The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-19
Certainly" she replied, "step in"

looked around them, seeing the fore
ground Rosalind, leaning pensively on
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
a frugal luncheon could be seen, and
| the distant keep for a background.
| Full sunshine threw her face into shad-
ow and lit up the faces Of the two men.
The first was dark and tall, with a
beautiful, close-shaven face; he wore a
soft felt hat with pinched crown and
slightly sweeping brinl. the belted tunic
closed to the throat called Norfolk
| jacket, and knickerbockers Of thinner
and more clinging stuff than is usual.
! Slightly and straightly built. and wear
| ing stocking 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 We're
| graceful, there was a suggestion Of
knightly charm in his whole bearing.
| His friend was of sturdier build, with
| gray eyes and light brown hair; he was
| nels and cricket cap; brown-faced and
bearded.
mot 'Arries," Rosalind 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.
''Jove! What an owls nest!" he ex-
claimed, with dissatisfied air.
what would you have?" his friend
replied; romantic old place; fine ruins,
surely?"
zone doesn't sell ones soul for an
owls nest or a 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 a
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 a feudal
stronghold. Norman keep we'll pre-
served. Carlen house on the hill op-
posite. Perpendicular chapel yonder,"
nodding his head slightly to the right,
where. opposite the dwelling house, a
perfect and richly-traceried window in
a roofiess chancel was partially re-
vealed among some beeches.
Rosalind had moved away; the bell
again sounded. She hastened to the
gate and let in a 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 walked.
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
quisitive men visitors.
1.-The present owner Is not a de Carlen,
Think" the dark man asked, forget
ting, despite his knightly appearance,
to remove his cigarette.
! mo, 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
tombs and broken effigies of mailed
knights.
Every good Of the owner to show her
castle to the public" Carr said. 1T
must be bore to her, though. This
Miss Ormonde probably courts popular
ity, eh?"
Miss Ormonde is not too poor to be
popular" was Rosalind's somewhat
dark reply.
Rustic irony" Carr murmured to
Brandon. "A plain woman?" he asked
of Rosalind.
Remarkably plain"
"And such temper!" added Mar,
gerry, with vicious emphasis.
But young, surely young?" he pro-
tested, as If her age was q personal
injury to him.
well, certainly not so young as she
was. poor lady"
"Still she must be under fifty" added
Margery.
"Ha! What did tell you, Brandon?
A frumpish, cross old maid. No one
was ever good enough to marry her, I
suppose?" TO Rosalind.
"Those who ask heiresses seldom
are."
Carr laughed a joyous. boys laugh.
"Wise women are still found in these
parts, you see, Brandon" he said land
witches, too," he added, with a side
glance at Margery.
This little thirteenth century VIM
dow is much admired" Rosalind said
brusquely, lifting some ivy that hung
over it.
"Yor are attached to the place."
asked Brandon; have lived here long?
You don't tire of showing it?"
II am attached to it-like tree or a
serf-I never tire of showing it to people
who are interested" she replied, smil-
ing.
"As for me. am quite in love with
the place." Brandon sighed, with an in
tent but respectful glance at the bright
and intelligent face of the guide. II
could be very, very happy in that little
house, Carr.
my good Brandon, you could be hap
py anywhere with a pen and a pipe.
I'll be bound your Matching a sonnet
this moment-savage because you can't
rhyme stone"
"Would I could bone the hole of this
stone"
"And the mistress-?"
"Condone. There's the rub you see.
Well take the sea-view and the tilt
yard for granted this broiling day." he
added, turning back to Brandon, who
was choosing some photographs set out
on a little table beneath the cottage win
dow. II can't afford to spoil my COM
plexion or over-tire myself today. The
dragon must be faced this evening and
the siege begun at once"
"If you do spoil your lovely mug, you
might still powder for the evening""
suggested Brandon. "and put on fresh
pair Of stayA"