The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-03-23
LUCK OF LODORE.

LUCK OF LODORE.
'sWhat is the Luck of Lodore,
wattyg''
A look of terror overspread the
face of old Watty Gibson, the butler
at Lodore castle, when he heard the
question which his young master
put to him just as dinner was ended.
Bending over the laird's chair, he
replied in a low tone sothat none of
the numerous guests should hear:
"Wheesht, laird, dinna speir, and
for the sake O. a. that's guide dinna
ask to see it.
But his words had been overheard
by the next neighbor to Laird Henry
at the dinner table, and he said:
Family freits again, Watty; good
heavens, what lot of rubbish our
forefathers did believe! What with
family ghosts in one gallery and
family skeletons in another and
.Lucks of Lodore' hidden in places
you wot not Of you have a lively
prospect before you, Henry, my boy.
Why, your house is scarcely habit
able. Iknow wouldn' t stand it. "
''What would you do, Jasper
Keiths''
"Iswould let in the light of coro-
mon sense on the whole bag and
baggage of them, and I think in the
end you will find your worthy fore
fathers have been kept out of the
best part of their mansion by few
enterprising rats and mice"
Jasper Keith, you know you are
talking nonsense. You are merely
egging my cousin on to attempt the
solution of the Lodore mysteries TO
crafty your own curiosity. Henry,
do not be influenced by him, +" re-
torted beautiful Jean Arniston, who
sat near.
"My fair cousin, whatever you
say must, of course, be right. A
pretty woman is always right. But
nevertheless will stick to the rats
and mice theory until am convert
ed to better, was Jasper Keith S
supercilious reply as the company
left the dinner table with the ladies.
Come, Henry, let's take our wine
in the smoking room, and Clifford
and Twill give you your revenge for
that e2OO we won from you last
night. .
stIdinna like young Laird Henry's
look, /" said the old butler when he
imagined he was alone with the 9TH
er servants clearing away the dinner
things. "He's like ane that's fey,
and I'm sure saw his wrath stand
in aside him in the ha' last nicht.
He's far owre chief wi that Jasper
Keith that was fain to marry Miss
Jean. That mans here for nae guide.
He's gotten a face like the very dell
himseI.
In place of the murmurs of assent
to his sentiments from his fellow
servants which he was always wont
to hear bitter, sardonic laugh fell
on his ear. He started, to see the
man of whom he had been speaking
standing beside him, having re-
turned to the dining room to recover
paper he had left behind.
Don't like me, eh, Wattys Look
too much like his satanic majesty to
please your fastidious taste, eh?
Sorry cannot change my features
to oblige you" And again the cold,
rasping laugh rang out from the
pale, bloodless lips of Jasper Keith,
whose pallid face, jet black hair and
beard and glittering eyes justified
old Watty's description.
The old butler vouchsafed no re-
ply. He made all the haste he could
to get away from close proximity to
"the double of the devil, as Keith
was called. The latter was distant
relative of the family and had been
rejected suitor for Jean Arniston s
hand. But his failure to secure the
prize did not discompose him. He
succeeded in establishing friendly
relations with Henry, and it was
whispered was the companion OF the
young laird in some of the most dis
graceful of the orgies into which he
was wont to plunge.
Lodore castle was one of those
rambling old border mansions that
still retain in their massive towers
and battlemented walls the mem
cries Of the stirring times when the
ruthless reiver and the stark moss
trooper were making the history
that has descended in ballad and To-
nance. Standing at the head Of ore
of the gloomiest glens in the Lam
,,,or,,,oor hills nr1 ,,prphoG on the