The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-01-24
The Repairing Of
Harricot Castle
By ELINOR MARSH

ASS0 EAoAStCJ AA SOh' CIV CllLB
dress was strolling through the apart
ments of Mrs. Winterton, who was
giving a reception to the noble Earl
ef Harricot, his lordship having re
Gently come over from England. Ned
was making his way toward the host
ess, who stood receiving her guests,
Lord Harricot standing beside her.
Suddenly Ned stopped and stared at
the Britisher.
Had Ned twin brother and was
that brother the honored guest of the
evening? Perhaps the likeness was
heightened by the similarity Of dress,
Tor there is no variation in mems even
ing apparel. Perhaps the fact that
neither wore any hair on his face also
had some bearing on the resemblance.
Ned retreated a short distance and
gave himself up to thought. 1t was
no secret that Lord Harricot had come
over in search Of wife who would
have the means to build up Harricot
castle, which, having been built in the
year A. D. 1890, was sadly in need Of
repairs. Indeed, the object Of his lord
ships visit to America had been pri-
vately given by Mrs. Winterton to a
few of the wealthiest girls with q view
to facilitating the success Of his un-
dertaking, for it was to be under
stood that any marriage that might
take place would be one of conven-
fence.
Ned had seen and admired certain
lady and had worshiped her in secret.
What put it into his head to pass
himself off as Lord Harricot to this
Miss Geraldine Mortimer he could nev-
er quite explain. Nevertheless the
idea somehow got lodged there and
took root. Miss Mortimer was in very
moderate circumstances, which did not
fill the bill at all. On the other hand,
Ned was rich.
Ned refrained from greeting the
hostess, as he was bound to do, ard
left the house, so that the resent
blance between himself and the noble
lord was not noticed. The next day he
called on his friend. Mrs. Amy Lee,
and impaired his scheme. Mrs. Lee,
who was a natural seeker after inter-
esting situations, finally promised to
introduce him to Miss Mortimer as
Lord Harricot.
Miss Mortimer had caught glimpse
of his lordship at the opera, and he had
met her gaze admiringly. She was
therefore not surprised when she was
Informed that he had asked for an in
PRODUCTION to her. Nevertheless, hav-
ing heard n report of the object Of his
visit to America and supposing that
she would he expected to repair Har-
ricot castle. which she was unable to
do, she hesitated as to granting per-
mission for the introduction. But
there is always an expectation with
woman that she may be loved for her.
self. At any rate, Miss Mortimer final
ly consented.
During the short period Of Ned Ma
loney's devotion to Geraldine Mortimer
as Lord Harricot the imposture was
constantly on the eve of being discov-
cred. Several times he supposed that
1t was all up with him. But his good
fortune stood by him, and when he
was ready to confess the trick he was
not even suspected.
Ned made short work Of his wooing.
Indeed, he dare not make long work of
1t. One day, being encouraged. he pro-
posed. pretending that he had under
stood Miss Mortimer to be wealthy,
and giving her to understand that his
proposal carried with it an agreement
on her part not only to settle hah
million on her husband, but settle an
other half million on the home OF his
ancestors.
Miss Mortimer had been wondering
whether Harricots attentions came
from love or whether he had been mis-
informed as to her pecuniary status.
When her mind was relieved she was
greatly disappointed. The trouble was
that she had lost her heart to him.
Tears stood in her eyes as she con-
fessed that she was without the means
TO purchase his lordship.
Then Ned, being convinced that she
| loved him, confessed that he was not
a lord at all, that he was an ordinary
American citizen, and that If she would
accept him with love in cottage
which is another name for poverty, his
| proposition held good.
Miss Mortimer must have been very
much in love to forgive the deception
especially since Ned had no plausiDie
reason for having made it. But she
did forgive him and was very mucn
delighted that after all she need not
give ND the man she loved because she
had not the means to put stone ana
mortar into an old pile, the glory Oh
which had departed when it was cap
tured by the house Of Lancaster dur
ing the War of the Roses. Ned pleased
her first with his expressions of love,
which were sincere, and. second, told