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.... ^ ■ - THE ATLANTA GEORGIAN AND NEWS. SATURDAY, MAY 18, 1 907. THE GHOST OF LOCHRAIN CASTLE-Continued would have to be at the beck and call of a good many strangers; authors, clergymen, 'politicians, financiers per haps—oh, all sorts of people." "1 think that would be very Interest ing." said Elspeth. "yes; but distracting and confusing. People of that sort have odd ways, and are often impatient, and hard to please. You would need tact as well as presence of mind. However, It's a great chance. You couldn't have hoped for anything half as good, with your Inexperience. Lochraln Castle Hydro Is new as a hotel, opened only this season, and one of the finest In Scot land. The salary Is two guineas a week, and you're sure to have presents. Hut mind, you must do us credit, t don't want Mr. McGowan to think I" made a mistake. That would be laid advertisement for the agency." "I will do my best," said Elspeth, to whom a weekly two guineas seemed » fortune. She had lived on fifteen shill- 1 Ings a week for two years, since her father had died, and her brother (now In Australia seeking his fortune), had insisted on giving her the whole of that father's pension as a major In tho Seventieth Scottish Borderers. Lon don, and her training as a shorthand writer and typist, had strained her resources, and for months she had been trying in vain for work, calling every day at several agencies. In a few minutes everything was ar ranged, and Miss Smith was able to send a satisfactory telegram to the manager of the Lochraln Castle Hy dropathic HoteL Rlspeth went home to her lodgings, packed up her typewriter, which she had bought on the "install ment plan," and all her other belong ings. Her railway ticket was paid for by her new employer, and the next morning she was at Huston Station, one gmull unit In a crowd for the Scotch express. When Elspeth was a little girl she had been taken once to Scotland to see the place where she was born, but she had not been there since. Her fa ther's people had never forgiven him for marrying a pretty girl somewhere beneath him In station, and absolutes ly penniless, therefdre Klspeth knew nothing about them. Major Dean had left his son and daughter at school in a suburb of Ixradon when they were small, and later he could never afford to take Elspeth out to India. She had done very little traveling In her life, and was much excited this morning. She hod not dreamed that there would be ao many people going by train, though—she told herself—she might have thought of It. as Town was now "dead," and everybody running up to Scotland for what was left of August and September. Klspeth had a third-class ticket, but the crush was so great that no place could be found- for her. Neither was there anything left In the second-class compartments, by the time the porter who had registered her box and taken charge of her handbag began to search for a sent. "You'll have to go flrst-class. Miss, ■aid he. The girl demurred. » "Hut .they won’t let me. and I can't afford'*— she had begun, when the por ter broke In reassuringly; / "That’s all right, Miss; they'll have to let you. ''There’s no room in the thirds or seconds, and they're bound to carry you." They hurried from door to door, but everything was full, until at last they came to a compartment occupied only by two ladies. To be suro the remain ing scats were covered with small lug gage, a couple of smart dressing Dags with gold monograms (one of them surmounted with a coronet), anil a dust coat or two. But the porter was not easily beguiled. "These places all taken, madam?" he asked briskly of the elder lady, a very handsome woman, whose adndreri would have pronounced her 33, whose enemies would have placed her pas' (d She glanced up from reading a let ter, and stared haughtily at Elepoth and the porter. "Yes”— she began, when the girl who was with her Interrupted: "Oh. mother, It Is only one seat be side ours that is engaged, and wo aren't quit* sure even ubnuj that.” The other frowned with vexation, nml she did not look half so handsome, or nearly so young when she frowned. "You ure too ridiculous, Hilary!" sue xnnppeil, In a low but angry voice. Then, to the porter: '"There Is no room here. Don't you tee, the racks are ul- .ready full of luggage, and we need the, disengaged seat for our hags." "Very sorry, madam, but this la the only compartment with n place free anil this ludy must tide somewhere,” replied the man, already beginning to And spare for the gorgeous dressing bags Ip the racks. "Impudent creature!” exclaimed the Indy, flushing deeply under a delicate film of liquid powder, and a veil which heightened Us llower-Ilke effect. “I am the t.'oun—" "Oh. mother, don't,” Implored the girl, her face—which Elspeth thought the prettiest she bad ever seen—scarlet with humiliation and distress. "See. he Is making room, We can't, expect to have the whole compartment to our selves." The elder woman bit her lip and was silent, realising, i-1 :..i|>-. that It was she who was on the point of making herself ridiculous. But she twitched aside her drees with such nn air of dis gust os Klspeth meekly passed to the ■eat which had hem ih.ued Iff the porter that the unfortunate new-comer felt that she was regarded as some In ferior sort of anlmnl. "I am sorry," she said, looking straight at the girl, not at the woman. "Please don’t be. It doesn't matter In the least," answered the beautiful creature, with a smile so rharining that Elspeth's heart warmed to her. "I'm sure she’s as nice as she's pretty, 1 typist said to herself, "though how she can be, with such a mother,- Is a mir acle."/ The Intruder smiled a grateful an swer, and then tri.-.l to appear oblivious to her traveling companions. She opened her handbag, which she had on her lap. and pretended to be deeply Interested In Its conlerUs, but she could not help hearing their conversation. It was all hut time for the train to start now, and the elder of the two ladles, apparently forgetting the unwelcome third In the compartment, did not at tempt to conceal her excitement. Whal. a shame! I believe he's not coming," she exclaimed, looking eogerly out of the window. "Another minute and It will be too late. I do hope Lady Melton's news wasn’t a mistake or made up out of tho whole cloth, and our time wasted. It would he like her. I always did think Maud Melton a cat." Mother, do be careful," whispered her daughter. "What do 1 care for a person of that sort?” asked the other, with a quick glance of contempt at pretty, plainly dressed Klspeth. "It’s bad enough hav ing her stuffed in with us, without hav ing to think about her. with every word one speaks. She doesn't matter any more tli;tn mic's maid mutters;. In deed. she is probably someone's mold. What is the use of spending a lot of money to travel first class, if third- class creatures'are to be squeezed In, without paying a penny?" Here comes Mr. Kenrlth," broke In the girl, os It thankful to make a di version. Instantly an extraordinary change cam© over her mother. The handsome, though rather sltarp features, were softened with a charming smile which irradiated them- as the rose of a sun set glow Irradiates a bleak landscape In the north. The dark eyes sparkled, the tVown that hail drawn the straight black brows together was smoothed out. She looked suddenly almost girl ish and prettily feminine os she patted her beautifully undulated auburn hair. Elspeth, though angry, was Interest ed, wondering what sort of man would apporr. The name, Kenrlth. sounded faintly familiar, aa If she had heard It before, but if so she could not re member where. In another second her curiosity was satisfied. A tail, broad-shouldered man of about forty, with a nice brown face, was at the door. “Here I am. Just In time,” said he In a pleasant voice, which proclaimed him from the jiorth country. "May I really travel with you, Lady Lambnrt and Lady Hilary?" "We are delighted. You won't let us be dull,” replied Lady Lambert. The new comer glanced at Elspeth. as If expecting to find that she was an acquaintance also, saw she was a stranger, and begging ber pardon as be passed, took the unoccupied seat. By this time tho young typist knew why the name of Kenrlth hod sounded familiar. She had never heard It. but had read about It In the papers. There waft a millionaire named John Ken rith, who was very charitable, and whoso good works she had seen men tioned. If she remembered aright, he rnmo from Lancashire, and she won dered if this nice, brown, rather ugly man were he. "If he Is, I do believe this horrid woman Is being sweet to him on account of his money,” thought the girl, "for he doesn’t seem her sort at all. I do hope he sees through her. He looks clover, but I suppose men never do see through handsome wom en, especially countesses, nnd this evi dently Is one. because now I come to look at it, that’s a countess' coronet on her dressing bag.” Klspeth had brought a novel, and she tried to absorb herself In It, as the train ruslied her oh toward exciting new ex periences: but the talk of her traveling companions would entangle Itself with that of the. characters In the book. It was such a pleasant surprise to hear, after we had made up our minds to go to Lochraln, that you were going,” said Lady Lambart. "1 couldn't resist writing you a line, when 1 heard you were at the Carlton, to ask If there were any chance of your traveling by our train. Then, when I didn't get an answer” "I was away from town all yesterday, and only found your note when I got This Idea struck her sense of humor read. “VVliat will they do when they mlcally that she almost laughed aloud; but nobody was paying any at tention to her. Kenrith looked her way ncc.isionully, to in* sure, tint nut say ing anything that he need mind all the world hearing; and his glances toward Elspeth expressed only the Interest that a warm-hearted man of an unus ually kind and sympathetic nature would feel In a pretty young woman, traveling alone, almost shabbily dressed, when her beauty ought to have been set off by charming things, such as Lady Hilary Vane wore, thought of her consciously. It was to say to himself: “Poor child! Girls like her have a right 1“ everything that's brightest and best In the world. What an awful shame they can't all have It.' You must have had dozens of In vitations for this month and next, r remarked Lady Lambart. "1 had a few, but I'm not much of a hand for visiting,” replied the million alre modestly. “I know the man who has turned the old castle of Lochraln into a hotel. Indeed. I was able to help him a little, as he's a good fellow, and deserves success. That's one rea son I'm going, and another is. I thought It would be a good quiet place for me to try my hand at writing a book I've had In mind for some time; a dull thing you'd think it, but Interesting to me; new Idea In socialistic schemes I want to work out.” "You ore always thlnklpg of Others,” exclaimed Lady Lambart. "I’m afraid I don't forget myself.” smiled Kenrlth. "Tve Just been making myself a big present. You know the Radepolsklo diamond? Well, I've got It—got it on me at this moment, If you”— “Oh, Mr. Kenrlth, you forget, waljs have ears, even walls of railway car riages!” cried. Lady Lambart. “You oughtn't to spe*!ik out such state se crets, exrept when you are quite, quite alone, with your most trusted friends, and even then In a whisper.” Kenrith laughed. “I rather think I'm able to look after my property. This Isn't the first Jewel I've carried about, and oven now.it isn’t tin- only one - "You really mustn’t," she braky in. ’You must send your valuables to be locked safely up in a bank directly we arrive at our Journey's end. or. I shall not h iv an easy mom-tit bv night or by "You arc very kind to take an Inter est,” said the millionaire. Elspttb's ears tingled. "She said before I was of no more cons.-iucnce than a servant, and now she tak m rut for a spy—or a thief.” the girl thought. "I hope I don't look like either: but then, I suppose. It Is Imprudent of him to talk UU* She remembered that among other things she had read of John Kenri-h was the fact that he collected rare Jew els, his one piece of self-lndulger.ee. Sow the had no longer a doubt of the Identity of this Mr. Kenrlth. “By the way, you’ll find another friend at Lochraln.” remarked the Lan cashire man, changing the subject. “Captain Oxford, whom I happened to run across a day or two ago, told me he was starting last night and meant to spend a fortnight or longer at the hotel. That old wound In his arm Is troubling him. It seems, and he thought the Hy dro"— 'How very vexatious!” exclaimed Lady Lambart. me at Lochraln?" she wondered. But she soon decided that the countess of Lambart was not a woman to care much for the opinion or thoughts of a humble typist, even If she remem bered that' she had seen the face be- Her tone was so tremulous with sur prise and • annoyance that Elspeth glanced up In spite of herself. Lady Hilary’s lovely face was sear- let, and, though her big vtplet eyed were : landscape, Klspeth 5te to wire; but. of course, I sent a messenger tbe first thing this morn' ing” “We must have already left. It b such a long drive, you knmv, and Hilary and i have heaps of luggage. But ttll’s well that ends well. Who would have dreamed of your going to Lochraln? I thought of It because Uie air Is so good, and It’s been such a tiring season that It will be more rest ful for ua both than a round of Scutch visits.”. "I think I'm In great luck," said Mr. Kenrlth. "You poor fellow. I suppose you really do think so,” mused Elspeth. "'Surprised,' Indeed! I wonder she dared say that, after she must have known I heard when I first got Into the carriage. What a scene there would be It 1 told!" gazing at the flying was too feminine not to bo sure the girl felt the angry, suspicious Hash her mother's eyes darted at her. Tho at mosphere of the carriage had suddenly become mysteriously electric. "I thought be was a friend of yours,” said Kenrith, innocently. Not at all. I consider him a most undesirable young man,” returned Lady Lambart. "I hope, dear Mr. Kenrlth, if he tries to force himself upon us at Lochraln, as he is almost sure to, that you will help me to—er—keep him In his place.” “What Is his place?” Kenrith asked bluntly. "He's an officer and a gentle man, nnd a very good fellow as well aa a brave one. That's iny opinion him.” "Well enough, from a man’s point of view.” said Ludy Lambart, more gent ly. “But I’m a woman, and Hilary Is a young girl, with no one to watch over us. We must be careful. Captain Oxford Is dreadfully pushing and of course he Is nobody." "So am I nobody.” “How like you to say that! But you had a name, even before you made It, whereas Oxford Isn’t his name, you know, or Laurence either. Really, old Miss Laurence, who adopted him when he was a wretched little foundling In seme foreign place or other where she was visiting, gave him his surname be cause she lived In Oxford. And he hasn't a penny except tho few wretched hundred a year she left him. I wonder how he manages to scrape along In tho army"— "It's much to his credit that he's got on so finely,” said Kenrlth. “In his profession, yes; bat, of course, he could never dream of marrying, at •11 events, any girl in tho station to which be seems to aspire,” replied Lady Lambart. Elspeth began to feel as if she hod got Into a story bqok far more Inter esting than the one she was trying to The Journey did not seem long to the girl, for her brain teemed with all sorts of Interesting fancies, from the beginning to the end. The station at which lutssengcra descended for Loch raln Castle Hydropathic Hotel was that of a small town, popular among tour ists, and so there was no reason why It should occur to her fellow travelers that her destination was the same as theirs. Lochraln was five or six miles distant, and Elspeth saw her three late companions go away In a very smart motor car, so exactly like several others at the station that she guessed that they were sent by the management of the hotel. There were evidently a num ber of other guests for the new and fashionable Hydro, and eight or ten of their maids and valets departed In a bunch in a big motor omnibus. Ev erything was so quickly done that Els- peth had not time to wonder what was to become of her. before a voice spoke her name. , "Are you Miss Dean, angaged as sec retary for Lochraln Hydro?” "Yes,” said Elspeth, turning quickly, to see, not a servant, but a pale-faced, black-eyed young man. very well dressed In dark blue serge. T am Mr. Grant, Mr. McGowan’s as- sistant.” he announced, with hts lint off. "Mr. McGowan wished me to meet and drive you back, so that on the way I might prepare you for some of your duties, and sot’s time." ‘It will be very kind ot you,” said the girl. T shall be glad to help you In any way I can,” he answered; and looking up, Elspeth caught a flash In tho dark, deepset eyes which contradicted tho white coldness of the face. T wonder whether Tin going to like Mr. Grant or not!” she thought. The' look In bis eyes told her that the pale man was not unaware of the fact that she was a pretty girl. Tho drive to Lochraln was a wild and beautiful one, but Miss Smith’s eu- loglums Jiad not half prepared her for the magnificence of the place Itself. "Why, it's like a grand castle, and has the air of being hundreds and hundreds of years old!” she exclaimed In Intense admiration, when the dog cart Mr. Grant 'drove had passed through a park, and brought them Into sight of-a huge, gray stone pile on a slight grassy elevation. But even be fore her companion replied, she re membered how Mr. Kenrith had spoken of "turning the old castle Into • ho tel. - ' "How delightful," the girl went on. “This Is even hotter than I expected. It's always-been my dream to live In a place like this. I do hope tt’j haunt ed?” , Mr. Grant smiled rather grimly. “There are more gruesome stories told about Locbraln as It used to be In the past than about almost any of the feudal houses, which Is saying a good deal, especially In Scotland. Aren't you afraid of ghosts?" Not In the least. I don't believe in them, though I love ghost stories dearly,” she said. "Very well, then. I'H tell you what I wouldn't have told you otherwise. It will no doubt please you to hear that your roqm is In the 'haunted tower,' as It used to be called. The Hydro Is crammed for the season, and If yon hadn't been put there, you would have ’ had to be tucked away In an attic.- You'll find the room a nice one, eo nice that Mr. McGowan would hare had to keep It for guests, If It hadn't been for the ugly old stories which, If any one got to know—as they most certainly would one way or another—would havo led to rows with the management. So you see, an ill wind lias blown you some good—especially as you're fond ot ghost stories.” "What are the storlea about my tower?” asked Elspeth. "Here we are the door," said Mr. Grant; and she could not guess from bis tone If tbe evasion ot her ques tion .was deliberate or not A queer little thrill crept throngh her veins, such as she had never felt be fore. Something seemed to whisper In her car that experiences—whether ghostly or not—would come to her at Lochraln, strange enough to try the bravest spirit And yet It was a fash ionable Hydro, full of gay. pleasure- seeking people, and she was only an insignificant little typist come hero to work for her living in a prosaic way. st two guineas a week. Reason said that Imagination was flying away vytth her good sense, and yet the thrill and the presentiment remained. Continued in Next Saturday’s Georgian. .j ..