The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-07
Lady DOliy's Fan.

Spread out against the opposite wall
is an old fashioned fan; very big, very
heavy, and curiously painted with scenes
of love and courtship. 1t belonged to an
ancestress of ours, who was a lady-in-
waiting to Queen Charlotte, and daughter
of the Ranger of Exmoor. Lady Dolly
that was her name-appears to have
been something more than hoyden, if
the tale told of her in connection with
the fan be true.
She was very pretty Cher portrait may
still be seen in the Book of England's
Beauty, published about 1770), and pos
sessed the most unbounded animal spir.
its, fostered no doubt by the fine open air
she breathed, and the freedom and ease
which characterized the courts of the old
Devonian squires Atseventeen years Of
age she was reputed the prettiest girl in
county famed for pretty girls; yet SC
far from having her head turned by
knowledge of her own beauty and fiat
terry, she had been known, on the eve OF
grand entertainment, to throw off hel
festal robes and jewels, disappear, and be
discovered dancing and jesting with the
village lasses.
No one could control her, but no one
could be angry with her. "Lady Dolly
was synonym to the rude cottagers for
miles around for all that was gracious,
kindly and pleasing; and although the
young squires were little afraid of her
Ishe was as handy with her fists as with
her tongue, and had wound up more than
one sharp retort with box on the ears),
there was not one but WAS head over
heels in love with her, or who would not
have given his life for her. In fact she
was the idol of the county, and it was a
sad day when, to crafty her mothers
ambition, she was carried off to do lady.
in-waiting's duties in London.
Amongst her many admirers was a
young Devonshire squire named Blake
He was fine, dashing young fellow, OF
good family and good means, but the
friends and advisersof Lady Dolly looked
upon him as an impudent acventurer for
daring to aspire 80 high. But she really
loved him, and nobody had yet thwarted
her successfully. When she was in town
with the court they correspondent; when
she returned to Devonshire for short
respite from her duties, they met and
walked together.
One night she was missing from the
paternal hall. Mr.. Blake was missing
from Bideford also. There was no doubt
about it-they had eloped.
Every measure was taken to stop the
fugitives; no po$t-chaise could leave the
county without being examined anc
Blake's rivals were foremost in the hunt
Some of the pursuers arrived at remote
inn on the borders of Cornwall late one
wild winter night. Beds were not to bt
had. for lady and gentleman had jus
bespokcn every room. Outside Il dooI
was yalise with the name "Franci
Blake, Bideford," upon it; this betrayed
the fugitive lovers The seekers ham
mered at the door Young Blake opened
it in person. One of the young squire4
intoxicated with the success of havin!
traced the runaway couple, called him {
coward.
The proud Devon blood rushed to hi
face, and he dealt the youth Il blow witt
his fist which sent him reeling dowI
stairs; but he paid dearly for his temer
ity. Ere he could recover himself, HI
was thrown to the ground by the othe
assailants, and in falling his own swort
pierced him to the heart Aroused b,
the clamor, Lady Dolly rushed out. ant
seeing Blake lying on the ground bathet
in blood. hurled the fan she held in he
hand at the heads of the stupefed squlres
disappeared, and was never seen again.