Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-06-14
Continued in Tomorrow's Starr

There was something about his
\ manner which forbade any further
questioning on Wrayson's part. The
| two men sat together in silence. and
Wrayson, although not of a curious
| turn of mind, began to feel more
| than an ordinary interest in his COM
ticular. Although. as the sun sank
lower, the beauties of the landscape
below increased. Duncan's eyes scarce
ly for moment rested upon them.
He had turned his chair a little. and
he sat directly facing, the chateau.
glass windows of the gray church
rising like a cathedral, as 1t were. in
the midst of the daffodil-starred
meadows. caught now with the food
of the dying sunlight mingled SO har-
moniously with their own time mel-
lowed richness. the increasing per-
fume of the flowers by which they
were surrounded-none of these
things seemed for one moment to dis
tract his attention. Steadily and fix
ed1y he gazed up that deep green ave-
nue.. empty indeed of any moving
object, and yet seemingly not empty
to him. For he had the air of one
who sees beyond the world of visible
objects, of one who sees things dim.
med to those of only natural powers.
With what figures, Wrayson wonder
ed, idly, was he peopling that empty
avenue. what were the fancies which
had crept out from his brain and held
him spellbound? He had admitted
with the place: was he, perhaps.
former lover of the baroness, when
she had been simply Amy de st.
Etarpe? Wrayson forgot. for a while.
mild speculations. The soft twilight
stole down upon them; here and there
little patches of gray mist came curl
ing up the valley. A bat came flying
about their heads and Wrayson at
last rose.
II shall take a stroll" he remarked.
land turn in. Good night, if I don't
see you again."
The man named Duncan turned his
head.
wrayson walked down the garden
and passed through a wicket-gate into
The broad white road. Setting his
back to the village. he came. in few
minutes, to the great entrance gate
Of the chateau. hung from massive
stone pillars of great age, and them
selves fashioned of intricate and Curl
ously wrought ironwork. The gates
themselves were closed fast, and the
smaller ones on either side, intended
for pedestrians. were fastened with
paddock. Wrayson stood for a mo-
ment looking through the bars into
the park. The drive ran for half
mile perfectly straight. and then, TAX
ing an abrupt bend. passed upward
into the woods, amongst which was
what do you want?" an abrupt
voice demanded.
wrayson looked round in surprise.
A man in gamekeepers clothes had
issued from the lodge. carrying a gun.
III narrniffa6 fOr the nnh1ic tn onfor
the park"
by no means" was the surly an
swer. Cannot monsieur see that the
gates are locked?"
the Lion dor" Wrayson said, that
the villagers were allowed the privi-
lege of walking in the park"
The man looked at him suspiciously.
You are not of the village" he said.
II am staying there" Wrayson an
swered.
1T makes nothing. For the pres
emit. villagers and every one are for
hidden to enter. There are visitors
at the chateau"
Wrayson turned away.
VERY WELL" he said, Good night!'
The man did not answer him. Wray-
son continued to climb the hill which
skirted the park. He did not turn round.
but he heard the gates open. and he
was convinced that he was being
kept on, however. until he came to
some more iron gates. from which
stretched the grass avenue which led
straight to the gardens of the cha
teau. Dimly, through the gathering
dusk, he caught view of it, which
was little more than an impression;
silver gray and quiet with the peace
which the centuries can bring. it
seemed to him, with its fantastic
towers and imperfectly visible out
line. like a palace of dreams rather
than a dwelling house. however mag
nificent of material stone and brick.
An owl few out from the trees q
few yards to the left of him, and
drifted slowly over his head. with
soft call. family answered in the dis
lance by his mate; from far away
down in the valley came the slow
ringing of a single evening bell. Save
for these things. a silence almost
| wonderful reigned. Gradually Wray-
son began to feel that sense OF sooth-
ed nerves, OF inexpressibie relief.
which Nature alone. dispenses-har
-