San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1889-11-14
BLACK HALL !

A great storm was abroad In the Blu,
Ridge mountains; angry flashes cleft tn,
gloom; thunder crashed and was echoed
from hill to hill, and the swollen streams
dashed headlong, taking rocks and faller
branches In their course to the James.
Amid all this distracted nature an oh
server might have seen the two lamps o.
the Amherst stage coach cleaning lik,
bleared eyes through the rain, as tina
numbering vehicle, drawn by a powerful
span of bays, dashed along the mountain
road en- route for Lexington.
Suddenly bright, young face peepet
out of the coach window, and a girlisl
voice cried:
"Driver, how near are we to Com
modore Dcvelin'sy'
"Be thar in JUS tree minutes, Miss
It's dat arc big house on the hill yondcl
all ablaze like"
A moment more and they were driv
ing into the grounds. Again the i'm
patient girl essayed to look forth, bu
receiving cold dab OH the cheek from
the wet leaves, she fell back impatiently
and listened to the heavy, wet boughs
as they brushed the top and sides of the
coach.
Suddenly the stage stopped, old Nico
demus jumped down in the mud, with O
lantern in one hand, and fiinging open
the door with a flourish, said loud enough
to wake the seven sleepers,
"Coinadore Divilins, Miss!''
There were only two sleepers within,
however but they opened their scared
eyes wide enough for seven, half expect.
ing to see highwayman, but, being re.
assured by Nicodemus' bobbing wool
head and smiling black face, they laid a
contented hand on their pocketbooks and
bade farewell to the young lady, who
quickly leaped into the mud, and, pick
ing up her dress, ran up the broad steps.
Nicodemus followed with her trunk, and
taking the quaint brass knocker, repre-.
seiiting coiled serpent, in his hand, gave
a long, loud knock, which echoed far and
near. There was sound of feet running
to the door-it opened-lights dazzled the
young traveller, and, amid silvery laugh
ter and exclainations of delight, she was
clasped in the arms of her old school
mate, Lena Develin.
"The north and south have met" said
the commodore, and the little traveller
turned to behold superb looking old
gentleman, with long. silvery beard,
white hair and fine, dark eyes, who held
out q warm hand, saying:
"Welcome to Black Hall. Miss Grace"
Bring Miss Howard in to the fire."
said Mrs. Develin, appearing in the parlor
door.
Although Grace had never before met
her friends family, their warm greeting
made her feel very unceremonious; SO she
ran with smiling face to meet Lena's
sweet, dove faced, little mother, who ad-
vanced, radiant in welcoming smiles.
Just then Lena's brother Bob opened
the front door. He was n quiet looking
fellow, with mischievous brown eyes.
who, when introduced, bowed shyly,
biushed trife, and strobe on to the din
ing room, shaking the rain from his
slOuch hat.
"Now come to my room and get on dry
clothes, said Lena. "You look wet and
cold" and she led Grace up tho broad
staircase.
Jesse" addressing colorcd man,
bring up Miss Ioward's trunk"
Everything was new and strange to
Grace; the dark. wide halls, the colored |
servants, who peepod at her curiousIy.
and lastly, Lena's room, with its dark,
paneled walls. heavily curtained win
lows and bed. and the great wood fire
On the hearth.
"Oh. how lovclyi" exclaimed she,
hrowing herself into on easy chair, but
III second thought springing up to caress
Ter friend.
You dear darling. haven't seen you
or six months"
And I've been shut up here all that
ime." replied Lena, who was a tall.
uiet blonde.
"Well. now, should really have en-
Dyed that" Grace replied. tossing her
amp wrappings over the back of a
hair. "because adore old houses. and
rccs. and romance, and ghosts. OhI
ave you any ghosts hereY'
"Well. yes. we have what they call
aunted room in the rear part of the
ouse. but none Of US ever slept there or
Nv the ghost"
'Oh. do tell me about II. Is there a
DRY connected with itY'
YES, quite n little romance. Just
rop into that chair close to the fire and
II tell you the story"
Then, taking Grace's hand, she began: ,
Years and years ago. Grace. my ,
eat-great-great-grsndfather. who was =
! artist. came over FROM England and
tiled in this house with his bride, a
,ry young and beautiful girl. who had :
en- hastily married to him by her faith !
10 prevent a match between herself \
d young Lord Somebody who was ,l
z fathers enemy. 4
This hard hearted relative Of mine Il
AuHed ner against ner WISHES, am =
en- carried her away. almost broken |.
arted. 10 q strange country, and into =
is gloomy old house. He was double =
2 age, and jealous - he could be Of =
? former lover. whom he thought was /.
1arzted from her forever. But il
l1t 30. Grace That young Lord y
svOre that he would rescue
Z vet- AZ BE- had 70 u1urdcr lcr hus-