Part 28 (1/2)

”That is it,” he cried with joy

”Yes, that is it, indeed,” said avoice behind him

He looked around, and beheld an old er hissed; ”that is the Cathedral of Strasburg”

He was shocked He effaced the design on the sand

He began again

”There it is,” he again exclaiht

”Yes,” chuckled the old man ”That is the Cathedral of Amiens”

The architect effaced the picture on the sand, and produced another

”Metz,” said the old man

He made yet another effort

”Antwerp!”

”Oarchitect, ”you n for me yourself”

”On one condition”

”Naive hted architect began to say his prayers, and the old man suddenly disappeared

The next day he wandered into a forest of the Seven Mountains, still thinking of his plan He chanced to look up the ain; he was now leaning on a staff on a rocky wall

He lifted his staff and began to draw a picture on a rock behind hirand, how glorious, it all was!

[Illustration: THE MYSTERIOUS ARCHITECT]

Fretwork, spandrels, and steeples It _was_--it _was_ the very design that had haunted the poor architect, that flitted across his mind in dreams but left no memory

”Will you have my plan?” asked the old man

”I will do all you ask”