Ramshackle House

"Ramshackle House" by Hulbert Footner is a tale focusing on Pen Broome, a determined young woman facing her family's failing estate and surprising emotions for Donald Counsell, a puzzling guest accused of murder. The story powerfully shows life at Broome's Point and the difficult mix of love, duty, and suspense. We meet Pen Broome, a hardworking woman dealing with her family's rundown estate, her father's failures, and the chaos in her home. During Decoration Day, Pen feels restless and longs for something more when she witnesses the holiday celebrations. After arguing with her father about needed repairs, she seeks peace in a hidden grove with an old temple, thinking about her unmet desires and feelings of isolation. This reflection is broken by the appearance of Counsell, a handsome and charming stranger camping nearby. Their initial interactions are tense and filled with attraction and set the scene as Pen discovers Counsell is accused of murder, leading to a dramatic series of events that tests her sense of loyalty and love.