The Worthington advance., 1879-05-01
Lady D0lly's Fan.

Spread out against the opposite wall
is an old fashioned fan; very big, very
heavy, and curiously painted with scenes
of love ccurtship. 1t belonged to an
ancestress of ours, who was lady-in-
waiting to Queen Charlotte, and daugh-
ter of the Ranger Of Exmoor. Lady
Dolly-that was her name--appears to
have been something more than hoy
den, if the tale tcld Of her in connection
with the fan be true.
She was very pretty Cher portrait may
still be seen in the ''Book of Enelandis
Beauty" published about 177O). and pos
sessed the most unbounded animal spir-
its. tos'ered no doubt by the fine open air
she breathed, and the freedom and ease
which characterized the courts of the
old Devonian squires. At II years of
age she was reputed the prettiest girl
the country famed for pretty girls; (;
Yet SO far from having her head turned
ooy knowledge Of her own beauty and
nattery, she had been known. on the eve
of a grand entertainment, to throw off
her testal robes and jewels, disappear,
and be discovered dancing and testing
with the village lassea.
No one could control her, but no one
could be angry with her. "Lady Dolly"
was synonym to the rude cottage1s tor
miles around for all that was gracious
kindly and pleasing; and although the
young squires were little afraid of her
(she was as handy with her fists a. 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 country, and it was
sad day when,to crafty her mothers am
bltlon, she was carried off to do lady-in-
waiting's duties in London.
Amongst her many admirers was
young Devonshire squire named Blake.
tie was fine, dashing young fellow, of
good family and good means, but the
friends and advisers of Lady Dolly looked
upon him as an impudent adventurer for
daring to aspire so nigh. But she really
loved him, and nobody had yet thwarted
her successfully. When she was in town
with the court they corresponded; 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
tugitives; no post chaise could leave the
country without being examined, and
Blake's rivals we're foremost IN the hunt.
Some of the pursurers arrived at re-
mote inn on the borders of Cornwall late
one wild winter night. Beds were not
to be hal. for lady and gentleman had
just bespoken every room, Outside the
door was valise with the name 'sFrancis
Blake, Bideford," upon it; this betrayed
the fugitive lovers. The seekers nam
mered atthe door. Young Blake opeaed
it in person. One Of the young squlres,
intoxicated with the success of having
traced the Runaway couple, called him
coward.
The proud Devon blood rushed to his
face, and he dealt the youth blow with
his fist which sent him reeling down.
stairs; bat he paid dearly tor his temer
ity. Ere he could recover himself be
was thrown to the ground by the other
assailants, and in falling, his own sword
pierced his heart. Aroused by the clam
or, Lady Dolly rushed out, and, seeing
Blake lying on the ground bathed in
blood, hurled the fan she held in her
hand at the heads of the stupefed 'squires,
disappeared, and was never seen again.
London SOcietu