The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-08-14
THE BETRAYED,s CURSE.
Not far from Kettaring. in Nnrtham

Not far from Kettering, in Northamp-
ltonshire, stands the pretty little village Of
Rushton, with its quaint church and pic
turesque graveyard. For many years it
was in the possession of the Tresham
family, who lived at the Hall, situated
i'm a large and richly wooded park, ad-
Joining the village. The principal part
of Rushton Hall was built by Sir Thorn
as Tresham, the father of the Sir Fran
els Tresham, whose name was SO promi-
nently mixed up with the details Of the
gunpowder plot.
From the Treshams the estate passed
to the ancestors of the Cullen family and
thus it was that Bryan, second Viscount
cullen, found himself the Lord of Rush
ton Hall. He had travelled much abroad,
spending considerable portion of his
time in Italy, where he had become en-
amored of a beautiful and highly accom-
lplished italian lady. Charles II then oc-
Icupied the English throne, and Lord
Cullen had unfortunately imbibed some
of the licentiousness of conduct which
characterized the court of the "Merry
Monarch" -
The attachment formed between him
and the fair Italian was soon broken, and
despite her tears and earnest supplica-
ton, he left her for the purpose of retur-
ming to England, where he was engaged
to be married to Elizabeth Trentham, to
whom he had been betrothed at the age
| of sixteen. Not word of this engage
ment had he mentioned to the Italian la
tdy, who deluded herself with the belief
that she was Lord Cullen's first and only
love. ~.
Arrived in England, Lord Cullen soon
forgot the passion which had occupied
his heart while in Italy, and if he did re-
tain lurking thought in favor of the
woman he had SO cruelty deceived, twas
speedily dissipated in the company of
Elizabeth Trentham, whose beauty and
wit led him a willing captive. t
Days, weeks and months passed on,and
at last the time arrived when the nuptials
of Lord Cullen and Elizabeth Trentham
were to take place. Great were the prep
arations, for the Viscount was no niggard
with his money, and he had determined
that the rejoicings should be on an almost
lprincely scale. From far and wide the
villagers and country folks came pouring
Tin; equipage after equipage drove up
from the seats Of. the neighboring nobil-
lity and gentry; while the ancient village
inn was crowded with serving men and
others, for whom there was no accommo-
dation at the Hall.
| Very beautiful was the bride. Her
eyes sparkled more brilliantly than the
diamonds which hung around her neck,
while the color of her lips eclipsed that
of the rubies which adorned her zone.
As she marched through the hall, escort
ed by the Viscount--who, in his bridal
dress, looked the very beau ideal of q
gallant and chiyalrous nebleman--a loud
buzz.of admiration arose from the assem-
bled guests. lord Callen was indeed 3
HAPPY man, so they thought.
A merry time the guests had Of it
lSong followed song, and toast followed
toast, when suddenly there drove up, te
the hall dark -colored carriage drawn b.
black horses. The servants gazed in as
I tonishment at the strange equipage, MOI
was their wonder lessened when from tn,
carriage there issued the form of an Ital
ian lady, dressed entirely in black, who
| without speaking a word, marched to
ward the room where sat the bridegroom
and bride in the midst Of their friends.
4 AT the sight Of the stern, pale feature
of the injured woman, Lady Cullen shranl
back in fear and terror, while her hus
band, with livid countsnance and trem
bling form, strove to avoid the searching
gaze which he felt to be directed toward
him. Not word did the strange appa
rition utter, until she had reached th
table whereat sat Lord Cullen and hi
!, bride. Then, seizing the goblet fron
which they had been drinking, she dranl
! to their earthly ruin and misery. -
81 drink to your pledge, Lord Bryan, she said
To your bride SO bonny and fair;
May destruction light on your perjured heae
t May misery circle her lene death-bed,
q And no kind friend be there
Back shrank the affrighted spectators
P as after casting a bitter, whitening look a
$ her betrayer, the strange lady passe
: from the hall, and, entering her. carriage
drove of, never to be seen or heard o
again.
There was no more merry making.
5 deep and gloomy silence crept over th
5 place, and, one by one, the frightene
: guests crept stealthily away from th
y scene of the terrible curse, leaving tn
r conscience stricken nobleman and hi
fainting bride alone in the ancient hall.
The news spread through the village
and many were the tales related of tn
almost supernatural appearance Of the in
. |jured Italian, at the very moment whe
. Lord Cullen had forgotten her and th
. VOWS to which she had so trustfully Iii
2 tened in her native land.
. The curse was in great measure fu
: filled.
: The marriage proved an unhappy on
and the extravaganza of both led Lad
! Cullen, Notwithstanding her enormou
= fortune, 20 die in comparative poverty, ;
) Kittering.
II In latter times, Rushton Hall. with i
! romantic park and curious legend, passe
: away from the possession of the Guile
: : family into that Of Mr.. Hope, the eel,
! brated banker. On the death of TIL
: gentleman, it was purchased by the qua
: dams Of Miss Clara Thornhill, a wealth
! Yorkshire heiress, who has since succee,
: !. ed to the estate, and married Captain