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

.lTHE HAUNTED HALL
Such magniicently grand old placc
it was-immense gloomy. picturesque
and so strongly favoripg old time day.
when fair women wore fsshionably the
Costume of five hundred years ago, and
were courted by lordly knights in plume'
and swords. and embroidered velvet
lshort-elOthes; when love was true and
ardent as to-day--the love of those who
centuries ago lived, and died, and srt
forgotten.
1t was glorious place TO romance over
to reyel in, to explore, and Jessamine
Grey, when she first stepped across the
modern little bridge so light and elegant,
where had once been a cumbersome great
ldrawbridge, gave expression TO her de.
light in enthusiasm that amply repaid
her indulgent father for having given
way to his daughters latest whim, the
purchase of Blue Court Hall, which for
years and years had stood grim, deserted,
/ picturesque, and the transformation of
portions of it into an elegantly comfort
able gentleman's country place; trans
formation which, at fabulous cost, had
not been permitted to interfere material
y with the solemn grandeur of the place.
Mr. Grey looked s.eadfastly at Rolf
Vernon as Jessamine ciasped her gioYed
hands in irrepressible ecstasy; and Rolf
Vernon turned his handsome, lazy blue
eyes admiringly upon the girls Piquant,
lively face.
sob, papa oh, papa it is perfect, it
issublime. Only see those great, glori-
ous towers rising up beyond those sway
ing solemn trees and the windows,
papa, those darling little diamond panes,
set so heavily in lead! Why, 1 can
easily imagine am about entering an
old baronial castle Can't you, 3ir.
Jessamine's shining black eyes were full
on his face; her delicately flushed cheeks,
her wind-blown hair, her slender, will
lowy figure, all appealed to Mr.. Vernon,
as they had been in the habit of doing
lately, and his blue eyes took in a sparkle
of something more than admiration as
he answered her:
" quite agree With you, Miss Jessie
Blue Court Hall is superb. And, be-
sides all the visible attractions, there is
doubtless its legend, which viii be in
good keeping with its ancient grandeur
and hoary beauty. And you like trsdi-
tions?"
He had a remarkably pleasant voice,
sweetly intoned, and a quiet, leisurely
way of speaking that was well bred
grace personifed.
Mr.. Gray leaned over the slim iroE
sides of the airy little bridge, looking
down into the clear lakelet beneath the
lakelet that once had been moat, but
which art bad transformed into a swift,
charging current, cool aud sparkling.
"There is legend, of course, although
l must confess 1 have forgotten it.
remember bearing the agent for the
COurtland family say that the red room,
an apartment on the second heor, was the
reputed scene of the tragedy from which
the tradition of the usual restless ghost
sprung
Jessie listened breathlessly
"a ghost, papa real live ghost
Oh, how splendid 1 do hope it is
lady, beautiful lady, who died for
love- Papa, am going to consult the
diagram, and select the red room for my
very own"
And as she walked on ahesd of the two
gentlemen, so fair, 90 winsome, SO full of
grlish cxuberance and grace, Rolf Yer
non wished that all he had to do was to
select her for his "very own"
The summer days at Blue Court hall
sped by as if on enchanted pinions.
Guests by the dozen idled away the
ong delicious days, whence sultry heat
eemed to have fed, and where cool
11eezes seemed always softly blowing
rom the adjacent hills, or off the rip
bling lake, or among the huge spreading
rees.
Life was an idyl there, that blessed
time. Happiness, content, gayety
md innocent reyelry ruled the day, and
n her role 0: hostess, Jessie Grey was
he perfection of glad, unfeigned vel.
ome.
And Rolf Vernon was not the only one
ybo was enchanted with the fair, sweet |
-irI whose laugh was mirth idealized, |
whose fresh, gay voice was sweet as the |
hime of silver bells,
Rolf Vernon was not the only aspirant |
or the heart and hand of Jessie Grey |
nd even the girl herself saw the rivalry
oipg on between him and Laurance
,resham--Gresham with his dark Italian
eauty of ebony hair and eyes, and clear
live skin that was such a contrast 10 the
air English beauty of the other, with
he bright blue eyes and close-cut blonde
air and heavy golden moustache.
Nor could any one guess the girls
hoice. Not exquisitely partial to Rolf
ntiI he was in q seventh heaven of hope
nI anticipation, she would suddenly
egIect him pointedly, and direct all her
itching ways at Mr.. Gresham.
And so the little Irritation went on;
,e midsummer days came and passed,
nd September, the glory of the year,
rought its golden haze, perfect sunsets,
nd deIiclously cool nights aDtil storm
& ina storm that came suddenly up
ver the sea one night, and surprised