Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-06-25
I .IORAMER'S
CASTLE.
By c.. B. BURGIN.

sv--: T it had been castle in the
t|GlI llgS air, L0rimer, with hands
outstretched to heaven.
l. would not have protested
l(dl t9l)a that the venerable ruin was
ts'- a constant burden to him,
ihat every crumbling stone which had
TO be replaced, required sacrifices ON
his part to put it back again Unfor-
1upately, il was a real castle-what
there was Of it-Which needed real re-
Daj7s and. as 4 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 Loriner ever since his boyhood.
II also took on a physical embodiment
III later years when Lorimer was Gin
residence although there was not
very much for him to reside in, and
cru1nbed without ceasing. Lorimer
was accustomed to think Of it as ''the
Castle" and when he wanted to patch
un repairs on a scale commensurate
with his modest purse, the Castle pro-
tested in the vigorous adjectival
phrases beloved by our ancestors OF
vore. AS matter Of fact. the Castles
arguments were sounder than the
Castle.
My dear Castle, you know very well
that all the money have in the world
IL hundred year-goes in keeping
your remains in decent order. Don't
be SO brutally exacting."
You're muddle-headed, medieval,
modlling old FOOL said Lorimer irri-
tably. "Of course, if you weren't be-
hird the times, you'd know better.
We'd find ourselves in Police Court
before We knew where we were.''
Well" said the Castle, rather
abasned, couldn't we fight our way
out again.
No we couldn't-not without fine.
| tell You. I'm in love with the most
beautiful lady in the world, and she's
leading lady at the Calypso"
Seems to be leading yo,t-by the
nose" sneered the Castle.
I'm torn by a thousand devils,
''titH iloi 1iuCl. L 1OFC q SCh LolL AoNty
She hasn't even noticed me-off the
Stasc-is not aware that I exist. For
tune mercy gives NE chance. I'm eat
Ing MY heart out about her. I'm going
mad: Shed make even these old walls
radiant. She'd
He left off with a groan, for the en-
clent caretaker stood there, with a re
Spectful grin upon his face.
"TaiSin' to yourself, sir? 1t be lone
some, bain't it?"
"1es-yes, II was talking to my
iSeIf.' At the first hint of a newcomer
tie Spirit of the Castle had disap
peared. What do you want?"
Two young ladies have been roun(
lfa ruins. sir. and they wants to know
Il they can have tea in the-in th'
ho2sekeeper's ROOM The old maj
ehuckled.
Lorimer hastily kicked his bed int
'Aa oaken cupboard. and threw an arm
l0l OF green ash on the fire.
shoW them in, and hunt out som
more teacups. Say that the Lord 0
me Castle will be delighted to welcom
them
Inc Old man went away and returne'
N!th two cards. Lorimer looked a
'heln cl.riously. ''AIiss AshtOn-Lydi
Craablook."
III" cards futtered to the floor.
Miss - Ashton. The leading lad
Of the Calypso"
we must apologize for our intrr
Son' said the shorter of the two /;
nles. We were not aware that tn
r-ofd Of the Castle was in residence
''.' "e arc very tired and hot. and
1'oFIiner advanced to meet them.
iou arc most heartily welcome I
"y poor ruins. Won't you sit down
lEe ladies sat down.
II.
-aE65 Ashton was tall and dark. hs
'Mpan!on slight and fair. The form,
'"''' noble. beautiful face, with grea
,,H7Fling, dark eyes, and an exquisi
'1'oat and chin. There was suspicie
''''AoF in the corners Of her sensiti,
"so"'h' Miss Cranbrook was sma
w.. wv Lar, the stage ingenue type Of gi
'n' always says Innocent things a,
IA@S Tor mother to guide her foe
,|st'S' but is generally ready TO IL
way and get married on the slighte
,'"y'caJ'on. III the present case, 81
''.'u her own footsteps toward
~, ~" and flung herself into it. ''Yo
.,f. i"''is are 100 fatigulng." she sal
,I'sS Ashton and myself are dying {
,a9 ,,'I''oon tea, and the villas sc is ty
niles away"
- 'ou shall NO longer lie,' said Lo
soI,.. / VIII make You some tea II
~, HISS ashton gave one glance rou
80 lcoh'. flung down her light wr: