Evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1907-1913, 1912-09-06
CONTINUED from yesterday


selfish uncle!" she murmured as
went
Cameron led me through the II.
brary, across the hall. and thence in
to his Estudy, where he dove into a
miniature book rack reserved for his
favorites. After moment of fruitless
search he said:
ut isn't here. How stupid! l took
it upstairs a week ago, l remember
1t Is 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 etficacious than
had dared hope.
At the risk Of being tedious I
must describe Cameron's dressing
room. 1t was not large-probably 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 We're two windows, giving upon
an outside balcony. Between them
was a fireplace
To the left of the bath room door
was the entrance to a huge closet,
guarded by heavy curtain Of old
rose velvet. To the right, was sta
tionary Wash-stand, and above it q
rectangular mirror, probably ten inch
es wide and a foot long, and very
euriously 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 a round
lamp. Between the table and the
Fireplace was a reclining chair. 9th
er chairs, three or four, were various
ly placed.
I have given these facts because
they are necessary to an intelligent
understandings Of what l am about to
relate. That in furnishing and adorn-
4nent the room was plainly utilitari-
an is not so material But there is
one exception to this general declara-
ton which demands to be specified.
The mirror above the wash-stand pos
sessed a distinction quite aside from
its practical utility. This was by no
means the first time | had seen it.
Cameron had showed it to me, with a
degree Of pride, early in our ac-
Quaintance, explaining that it was at
once a relic and an heirloom. Orig
inally the property of Nell Gwynne,
it 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,
a miniature portrait of Charles II. in
his state robes; at the bottom, one
CT Nell herself, in court dress. The
king appeared also on the right, in
hunting costume, and on the left was
another figure of his favorite in less
ornamental garb. According to the
legend which accompanied this in
teresting antique, it was Nell
Gwynnes own handiwork.
1t possessed for me certain fas-
cination due more to its history than
its beauty, for it was not the most
artistic Of creations, and as Cameron
poked about for his Baudelaire,
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.
Here's the binding!" I heard Cam
eron say, and turned from the mirror
to the table, where he had found his
sought-for treasure beneath a pile of
heavier. grosser works.
you know something Of book
binding he went on. with enthusi-
asm. "Now examine that carefully,
and tell me if you ever saw anything
more exquisite. had 1t done in Lon
don, last year. It's copy of one Of
lie Gascon s"
At first sight 1t seemed all glitter.
ing gold. but on closer inspection
found that the groundwork was bright
red MOROCCO, inlaid with buff, olive,
and marble leather. the spaces close
~ filled with very delicate and beau
tiful poiqtille traceries. It was YER
liable gem in its way, and 1 could not
blame Cameron for his raptures.
When ] had applauded and be-
praised to his content. he took the lit
tie volume from my hand and open
ing it, with sort Of slow reverence,
observed with something like patron
ism:
I'm afraid you don't quite under
stand Baudelare"
Does anybody?" I flung back.
He is not so obscure as his critics
would have US believe" Cameron as
serted "Sit down in that longing
chair a moment, and III read you
something" And as I obeyed, he
drew up d chair for himself, speaking
ali the While in denunciation Of Toll
stoi and the injustice Of his criticism.
One poefA cutter another he read.
wfilc Ia back listening To his
Exusnx..s+5 -~' H&@~