The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-11


 the place where mighty pasty rose, a brown masterpiece of bakers art. In the midst of my joy at beholding such a feast the truth gradually dawned on me that of the three people for whom that banquet was spread two would never touch the meat nor taste the pleasant wine.
 Behind each chair stood a servant dressed in an antique short coat, long silken hose and pointed shoes Noiselessly, solemnly, they served Henry Arsigyn and his two fantom guests.
 The portions they placed upon the mas ter's plate he merely tasted, and at his gesture they removed the dish and brought another. This again was served to all three, and yet once more the untouched food was carried away. The servitors ex- changed no glances of mockery behind the masters back. Very seriously they carved the food nd poured the fine wine for the living and the dead
 I turned once more to the servants be- hind me. They saw me not, they heard me not, they were lost in the strange dumb show which was enacted before them. One of them absently tried to brush away my hand before he reclled himself and an- swered my question: "You see-yes-once a year it is done this way. Once year he dimes alone with the two empty chairs. You see how it is."
 He stopped and brushed hand across his forehead, and I saw that he was white with fear. l, also, was shaken, until it came to me that even though Henry Ansigny were mad, his madness was surely most harmless. l started forward into the room Instantly the two servitors were slinging to my arms and tugging back while they whispered: "If he sees you he will kill you! Come back!'
 It was too late to retreat Arsigny. reused from his dreams by the noise. started up nd whirled with the dagger half drawn beneath his hand How the light on that naked steel dazzled mel
 He said in terrible voice: "What's here? You dogs, have you forgotten"
 Then he saw me and knew me, for his hand fell to his side and the dagger dropped home in the sheath with a little clang, yet still I wished myself far from that room.
 "This is the night you named for me to come," l said. 'I see, however, that it will inconvenience you, and I shall only stay, MT. Arsigny, to bid you good evening""
 He answered: 'This is the night I had forgotten" And to the servants Clay an- other place."
 It was instantly prepared, and I sat down opposite my host with as much of tremor as if he had truly been medieval baron, and I the meanest of his serfs. At first I cast about frantifally for some means of opening the talk, but Arcigny, once more seated, stared with bent head at the board and paid me no heed.
 The meal went on. The seemingly end less courses appeared and were removed. I could not taste the food nor move my eyes a single instant from the face of the mas- ter of the house. Chance brought the opening which could not make.
 It was a festival time in tn evillage, and as we sat at the table procession passed down the street outside, riotous crowd of happy peasants. Their laughter ran into that gloomy room and filled every corner of it if with sunshine and the happiness of life.
 Arsigny raised his head slowly and his eyes quickened. The procession passed on and last of all we heard the chorus of sing ing girls. After that the noise of the carni- val died away as quickly as it had begun, but Arsigny, with his gentle smile, leaned toward me.
 He said: "You are a lover of flowers, my friend, and therefore you may under stand what may tell you"
 He touched his crimson cap and velvet mantle.
 "Of course, you are curious at seeing me in such ceremonial robes, are you not?