The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-05-28
THE HAUNTED HALL.

are forgotten.
Il was q glorious place to romance
over, to revel in, to explore, and Jessa-
mine Grey, when she first stepped across
the modern little bridge so light and
elegant, where had once been a cumber-
some great draw-bridge, gave expression
to her delight in enthusiasm that amply
repaid her inllnlgant father for having
given way to his daughters latest whim,
the purchase Of Blue Court Hall, which
for years and years had stood grim, de-
serted, picturesque, and the transforms
tion PORTIONS Of itinto an elegantly COM
Portable gentleman's country place; a
transformation which, at fabulous
\ cost, had not been permitted to interfere
materially with the solemn grandeur Of
the place.
Mr.. Grey looked satisfedly at Rolf
Vernon as Jessanline clasped her gioyed
hands in irrepressible ecstaey:: and Rolf
Vernon turned his handsome, lazy blue
eyes admiringly upon the girls piquant,
lovely face.
E"Oh, papal oh, papal it is perfect, it
is sublime! Only see those great, glor-
ious towers rising up beyond those sway
ing. solemn trees; and the windows,
papa, those darling little diamond panes,
set so heavily in lead! Why, I can
easily imagine am about entering an
old baronial castiei Can't you, Mr..
Vernon 2
Jessamine's shining black eyes were
full on his face; her delieateIy flushed
cheeks, her wind-blown hair her slender,
willowy figure, all appealed to Mr.. Yer
non, as they had been in the habit of
Doing lately, and his blue eyes took in a
sparkle OF something more than admi.
ration as he answered her.
" / quite agree with you, Miss Jessie;
Blue Court Hall is nperh. And, be.
sides all the visible attractions, there is
doubtless its legend, which will be in
good keeping with its ancient grandeur
and hoary beauty. Do you like tradi-
tians20
BE had a remarkably pleasant voice,
sweetly intoned, and a quiet, leisurely
way Of speaking, that was well-bred
grace personiied.
~ III. Gray leaned over the slim iron
sides Of the airy little bridge, looking
down into the clear lakelet beneath
the lakelet that had once been mloat,
but which art had transformed into
swift, charging current, cool and spark
ling
" There is legend, Of course, although
4 must confess | have forgotten it. /
remember hearing the agent for the
CORTLAND family say that the red room
An apartment on the second floor
was the reputed scene of the tragedy
from which the tradition OF the usual
restless ghost sprung.
Jessie listened breathlessly.
8 { A ghost, papal a real live ghostl
Oh, how splendid! | do hope it is a
lady, q beautiful lady, who died for
Lowell Papa, ] am going to consult the
diagram, and select the red room for my
very own.
And as she walked on ahead of the two
gentlemen, so fair, SO winsome, so full Of
girlish axnherance ssaa,! grace, Rolf Rolf Yer
non wished that all he had to do was. to
selecs her for his : very own"
"a x y"
The summer days at Blue Court Hall
sped by rs if on enchanted pinions.
Guests by the dozen idled away the
long delicious days, whence sultry heat
seemed to have fed, and where cool
hreezes seemed always softly blowing
from the adjacent hills, or of the Ripping
lake, or among the huge spreading trees.
Lite was an idyl there, that blessed
Happiness, content,
gsyety and innocent feyclry ruled the
day, and in her role of hostess, Jessie
Grey was the perfection Of glad, un-
feigned welcome.
And Rolf VernoD was no. the only
Dne who was enchanted with the fair.
.weet girl whose laugh was mirth IDEAL
ICED, whose fresh, gay voice was sweet al
The chime Of silver bells.
Rolf Vernon was not the only aspirant
[OY the heart and hand of .Iessie Grew
md even the girl herself saw the r;ssl.y
yuing on between him and Laurance
aresham Gresham with his dark Italian
beauty Of eb0n hair and eyes, and clear
)liye skin that WAS such q contrast to the
Eai Engiish beauty Of the other, with |
he bright blne eyes and close cut blonde
mir and heavy golden moustache.
Aer1eosald@aa y=aae guess the girls
'hoice. Nor exQuiaitely partial to Rolf |
Until he was in Z seventh heaven Of |
lopeful anticipation, she would sud-
lenly neglens him i,e;n teddy and dii direct
IN her Witchinp wavs ~ N. Groshovn