Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1889-10-11
BLACK HALL.
sarah X Bolton

Ridge mountains. angry flashes cleft the
gloom. thunder crashed and WAS echoed
from hill to hill. and the swollen streams
dashed headlong. taking rocks AMI fallen
branches in their course To the James.
Amid all this distracted nature an ob.
server might havespen the two lamps OF
the Amherst stage coach cleaning like
bleared eyes through the rain. as that
numbering vehicle. drawn 10y powerful
span of bays. dashed along the mountain
road en- route for Lexington,
suddenly bright. young face peeped
out of the coach window. and girlish
voice cried:
Driver. how near are We to Com
modore Develin'sy'
"Be thar in jus tree minutes, Miss.
Its dat are biz house on the hill yonder
all ablaze like"
moment more and they were driv-
ing into the grounds Again the i'm
patient girl essayed to look forth but
receiving cold dab on 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 a
lantern in one hand. and ninging open
the door with flourish. said loud enough
To wake the seven sleepers.
"Conadore Divilins, Missr
There were only two sleepers within,
however, but they opened their scared
eyes wide enough for seven. half expect
ing To see hiShwayman, 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.
Nicudemus followed with her trunk. and
taking the quaint brass knocker, repre-
senting a coiled serpent, in his hand, gave
a long. loud knock. which echoed far and
near. There was Il sound Of feet running
to the door-it opened-lights dazzled the
young traveller, and. amid ,ilyery laugh.
ter and ordinations 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 "a superb looking old
gentleman. with long, silvery beard,
white hair and fine. dark eyes, who held
ont warm hand. saying:
Welcome 10 Black Hall. Miss Grace,
Bring Miss Howard in to the fire.
said Mrs. Develiu. 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 Lenas
sweet. dove faced. little mother. who al.
vanced. radiant in welcoming smiles
just then l.ena's brother Bob opened
the front door He was quiet looking
fellow. with misChievous brown eyes.
who. when introduced, bowed shyly
blushed trifle, 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 ard she lei Grace up the broad
staircase.
"JesSe. addressing "A coIored man
bring up Miss Towards trunk.
Everything was new and strange 10
Grace: in' dark. wide halls, the colored
servant, who peeprd AT her ctIriousiy
and lastly Lenas room. with its dark
panelcd walls. heavily curlained win
Iows and bed, and the great wood fire
on the hearth,
"Oh. how Lowell = exclaimed she.
throwing herself into an easy chair, but
ON second thought Swinging up To caress
her friend
You dear darling. I haven't seen you
for six months
And I've been shut mp here all that
time" replied Lena. Who was "A tall
quiet blonde.
We'll. now, should really have en-
Ioyed that. Grace replied tossing her
damp wrappings over the back Of a
chair. because adore old houses and
trees. and romance, and ghosts Oh!
have you any ghosts here;''
well. yes, we have what they call
haunted room in the rear part of the
house. but none of US ever slept there or
saw the ghost
"Oh. do tell me about il = there
story connected with ia
Yes, quite little romance, Just
drop into that chair close To the fire and
I'll tell you the story"
Then. taking Grace's hand, she began:
Years and years ago. Grace, my
great great-great-gra who was
an artist. came over from England and
settled in this house with his bride,
very young and beautiful girl. who had
been hastily married to him by her faith
er TO prevent "A match between herself
and young Lord Somebody who was
her fathers enemy.
This hard hearted relative of mine
married her against her wishes. and
then carried her away, almost broken
hearted. To Il strange country, and into
this gloomy old house. He was double
her age, and jealous as he could be of
her former lover. whom he thought was
separated from her forever. But ii
wasn't SO. Grace. That young Lord