The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1878-06-07

them all with its dun dripping skies and
bowling winds, one morning when they
arose after late evening frolic in purest,
clearest moonlight.
Then the order of exercises was sud.
denly changed. Carpet dances and
| billiards, parlor crOquet and amateur
theatricals, tableaux, and charades took
the places of outdoor amusements. And
still the storm held on. day after day,
until it seemed that blue skies would
never shine again, until invention was
exhausted, and the young people began
to wonder what in the world they would
do to keep alive.
ooh, I've just thought of something
perfectly glorious. Well read the story
of the legend of Blue Court Hall. It's
written in the funniest little crampy
hand on old yellow parchment, and then
we'll explore the haunted room, shall
we? thought that the room / have,
that used 80 be4I.zdy -Sieily's, was the
haunted one, but il seems it isn't. And,
oh tonight is the anniversary of Lady
Sicily's tragic death--the very time old
| Magan says we can have our future read
for us by her spirit if we're brave enough
to go into the haunted room alone"
Jessies delicious Bit of information
was received with various expressions of
satisfaction or the contrary; some relig-
iously believed the legend some indig-
naDtly repudiated such a ridiculous su-
perstition. A few were alarmed, and
some-- Rolf Vernon and Laurance Gres-
ham, were instantly in for the novel
sport of the thing.
"Of course Wen pay Lady Sicily
visit! Is there man with gallantry so
deficient as TO refuse audience to the fair
seer, who doubtless broke hearts
ruthlessly hundreds ofy years ago.
Mr.. Gresham laughed at Rolfs
boyish enthusiasm.
Agreed, Mr.. Vernon, that we all
inquire our fate at the lovely ghostess'
hand But, first for the romance, the
1t was curious party that gathered
round the roaring IRE in the immense
hall that night, for with the storm and
damp had come chilly cold, to listen to
the tragic story of the love and hate of
centuries ago that had been enacted
within the same walls where they sat.
And this was the wsy the legend went,
not resd from the old yellow parchment,
but related in Mr.. Grey's inimitible way
from memory.
Nearly three centuries before a great,
rich, powerful English family had built
the grand old pile in true baronial style.
and set up their hearthstone with all the
pOmp and circumstance that immense
wealth permits and naughty blue blood
demands.
For more than three generations the
Elfincourts, father and con, ruled the
house; and fortune, peace, plenty, happi-
ness, and gayety reigned supreme--un-
til, between two brotheEs, there arose q ]
fury of jealousy and hate, caused by .
beautiful young cousin who, coming to
visit the Elfncourts, had fascinated the
two young men with her remarkable
beauty and witchery in grace, until it
seemed to them matter of life and
death who should win Lady Sicily Fair
fax for his bride.
She played with them both: she played
fast and loose with them, now maddening
them By her influence, now leading them
to the heights of hope by her sweet
graciousness; and then, in very reck-
lessness OF consequences, bethrothed her.
self to them both, with injunctions of
strictest secrecy to each to keep their
secret
For a while her demure sweetness suc~ |
ceeded IN completely preventing the
slightest suspicion of her treachery to
either brother, both OF whom knew him
self the favored one /; and so perfectly did |
Lady Sicily play her part that both |
Lord Darrell, the elder brother, and |
Rupert, the younger, began to repent of |
their Ot-headed jealous anger, and |
actually began to plan how to conciliate /
the other when the inevitable news of 1
the betrothal must be announced.
OF the two brothers Rupert WAS the /
he was tail, well>built, with I
the true English blonde curling hair
that matched his fair face; while Lord
Darrell was darker, graver, and not SO
given TO the admiration of women and !
the love of their society.
OF the two Rupert was the one more
likely to win q woman's heart, while
Lord Darrell was heir to the great wealth
Of the Elfncourts; of the two Rupert
was the mere open, a SUMMER disposition,
frank and noble, less given to deceit and
suspicioD-and it was this fair-haired
lover, who, with Lady Sicily's passionate
kisses on his lips, never doubling her
truth, never dreaming of her depravity
and treachery, voluntarily offered to
leave his love with his brother while he
across the ocean to bring for his
bride elect treasures she told him she
must have.
And while he was gone Lady Sicily
was married to Lord Darrel-her nus
band all unconscious of the treachery to
which he was party.
There was revelTy, mirth and music
md Lady Sicily rejoiced in her heart that
iha had played her cards 50 well--that
he was to be the mistress of all the
grandeur and splendor, of the trusty
servants and retainers of the aristocratic
I'D family.
Guests thronged the magnificent halls
who had travelled far and would
Itay long. Flags were flying, pleasure
boats were floating on the lake, flowers
we're blooming, everything was fair as
'outh, health, happiness, and sunshine
'ould make Lady Sicily's weddIng>day.
And then, when the evenings CAV
was over, and laughing
had escorted the fair bride
o her chamber and left her alone, then
he curse of Elfincourt fell, for, having
ecretly and unexpectedly arrived in
witt vessel, Rupert, the deceived, the
had hidden himself in the
To meet face tn face the |