The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-06-28
Seirrf Story.
THE HAUNTED HALL.

Such magnifcenuy grand old place
it was-immense, gloomy, picturesque
and SO strongly flavoring OF old-time days
when fair women wore fashicnably the
costume of five hundred years ago, and
were courted by lordly knights in
plumes and swords, and embroidered
velvet short clothes; when love was trus
and ardent as to-day-the love Of those
who centuries ago lived, and died, and
are forgotten.
1t was a 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 ell,
egant, where had once been a cumber-
some great drawbridge, gave expression
to her delight in enthusiasm that amply
repaid her indulgent father for having
given way to his daughters latest whim
the purchase Of Blue Court Hal, which
for years and years had stood grim, de-
serted, picturesque, and the transforma
ton of a portion of it into an elegantly
comfortable gentlemen'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 Jessamine clasped her little
gloved hands in irrepressible eCstacy;
and Rolf Vernon turned his handsome,
lazy blue eyes admiringly upon the girls
piquant, lovely face.
"Oh, papal oh, papal its perfect-itis
Only see those great glorious
towers rising up beyond those swaying
solemn trees-and the windows, papa
those darling little diamond panes, set so
heavily in lead. Why, can easily i'm
agine am about entering an old baronial
castle, can't you, Mr. Vernon"
Jessamine's shining black eyes were
full on his face; her delicately 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
sparkle of something more than admira-
ton as he answered her.
"I quite agree with you, Miss Jessie;
Blue Court Hall is superb. And besides
all the visible attraction, there is doubt
less its legend, which will be in good
keeping with its ancient grandeur and
hoary beauty. Do you like traditions?"
He had remarkably pleasant voice,
sweetly intoned, and quiet, leisurely
way of speaking, that was well-bred
grace personifed.
Mr. Grey leaned over the slim iron side
Of the airy little bridge, looking down
into the clear lakelet beneath-the lake
let that had once been a moat but which
art had transformed into swift, changing
cool and sparkling.
There is legend, of course although
| must confess that have forgotten it.
| remember hearing the agent for the
Courtland 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 breathIessly.
"A ghost, papa. real live ghost! Oh,
how splendid! l do hope it is lady, a
beautiful lady, who died for love? Papa,
l 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 exuberance and grace Rolf
Vernon wished that all he had to do was
TO select her for his very own.