The Washington herald., 1912-03-03

her mead, and the veil which was at
tached to II thoroughly hid her face
from my inquisitive eyes. / rose to
sitting posture, and spoke to her.
What is itf ! asked What can
j do for you to aid you7'
The figure turned upon me. One
arm was slowly raised and delicate
hand lifted the floating gauze from be-
fore the shadowy features. ] saw a
face of the most ravishing beauty that
my eyes had ever gazed upon. II was
pale-oh, so palel And the expression
was that OF the most intense sadness. /
noticed tear drops upon the rounded
cheeks.
"'Ah, me, woe is me came a deli
cately modulated voice. 'Ah, me my
sorrow is overwhelming
"As the sound of her voice died
away, she glided silently toward the
doorway leading to the connecting
room. As she did 50, | again heard
that exquisite music which had so en-
trahced me a few nights before. A
great swell OF harmony filed the cham
Der with its magic. The voices of altar
boys were plainly heard, and the deep
vibrations OF an organ welled through
the silence of the night. The figure
passed through the other room, crossed
the carpeted floor, and entered the sane
ttiary, from which a peculiarly brilliant
and dazzling light was emanating.
Hastily rising from my Nbed. put
on a wrapper and hurried into my
paid's room. The soft music still came
from the direction of the sanctuary, but,
as ! drew near the doorway, II ceased.
The light grew more dim, and when
opened the oaken door and gazed in
side. il was extinguished. ! could see
no one there.
Returning to my own chamber, 1
hastily lighted a candle and returned
10 the sanctuary. My taper gave an ex-
cellent glow, but, as l looked into the
narrow confines of the place of wor-
ship, ! saw nothing absolutely nothing.
Filled with the strangest of thoughts, l
slipped into my own bed and proceeded
to read my novel.
HT had not been long there Before /
again became conscious that there was
some one in my room. have fire.
quently seen persons of my own sex
who became conscious of the presence
of a cat even though they had not seen
il. A, peculiar tingling or contraction
of the nerves was always indicative of
the nearness OF such an ANIMAL and,
some one was in the room, mean that
experienced very much the same kind
of shock to my nervous system. But
II was no disagreeable sensation, as is
characteristic of the other kind of ner-
vous telegraphy; on the contrary, il was
a decidedly pleasant sensation. | felt
an agreeable surprise, such as one would
experience when meeting very suddenly
with a person for whom he had great
affection, and naturally / again looked
mp from my book and was fully pre-
pared to have my eyes rest for the Sec
ond time upon the charming features
and form of the veiled lady. Such,
however, was not 10 be the case. In
stead, / was much startled on seeing
the form of huge man clad in full
suit OF armor.
The figure was standing near the
door TO the second room and was look
ing intently at the door of the sane
tuary Here was a well-built knight
with broad shoulders and massive
frame His armor was of the most ex-
pensive make, his breast-plates shons
with silvery luster, his greaves were
chiseled with the most exquisite care;
in one hand he held long sword, which
-glittered in the Pickering candle light.
a heinieI, too, was clasped on his head,
the visor Of which was down, and a
long white plume hung in a sweeping
curve from the top.
II am not too well acquainted with
the arms and insignia of the past CEN
turies. nor have l studied the intricacies
of this interesting time, but had sufh-
cient knowledge of the peerage to recog-
nize some OF the marks of rank which
this knight presented He was
Scotchman; that was apparent from the
kind OF arn,or which he wore. He was
of certain clan; that was apparent
from the eagle carved upon the helmet.
He was knight; that was evident from
the hllet around the crown of the heavy
iron cap He was man of wealth
that was apparent from the fine tex
.ture OF the chain armor on his legs and
arms.
"As gazed intently at the figure it
turned and looked toward me. The face
was noble one, apparently of thirty