The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1903-06-18
AORIMER'S
CASTLE.
By 6. q. BURGIN.

-A- would not have protested
k9I t9Ut that the venerable ruin was
a constant burden to him,
that every crumbling stone which had
to be replaced, required sacrifices on
his part to put it back again. Unfor-
tunately, it was n real castlc-what
there was of it-which needed real re-
pairs; and, as n real castle, it insisted
on being respected. The Spirit of the
Castle had been accustomed, in the
form of an old armor-clad knight, to
visit Lorimer ever since his boyhood.
1t also took on n physical embodiment
in later years, when LoTlmer was sin
residence" although there was not
very much for him to reside in, and
grumbled without ceasing. Lorimer
was accustomed to think of it as 1.-THE
Castle" and when he wanted to patch
up repairs on a scale commensurate
with his modest purse, the Castle pro-
tested in the vigorous adjectival
phrases beloved by our ancestors of
yore. AS a matter Of fact, the Castles
arguments were sounder than the
Castle.
my dear Castle, you know very wei!
that all the money l have in the world
"a hundred a ~year-goes in keeping
your remains in decent order. Don't
be so Brutality exacting.'
You're a muddle-headed, medieval.
meddiing old FOOL" said Lorimer irrl-
tably. 'Of course, If you weren't be-
hind the times, you'd know better.
We'd find ourselves in a Police Court
before we knew where we were"
WELL" said the Castle, rather
abashed, couldn't We fight our way
out again?"
mo, we couldn't-not without a fine.
beautiful lady in the world, and she's
leading lady at the Calypso"
Seems to be leading you-by the
nose" sneered the Castle.
"I'm torn by a thousand devils"
said Lorimer. II love a certain lady.
She hasn't even noticed me-off the
stage-is not aware that l exist. For
tune never gives me a chance. I'm eat
ing my heart out about her. I'm going
mad! She'd make W these old walls
radiant. She'd"
He left off with a groan, for the en-
cient caretaker stood there, with a re-
spectful grin upon his face.
"Talkin' to yourself, sir? 1t be lone
some, bain't it,"
"Yes-yes. II was talking to my
self" AT the first hint of a newcomer
the Spirit of the Castle had disap-
peared. "What do you want?"
1.-TWO young ladies have been round
the ruins, sir, and they wants to know
If they can have tea in them the
housekeeper's room" The old man
chuckled.
Lorimer hastily kicked his bed into
the oaken cupboard, and threw an arm
full of green ash ON the fire,
''Show them in, and hunt out some
more teacups. Say that the Lord of
the Castle will be delighted to welcome
them"
The old man went away and returned
with two cards. Lorimer looked at
them curiously. "Miss Ashton-Lydia
Cranbrook."
The cards fiuttered to the floor.
miss - Ashton! The leading lady
of the Calypso!'
I'VE must apologize for our intru-
sion," said the shorter of the two la
dies. 1--WE were not aware that the
Lord of the Castle was in residence.
But we are very tired and hot, and
Lorimer advanced to meet them.
you are most heartily welcome to
my poor ruins. Won't you sit DOWN.
The ladies sat down.
III.
Miss Ashton was tall and dark, hei
companion slight and fair. The former
had a noble, beautiful face, with great
sparkling, dark eyes. and an exquisite
throat and chin. There was a suspicion
of humor in the corners of her sensitive
mouth. Miss Cranbrook was small
and fair. the stage ingenue type OF cir.
who always says Innocent things and
longs for a mother to guide her foot
steps, but is generally ready to run
away and get married on the slightest
provocation. In the present case, she
SuAutu ucT own lCOISEeDS toward Z
chair and flung herself nto it. "Youl
old ruins are TOO fatiSalng." she said
Miss Ashton and myself are dying TO,
afternoon tea, aud the village is two
miles away" T,
You shall no longer die said Lori
mer Il viii maze you some tea ny
self"
Miss Ashton gave n glance roun;
the room. flung down her light wrap
seized 4 kettle and went out. She cam
back with it filed. Now" she said
merrily. permit me, having force,
myself upon you, to make tea TO
you"
observation-disclosures do-any
MISUNDERSTANDING" said Lori
mer, unconsciously. rs he took the ket
tic from her. But. alas, l have II,
falcon"
$3.50 -.