The Washington herald., 1916-02-07

bronze candelsbra, lighted with many
| candles, stood before the fire, but the
space was so vast that he could only
read the names OF the books Immediately
about him. These were a collection OF
French and German, Italian. Russian
and modern Greek poets.
He sat down. Ten o'clock struck from,
| tall Russian clock OF brass In the
! hall. He heard a tinkling sound at
his elbow. The lid of a small carved
| gold box on the table flew back and a
tiny enameled bird appeared. futtered
Its joInted gold and green wings, turned
its head from side to side, sang a little
! music-box song, disappeared. and the
| lid of the box shut again with a little
click priceless antique, thought the
Duke Probably made by the great
mechanician who worked so many years
on the marvellous clock at Strassburg
Those old fellows knew a thing or two.
After the birds song died away, there
was dead silence in the house. Even
the flames Of the fire semed to burn
noiselessly. He waited and waited, but
nobody came. Young as he was his
steady nerves became taut and he be-
gan to walk Testlessly up and down the
long length of the room. The carpets
were SO thick his footballs made no
sound. II was certainly eerie and mys-
terious. At the end of the room. near
the fireplace, there was a fantastically-
carved white and tarnished gilt door He
turned the brass knob, and entered a
much smaller apartment. 1t was mag
nifcent In panels and curtains OF tin
sci and blue brocade, but as cold as a
vault, which, indeed, temporarily it was
for an ebony CrucifX with a carven
ivory Christ stood between two silver
candlesticks and lighted a bier covered
NFit Ia al .t..s.N
yer. There were no flowers except n
little bunch of fresh field daisies. They
looked out of place and lonely amidst
all the msgnifcence.
The young duke lifted q corner OF
! the pail and beheld the delicate fea-
lures of a very young, dark man. His
hands were crossed on his breast, and
his face wore happy smile as IL he
| had died Unexpectedly and was still
| pleased with life. A sudden accident,
thought the duke. He covered the
| death face, replaced the daisies. which
had fallen to the floor. and re-enter-
ed the library. which now in compari-
| son to the death chamber seemed
quiet cheerful After another long
wait, the old man, looking gray and
sad, but stern and determined. en-
tered the room.
| Follow me, monsieur he said
And they ascended the wide flight of
stairs to the next floor, which was
better lighted. and at the end of a
long hall his escort opened a door.
and said: Enter, monsieur will
not see you again until morning
The boudoir, all flowers. and gay
! colors, seemed like a rose in bloom
after the rest OF the house. grand
piano was open with music upon it,
and beautiful Persian cat sat star
Ing in the fire as II it pondered on
the mutability of human life.
| AT first. the duke thought he was
alone. Then he heard a stred sob
, bing and saw on a rose-colored sofa
, in the deep window a girlish form
clothed in a long black gown trimmed
! in sable. Her face was covered by her
! pocket handkerchief which she held
In her white. trembling hands, spark
ling with rings Her hair, worn in
a crown of braids like Elizabeth of
Austria, was very bright. and he was
sure. without seeing her face, of her
beauty. How she wept, As IL she
could never stop.
He did not go near her at first lie
only said. in a voice that could be very
caressinS, Believe me, dear, madam
that l offer YOU my sympathy, and-lift
your face
After long time, the handkerchief
was withdrawn. but the tears still stream
ed down like summer rain. The duke
drew long breath 1t was the love.
liest face he had ever seen. Something
the strange situation or the crystal tears
or the overwhelming beauty OF the un.
known lady turned his impulsivc blood to
FIRE. lie crossed the room and knelt