The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-15

"Poor Grannie! She was up all night
with the child, and she's sound asleep
now. And Elias gone to cut grass"
"I'll open the gate. Grannie shan't be
walked" cried Margery, springing to her
feet and going, with the bast still over
her shoulders, to the gate. These Ar
ries ring such tremendous peals, enough
10 wake tie dead"
She unhasped and opened wicket IN
the gate, disclosing in the shadow of the
yaulted gateway two men, one with "a
cigarette in his mouth.
"Can we see the castle?" he asked, in
well-toned voice, removing the Gig
arctic TO speak and replacing it.
Certainly she replied, step in"
The young man stepped in, followed
by his companion, also young. Margery
closed the wicket behind them, and re-
sumed her seat and her occupation,
while the two men stood just inside and
looked round them, seeing in the fore
ground Rosalind, leaning pensively OH
her broom, but no longer whistling
with the broken walls of gray stone, the
little modern Tudor house, through an
open window of which the remains of
q frugal luncheon could be seen, and
the distant keep for a background
Full sunshine threw her face iuto
shadow and lit up the faces Of the two
men. The first was dark and tall, with
q beautiful, close-shaven face; he wore a
soft felt hat with n pinched crown and
slightly sweeping brim, the belted tunic
Al a.. 1AI fglI
packet, and knickerbockers of thinner
and more clinging stuff than is usual.
Slightly and straightly built, and wear
ing stockings that disclosed the real
shape of the leg, instead of exaggerat-
ing the too great thickness character
istic of English limbs, he made grace
full, and, by contrast with others, even
picturesque figure: his movements were
graceful, there was suggestion OF
knightly charm in his whole bearing.
His friend was of sturdier build, with
gray eyes and light brown hair; he was
AN inch or two shorter than his COM
-patle,- e,-btt not short was IN white
fannels and cricket cap; brown-faced
ond bearded.
"Not Aries. Rosalnd reflected, as
she scanned them with careless glance.
her chin resting on the earth-stained
hands clasped above her broomstick.
The dark man sent quick, sweeping
glance over the whole picture, scarcely
noticing the figure in the foreground,
but particularly observing the small
house built of old stones.
"Jovel What an owls nest!" he ex-
claimed, with a dissatisfied air.
"What would you have?" his friend
replied; romantic old place; fine ruins,
surely?"
"One doesn't sell ones soul for an
owls nest or heap of ruins"
"Oh, as to that, souls are cheap
enough, once in the market" the deeper
voice replied. Lets rest and be thank
full" he added, dropping himself on
garden seat and stretching his legs
comfortably in front of him, with his
hands in his pockets. "Jolly old place,
Carr. Very good specimen of feudal
stronghold. Norman keep well pre-
served. Carlen house on the hill OPP
posite. Perpendicular chapel yonder,"
nodding his head slightly to the right,
where, opposite the dwelling house.
perfect and ricfly-traceried window in
a rooAess chancel was partially re-
vealed among some beeches.
Rosalind had moved away; the bell
again sounded. She hastened to the
gate and let in party of ladies, while
Margery said that she would go quietly
into the cottage and put the kettle on
for Grannie's tea, in case she.walSed.
"Dear old Grannie is still asleep.
hope no one will rouse her." she said,
five minutes later, on coming out of the
cottage and addressing Rosalind, who
was answering questions and giving
the dates and builders of different parts
of the castle for the benefit of the in
1uisitive men visitors.
"The present owner is not de Carlen,
l think?" the dark man asked, forget
ting. despite his knightly appearance,
to remove his cigarette.
"No, an Ormonde; the male line has
twice been broken. Here lies the last
de Carlen."
They were now In the ruined chapel,
grass-grown and dotted with stone
tonbs and broken efiigies of mailed
knights.
"Nery good of the owner TO show her
castle to the public" Carr said. 1T
must be bore 10 her, though. This
Miss OrInonde probably courts popular
ity. eh?"
"Miss Ormonde is not too poor to be
popular" was Rosalinds somewhat dark
reply.
Rustic irony" Carr murmured 10
Brandon. "a plain woman?" he asked
of Rosalind.
Remarkably plain"
"And such n temperl" added Margery,
with vicious emphasis.
"But young, surely yorng?" he pro-
tested, as IL her age were a personal
injury TO him.
We'll! certainly not So young as she
wns. poor lady"
"Still she must be under fifty." added
Margery.
"Hal What did I fell Won. Brandonf