The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-10-20
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told that the spcc,er which harbored
in the ruins of the rambling, old,
tumbledown house was the ghost of a
lovely Spanish lady. who had been
murdered there by her father. The
tradition that when Don Isbelle was a
gay young Spanish blood, and we'll
known in the province, he paid court
TO and sued for the hand Of Mad
cmoiselle Isle, the heiress of Count
D'Arme. His rival was Monsieur lie
Cooq. a popular scion OF one OF The
most prominent families In France.
Intense hatred naturally existed be-
tween these two representatives OF
rival nationalities, and consequently
when the Frenchman won the lady aud
was married to her, the feud OF race
aroused by bitter disappointment be-
came an open vendetta. Hence the
principals and their friends were
involved in numerous afrays, and the
encounters between the partisans we're
as yindictiyc rs those recorded Of the
Mou,agues and Capuieis.
Don Isbelle was married 10 charm
ing lady, whom he installed as queen
of his then famous chateau, the man
sion of whose ruins this record is made.
To them a daughter was born, Who as
she grew to womanhood, became
notable for her exquisite and rare type
of beauty and elegant accomplish.
men,s She was the acknowledged
belle of the old sristocratic circle Of
Spanish society, which was then
famous in Europe as well as in the
provinces for its briIliancy, chivalry,
wealth, and antiquity of descent. The
division line was drawn very distinctly
between this class and the proud
French pairicians, who held priucely
estates on the golden coast, and con-
trolled immense revenues from the
commerce of the province. Hence
these state causes of jealousy, combined
with hereditary rational hatred and
personal prejudices, served to embitter
the rivals for domination and leader
ship in society. But the feuds Of the
old citizens were insufficient to prevent
the young people from mingling at
public and private entertainments.
The families Isbelle and D'Arme main
tanned their hostility so faithfully that
their children seldom met, and when
ever chance cast the old people together
there was no recognition except by the
most frigid politeness and the few.s'
possible words that the courtesies o
the period required of fashionable
guests.
Capricious fate brought about M in
terview between young lie Cocq an'
Senorita Isbellc, during which The,
became much enamored, and, will
love and youth inspiring them, the,
babe defiance and farewell 10 all tn
time.hoaorel traditions of their famll..
differences and quarrels. This conduc
aroused the pride aud ire Of thei
parents, and especially maddened tn
old Sprniard. In the most furious an
insane manner he threatened TO inflic
the direst vengeance on his daughte
unless she ceased TO hold commune;
ton with her lover. He incarcerate
her in cell-like room, which had oni
one small window, through which
bird could hardly have flown. III
door was barred and guarded so closel
that he supposed it was impossible fC
any communication to occur betwee
her and the outside world except b
treachery on the part Of the domestic
of his househould.
Her desire to escape from the rigo
Gus, semi'barbarous punishment an
surveillance to which she was subject'
caused her to consent to renounce h
love. With uncertain faith in h
professions of peaitence the don r
leased her from open espionage, but,
accordance with the suspicion chara
teristic of his race, he exercised q
utmost yigience to prevent intercour
and correspondence between her a.
Monsieur lie Coco.
At this period the mother OF Ser
rita Isbelle, died. which eircumstan'
requiring year of mourning and
tirement from society, gave the don
special excuse in the practice of
most rigid Observances usual TO su
period to keep his daughter aw
from all possible chance of intrigui
against his commands. The asce
old man became so moody and
dark visage so repulsive to look ur
that his neighbors avoided him. !
anger burst out into uncontrolled n
on many occasions, aud seemed so !
the rawlings OF Il maniac, that PEG
feared to visit him. So all genial
kindness, and hospitality depart
from his house, and a plague seemed
have fallen ON the once bright a
sunny place. Once lis halls and e
tiful rooms cleaned with blazing lig
and were garnishod with the prese