The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-09-06

the window was protected by iron
bars, but they seemed hardly neces-
sary, for on looking out I noticed
that there was a perfectly sheer
descent not to the foot OF the
castle, but to the foot OF the rocky
eminence upon which the castle
was built. From below mounted
the roar OF the waterfall, and the
air of the evening seemed heavy
with a white mist.
paul brought up my portmanteau
and made myself as comfortable
as cound under the circumstances.
After three days travelling it was
delightful to be able to change my
clothes. Then fumbled down the
, winding staircase and Joined my
host In the dining hall.
San excellent dinner was served
to us by Paul. saw no other serv-
ant, and fancied that there was no
other occupant OF the castle except
our three selves.
~sAnd now he said, II you are
willing, I will show you the collec-
ton of documents OF which my faith
er was so proud. I shall not ask
you to look at much tonight. how
ever. for you must be tired. Tomor-
row we can go more fully into the
matter. and I shall also show you
more of the people over whom /
reign"
Certainly I replied. and II will
afford me the greatest interest Ny
confidence was by now more or less
restored, and I did In truth antici-
pate a pleasant day. However. I
thought II well to add. the day after
tomorrow you will no doubt be able
to drive me back to DielitzT
'He broke into his unpleasing
laugh. You have but Just arrived
he said: you must not make me
think I am so poor a host by speak
ing SO soon of your departure
may tell you there are not many
not being themselves Ziegeuners-
who have visited the Valensl<i castle
and returned in safety to their
homes"
"'what do you meanT did not
like his tone.
at wished he would not so cor
stantly refer 10 the unpleasant
habits Of his ancestors: 1t seemed
almost like a vefled threat
ACROSS the bare hall he LED me
once more. and then into a room
exactly opposite the one in which
L
way for a few moments surprised
and fIled with wonder. For the
room was furnished as lavishly as
any that had ever seen. Certain
" the decoration of II was bizarre
and extraordinary. but neverthe-
less, everything vas eXtravagantly
rich. Ny first impression was OF
dazzling light and blending colors.
II had been so dark in the hall. and
the torches and candles had but
feebly illuminated the room. Here
lamps, both of ancient and modern
form, appeared everywhere, and
they had all been LIT in andcipa-
ton Of our visit There was TO har-
mony OF color in the lamp shades,
nor in the tapestry on the wall nor
in the heavy drapery. East clashed
with west, billiant hues were
brohugt into direct contrast with
somber ones. The effect was pain
full to the eyes. The ceiling was a
mass OF quaint arabesques. A few
brilliantly colored pictures were
suspended from the walls. and
there were three OF four unframed
portraits suggestive OF unfinished
studies.
rValenski glanced at nv faes
surprised at thisT he said. sreen-
ing his hands round with an air Of
proprietorship.
After what I have seen OF IN.
other room?,
Yes" I replied.
There are times when lii.
my comfort he said. and Won
dered II he actually found comfort
IN that extraordinarily furnished
room. Also he continued, Il felt
~ due TO me to have one room, he
IittinE my position He has un-
oouotedly. very proud of the rank
ne held among his fellows.
One OF the portraits attracted
my attention. and I CROSSED the
room TO examine It. It represented
woman who combined in her face
an astonishing beauty and a repuk
slve ugliness. Can you imagine the
combination OF two dramatically
opposite qualities? I cannot define
u any nearer. but saw # in that
race. One moment said to myself
mat the face was loathsome. the
next I found myself murmurInr
How strangely beautiful she ISL
att is the work Of Zara, ssId
Nalenski. seeing the interest I was
taking in the picture. She Is a
cIeVer girl. She learned to paint
from one OF her relatives who IS
known in Germany and Austria as
the gypsy" He loves her, and
VIII probably accompany her and
her uncle to America
But who Is the original OF the
portrait" I asked. 1T is such an
extraordinary face
She is OF the vaienskfs' h.
replied, evasiveIy.
But alive% I persisted. with
unintentional rudeness. Something
about the face was go extraordi,
mary that 1 was impeIIed to speak
He shrugge' his shoulders. 'of
to-day and Of yesterday he an
swered. She has been dead. and
she is still alive She lived hun
dreds OF years ago. and she Lives
today