Evening star., 1927-10-12
WORLD-FAMOUS STORIES
BY SIR WALTER SCOTT.
THE TAPESTRIED CHAMBER

(Sir Walter Scott 1771-1s32. was Scot
tsn novels, aRd the Ns
'.The Taiisman Quentin .Durward, etc
Among his longer poems the hest known
are The Lady of the Lake and Marmion. ,
Gen. Browne, returned from the
American War of the Revolution, was
touring the western counties of Eng
land when, in a small town, he was
attracted by the turrets OF an old
castle. Delighted with the partial
glimpses of the castle. he determined
to inquire whether it might contain
pictureS or relics worthy OF
strangers visit He learned to his
surprise that the proprietor of the
castle was none other than Lord
Woodville, friend of his school and
college days. And you may be sure
that Gen. Browne was warmly wei
coined by his old friend, although he
was entertaining a large party on
the opening of this. castle for his resi-
dence.
.sWe can give you a comfortable,
old-fashioned room, said Lord Wood
vile, 'and I venture to say that your
campaigns have taught you to be glad
Of worse quarters.
The general shrugged his shoulders
and laughed and gladly accepted his
friendly hosts accommodation and
proposals Of the most generous hospi-
tality.
The day at Woodville Castle ended
as usual in such mansions. The hos
pitality stopped within the limits of
good order. Not long after IL o'clock
the guests began to retire to their
several apartments. The young lord
himself conducted his friend, Gen.
Browne, to the chamber destined for
him. which answered the description
he had given oft, being comfortable
but old-fashioned. The bed was OF
the massive form used in the end of
the seventeenth century and the cur
tains of faded silk, heavily trimmed
with tarnished gold. There was an
air of gloom in the tapestry hangings
which curtained the walls.of the little
chamber and pattered and whistled
as the air gained entrance. But moth
ing could blaze more brightly and
cheerfulIy than the two large wax
candles or the flaming fagots in the
chimney that sent at once their gleam
and warmth through the snug apart
ment.
The general looked around him, and.
congra tulating himself on his return
to peaceful life, undressed himself
and prepared for a luxurious nights
rest.
The next morning the company
assembled for breakfast at an early
hour, but without the appearance OF
Gen. Browne, who seemed the guest
that Lord Woodvilie was desirous OF
honoring above all others. He more
than once expressed surprise at the
generals absence and finally. sent a
servant TO inquire for him. The man
returned to say that Gen. Browne had
been walking abroad since an early
hour that morning. in defiance of the
weather, which was misty and uncon-
genial.
1.-The custom of soldier" said Lord
Woodville. But the young nobleman
was not So easy in his own mind as
his words implied. He awaited with
impatience the return of the general,
which occurred nearly an hour after
the breakfast bell had rung.
The general looked fatigued and
feverish. His clothes were huddled
on with careless negligence and his
looks were haggard and CHASTITY in a
peculiar degree.
How did you rest last night?" asked
Lord Woodville.
Every WE'LL Never better in my
life" replied the general hastily, yet
with an air of embarrassment. He
then said that he was leaving Wood.
vile Castle Immediately.
Lord Woodville was much aston
ished. He had expected his friend tQ
stay a week at least, from their con.
:ersatlnn the evening before. What
could have happened to alter the gen.
erals plans? At the first opportunity
the young nobleman drew his friend
aside TO question him privately.
How did you in reality rest during