The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-07-03
LORYMER'S
CASTLE.
II!Sl i!5I
| |
lI6l (5l.
BY G. d. BURGIN.

- would not have protested |
lllal l9lli that the venerable ruin was /
a constant burden to him,
that every crumbllnc stone which had |
to be replaced, required sacrifices on
his part to put it back again. Unfor-
tunately, It was q real castle-what /
there was OF (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 a physical embodiment
in later years. when Lorimer was "in |
residence although there was not
very much for him to reside in, and
grumbled without ceasing. Lorlmer
was accustomed to think Of it as "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 adjectiyal
phrases beloved by our ancestors OF
yore AS q matter Of fact, the Castles
arguments were sounder than the
Castle.
My dear Castle, you know very weE
that all the money 1 have in the world
"a hundred a year-goes in keeping
your remains in decent order. Don't
be so brutally exacting."
You're a muddle-headed, medieval,
meddiing old fool" said Lorimer iiri-
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"
We'll" said the Castle, rather
abashed, couldn't we fight our way
out again?
mo, we couldn't-not without fine.
I tell you. I'm in love with tho most
beautiful lady in the world, and sne'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. 81 love a certain lady
She hasn't even noticed me-of the
stage-is not aware that exist For
tune never gives NE q chance. I'm eat
ing my heart out about her. I'm going
mad! She'd make even these old walls
radiant She'd"
He left OFF with q groan, for the en-
Gent caretaker stood there, with a re-
spectful grin upon his face.
"Talkin' to yourself, sir? 1t be lone
some bain't itY
"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 a
them curiously. "0Iiss Ashton-LydiI
Cranbrook."
The cards futtered to the floor
Miss - Ashton The leading lad.
of the Calypso"
I'VE must apologize for our intru
sion,' said the shorter of the two Ia
dies. eve were not aware that tn
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 t
my poor ruins. Won't you sit down?
The ladies sat down.
II.
Miss Ashton was tall and dark. he
companion slight and fair The forme
had a noble beautiful face with grea
sparkling, dark eyes, and an eEQuisit
throat and chin. There was q suspicio
of hunor in the corners Of her sensitiy
mouth. Miss Cranbrook YVES sma
and fair, the stage ingenue type of 81
who always says Innocent things an
longs for a mother to guide her foo
steps, but is generally ready TO I'll
away and get married ON the slighte
provocaton. In the present case, 81
guided her own footsteps toward
chair and flung herself into it, "Y0l
old ruins are TOO fatigWng." she sal
Miss Ashton and myself are dying f
afternoon tea and the village is-tN
miles away"
"You shall no longer die said Lol
mer Il VIII make You some tea n