyns hand, brushing It With
my lips.
Wont you be back" she whis-
pered.
Il hope So" was my answer. "But
can't promise" I,
"Oh, what a trial It Is to have q
selfish unclel" she murmured as I
went.
Cameron led me through the H.
Drary, across the hall, and thence In
to his study, where he dove into
miniature book rack reserved for his
favorites After q moment of fruitless
search he said: &
1T isn't here. How stupid! took
1t upstairs week ago, remember.
1t Ia In my dressing room. Do you
mind coming up?"
Did l mind coming up? How glad
was to see him Interested He was
more like the old Cameron than he
had been at any time in the past sew
en- days. My golf prescription had
proved even more eficacious than I
had dared hope.
At the risk of being tedious I
must describe Cameron's dressing
room. 1t was not large-ppobably 20
feet sQuare-with three doors; one on
each Of the three sides. That which
admitted from the passageway faced
that which opened into the bath room.
On the left, the third door connected
with Cameron's bedchamber. On the
right were two windows, giving upon
an outside balcony. Between them
was a fireplace.
To the left Of the bath room door
was the entrance to huge closet,
guarded by heavy curtain Of old
rose velvet. To the right, was a sta
tionary wash-stand, and above 1t
rectangular mirror probably ten inch
es wide and foot long, and very
curiously framed. Across from this,
against the wall which divided the
room from the passage, was an enor-
nous chiffonier, or chest Of drawers.
In the rooms center was q round
table, on which rested reading
lamp. Between the table and the
fireplace was reclining chair. 9th
er chairs, three or four, were various
ly placed.
l have given these facts because
they are necessary to an intelligent
understanding Of what | am about to
relate. That in furnishing and adorn-
ment the room was plainly utilitari-
an is not SO material. But there Ia
one exception to this general declara-
tion which demands to be specified.
The mirror above the wash.stand pos.
sessed distinction quite aside from
It's practical utility. This was by no
means the first time | had seen 1t.
Cameron had showed 1t to me, with
degree Of pride, early In our ac-
quaintance, explaining that 1t was at
once relic and an heirloom. Orig
inally the property Of Nell Gwynne,
1t had descended to him through
three or four generations of maternal
ancestors.
The glass was framed In colored
beadwork, to which were attached
wax figures In high relief: at the top,
miniature portrait Of Charles II. in
his state robes; at the bottom, one
of Nell herself, In court dress. The
king appeared also on the right, in
hunting costume, and on the left was
another figure of his favorlte in less
ornamental garb. According to the
legend which accompanied this In
teresting antique, 1t was Nell
GWynnes own handiwork
1t possessed for me certain faS-
cination due more to its history than
its beauty, for 1t was not the most
artistic Of creations, and as Cameron
poked about for his Baudelalres I
stood gazing at the glass and think
ing Of all | had ever read Of the IL
literate, but saucy, sprightly actress
whose sole claim to fame hung on her
winning the favor Of that easy-going,
royal hypocrite, Charles II.
Heres the blnding!" heard Cam
eron say, and turned from the mirror
to the table, where he had found his
sought-for treasure beneath q pile Of
heavier, grosser works.
you know something Of book.
binding" he went on, with enthusi.
Rsm. Nov examine that carefully,
and tell me II you ever saw anything
more exquisite. had 1t done In Lon
don, last year. It's a copy Of one Of
Le Gascon's."
At first sight 1t seemed all glitter
ing gold, but on closer inspection I
found that the groundwork was bright
red morocco, inlaid with buff, olive,
and marble leather, the spaces close
ly filled with very delicate and beau.
tiful pointllle traceries. It was a YER
table gem in It's way, and I could not
blame Cameron for his raptures,
When l had applauded and be-
praised to his content, he took the lit
tie volume from my hand and open
Ing 1t, with sort OF slow reverence,
observed with something like patron
ism:
I'm afraid you don't quite under
stand Baudelaire."
Does anybody" / flung back.
"He Is not 30 obscure as his critics
would have US believe" Cameron as