The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-06-28


dreds of years ago."
Mr. Gresham laughed at Rolls boyisl
enthusiasm.
agreed, Mr. Vernon, that we all in
quire our fate at the lovely ghostess
hand? But, first for the romance-tht
legend of Blue Court Hall"
1t vas curious party that gathered
round the roaring fire in the immense
hall that night-for with the storm and
damp had come chilly cold-to listen tc
the tragic story of the love and hate oi
centuries that had been enacted within
the same walls where they sat.
And this was the way the legend went
not read from the old yellow parch-
ment, but related in Mr. Grey'S inimita-
bic way from memory.
Nearly three centuries before great
rich, powerful English family had built
this grand old pile in true baronial style,
and set up their hearthstone with all
pomp and circumstances that immense
wealth permits and hearty blue blood
demands.
For more than three generations the
Eliincourts, father and son, ruled the
house; and fortune, peace, plenty, ,happi
nessand gayety reigned supernatural,
between two brothers, there arose a fury
of jealousy and hate caused by a beautiful
young cousin who, coming to visit the
Elincourts, had facinated the two young
men with remarkable beauty and witch
cry of grace, until it seemed to them a
matter of life and death who should win
Lady Sicily Fairfax for his bride.
She played with them both; she played
fast ard loose with them, now madden
ing them by her influence, now leading
them to the heights ofhope by her sweet
graciousness; and then, in very reck-
lessness of consequences, beirothed her
self to them both, with injunctions OF
strictest secrecy to each to keep their
secret.
For a while her demure sweetness
succeeded in completely preventing the
slightest suspicion Of her treachery TO
either brother, both of whom knew
himself the favored one; and so perfect
ly did Lady Sicily play her part that
both Lord Darrell, the elder brother, and
Rupert. the younger, began TO repent of
their hot-headed, jealous anger, and act
ually began to plan how to conciliate the
other when the inevitable news of the
betrothal must be announced.
Of the two brothers Rupert was the
he was tall. well-built, with
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 woman's heart, while
Lord Darrell was heir to the great wealth
of Elfincourts; of the two Rupert was
the more open, SUMMER disposition,
frank and noble, less given to deceit 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 mis- 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 Darrell her hus-
band all unconscious of the treachery to
which he was party.
There was reYelry, mirth and music,
and Lady Sicily rejoiced in her heart
that she had played her cards so we'll
that she was to be the mistress ofall the
grandeur and splendor, of the trusty
and retainers of the aristocratic
old family.
Guests thronged the magnificent halls
guests who had travelled far and near
and would stay long. Flags were flying,
pleasure boats were floating on the lake,
flowers were blooming-everything was
fair as youth, health, happiness and SUM-
shine could make Lady Sicily,s wedding
day.
And then, when the evenings gay
entertainment was over, and laughing
bridesmaids had escorted the fair bride
to her chamber and left her alone-then
the curse of ElfEcourt fell, for, having
secretly and Unexpectedly arrived in a
swift-sailing vessel, Rupert the deceived,
the betrayed, had hidden himself in the
bridal-chamber to meet face to face the
terrified girl. The interview was short;
passionate words, bitter recriminations,
invecives of despairing love and raging
fury passed between them. and then
Rupert, maddened by her beauty, that
was forever lost to him by her treachery
and insulting deceit, took her fair young
life and left her stretched in her own
blood on the floor of her chamber.
And then, insane with rage, he waited
like madman-waited until Lord Oar
rel came to his bride, to find her warm
IN her own life stream, to be sprung
upon by Rupert and thrust through the
heart by the same rapier that had slain
Lady Sicily. And then be turned its
trusty edge through his own breast, and
the three lay there-a CHASTITY trlo-untll
the morning revealed the horrors OF the
bridal chamber.
Directly afterward the castle was
abandoned by the family on whom the
shadow had fallen too horribly Tor con
tinuance there, and for years and years
it stood silent, grim and deserted Whiie
villagers declared that the
spirits of Lord Darrel, and Rupert ana