The Red Cloud chief., 1878-05-23
THE HAUNTED HALL.

Such n magniiicently grand old place
I, was-immense. gloomy. picturesque.
and so strongly tisvoring Of old.time
DAYS when fair women wore fashion
ably the costume of five hundred years
ago. and were courted by lordly knights
in plumes aud swords, and embroidered
velvet short-clothes; when love was true
and ardent m to-day the loves ~ those
who centuries ago lived. and died, and
1are forgotten.
1t was n glorious place to romance
over, to revel In. to explore. and Jessa-
mine Grey. when she first stepped across
the modern little bridge 81 light and
elegant. where had once been . cum.
bersome great draw-bridge. gave Ell.
preston tO her delight In enthusiasm
that amply repaid her indulgent father
for having given way to his daughters
Astest within - the purchase of Blue Court
Hall. which for years and years had
stood grim. deserted. picturesque. and
the transformation VI portions Of Il into
an elegantly comfortable gentleman's
country place-a transformation which
ut n fabulous cost, had not been per-
Iultttu Va ihtett'tVt aoN'''e'v wv" s"'
solemn grandeur Of the place.
Mr.. Grey looked satisiiedly ut Roll
. Vernon as Jessamine clasped her little
gloyed hands in irrepressiblc ecstacy
and Rolf Vernon turned his handsome.
lazy blue eyes admiringly upon the girls
piquant. lovely face.
:.Oh. papa! oh. papa! it's perfect its
sublime! Only see those great, glori'
n towers rising up beyond those sway
ing solemn trces-and the windows
papa 49, those darling little diamond
panes, set 81 heavily In lead! Why.
can easily imagine | Am about catering
An old baronial castle! Can't you. MIR
Vermont"
Jessamine's shining black eyes were
full on his face; her d~elicately aushe'
cheeks. her wind.blown hair. her slen
der. willowy figure. all appealed I o Mr.
Vernon. as they had been In the hAbi
Of doing lately. and his blue eyes tool
in a sparkle Of something more than AL
miration ~ he answered her.
II quite agree with you, Miss Jessie
Blue Court Hall Is superb. And. be-
sides all the visible attractions. Their
il doubtless its legend. which will be- !
good keeping with its ancient grandeu
and hoary beauty. DO you like trad
tiOns?"
lie had a remarkably pleasant voice
sweetly intoned. and u quiet. leisursl
way Of speaking. that was well-bre
grace personitied.
Mr.. Grey leaned over the slim iro
sides Of the airy little bridge. lookin
down into the clear lakelet beneath
the lakelet that had once been u mos
but which art had transformed into
swift, changing current. cool n spSr'
ling.
.There IL n legend. Of course, q
though | must confess ] have forgotts
IL. remember hearing the agent Il
the CORTLAND family say that the IL
Room - an apartment on the se'or
fioor-wxs the reputed scene of the trMy
edy from which the tradition Of Il
usual restless ghost sprung.
Jessie listened breathlessly.
"A ghost, papa! . real live ghos
Oh. now splendid! LIDO hope II IL
lady, q beautiful lady. who died 4
love! Papa, Am going to consult u
diagram, and select the Red Room u
my very own"
And M she walked on ahead OF Il
two gentlemen. so fair. NO winsome.
full of girlish exuberance and grac
Rolf Vernon wished that all he had
do was TO select her for his very own
The summer days ut Blue Court III
sped by ~ IL on enchanted pinions.
PGuests by the dozen idled away q
long delicious days. whence sultry he
seemed to have He'd, and where ca
breezes seemed always softly blowiI
from the adjacent hills. or OIL the RI
pling lake, or among the huge sprea
ing trees. H..
summertime. Happiness, content "a
\ ety, and innocent revelry ruled the ID
and in her role Of hostess, Jessie CIR
was the perfection OF glad. unfeign
welcome.
And Rolf Vernon was not the on
one who was enchanted with the IA
sweet girl whose laugh WA mirth ide
lied, whose fresh, gay voice Was sw'
As the chime Of silver bells.
Rolf Vernon was not the Ouly -
rant for the heart and hand Of Jes
Grey-and even the girl herseif saw
rivalry going on between him Q
Launce observation-disclosures with
dark Italian beauty Of ebon hair Z
eyes. and clear olive skin thss was o.
a~contrAst to the fair English beauty
the other, with the bright blue eyes
close-cut blonde hair and heavy golt
mYFtache.
nor could any y guess the 81
choice. Now exquisitely partial to !
until he was In 3 seventh heaven
hopeful anticipation. she would sud-