The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-02-04
John FlOyd's
Fishing Trip

Floyd often stopped week at
turstmont. 1t was rest from town,
rhere there is no rest, and It was
bit difficult to get to, which was
ne of It's charms, and the fishing was
eood.
But the Crusaders Arms was the
trong point-an undeveloped inn
hth a rustic garden and veranda, to
az nothing of excellent cooking and
quiet, far-away touch about 1t
hitch was balm like and soothing
fter the fever and hurry Of the city.
But when Floyd arrived. unan-
ounced, in June the landlord threw
lp his hands in dismay.
"No ROOM" exclaimed Floyd.
Very sorry, SIR" said the land
ord. "If you had only written! But
hoy might put you up at the Sheaves
.ept by lady-Miss Charteris."
"Ah, ] will try there" and John
nodyd drove, away down the village
.reet and into tn country again, for
ne fyman to pull up at a pretty
'ose and clematis covered cottage.
"The Sheaves is not an inn, SIR"
Aid the hyman, as he got down; but
believe it's all right"
And then, few minutes later, the
'isitor found himself inside the
,louse. he realized that the driver
poke the truth.
Miss Charters interested him ex-
remedy, but why she took in board
~ puzzled him.
You must be rather lonely, here"
q said.
"No," she answered, there is
.tlenty to interest me-"
He nodded shortly.
mo doubt. But is there anything
archaeological? We Americans are
bat way, you know"
''There is the abbey" she said.
May one go there?"
The girl hesitated.
81 mean with permission. Of
curse. 1t is not inhabited?"
MO-, it is not Inhabited" she
aid. slowly.
you take a great interest in TT"
10 said.
"Yes, and I fear the Goths and
fandals."
-rhe Goths and Vandals?"
''You see, the abbey is all have"
he said wistfully 1T used to be-
sng to my family all this part, and
y the only bit left"
And it's ruin" he put in,
houghtfully, and at that minute as
70 looked at her he unconsciously
Blt glad that he liked fishing, and
hat the proclivity had led his steps
o that out-of-the-way corner of the
World.
"Yes," she murmured, 1T is
-uin. but very beautiful ruin. II
sou like could show you It; they
,rould let me-"
The young man wondered who the
nythical they" might be as he ac-
ompanied her into the silent pth-
sSays Of the ancient stronghold, mon
site in its solemnity now.
THE staircase is very old and
worn," he said.
"Yes," she answered, 1.-The Crusad-
RS did chip the steps a good deal
tramping up and down."
He looked up at her, but said not
word
He could not sleep that night. He
ose at last and dressed; and then,
ust as he opened the door, he saw in
ne dusky corridor figure-a phan-
om of the night. There was move
rlent below and he descended to fol-
ow her into the silent country lane.
ut into the woodland clearing,
hence into the forest, finally into
he courtyard of the old chateau,
which just then looked more dream
Ike STILL
He lost sight of her in that maze
I moss covered, ivy wreathed arch
rays, where the moonlight fell In
liver patches, and he stopped to
think before pursuing his way, ac-
iuated now principally by insight and
admiration for what he saw, and re-
,,liZing that he stood very little
hance of finding his involuntary
uide, familiar as she seemed to be
nth the intricacies Of the place. He
lounted stairway after stairway, at
sngth coming to wing of the castle
here ruin was not SO plainly mark
d.
Here music came family to the
ar, and he stopped to listen before
'ursuing his way, hesitating finally
n the threshold of a large chamber
hose walls were still partially drap.
d with torn tapestry; and at the fal
nd he saw the girl who was his
ostess at The Sheaves, sitting be
)re an old-time musical instrument
laying a forgotten air.
There was something hard In hi
1T boot on the following morning
nd he took 1t off and shook 1t, find
ng inside what was evidently tn
cad of hatpin-a little Jewel wit,
tiny coat of arms. 'Strange!" h
auttered; and after breakfast. whe