The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-01-16
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ISFODEL CASTLE.

first erected. The rayages Of war have
filled many land with sorrow, and the
angel of peace has often visited the world
bringing balm to the weary. Empires
have arisen, aud, like the paIng of Il star,
have disappeared from the armament of time
since that remote period.
1t is written on the pages of tradition
that this castle was built by Lord Hide
brand Il retiring gentleman, who cared
little for martial display, but preferred the
unobtrusive quietude OF a solitary life.
He rarely engaged in any of the numerous
tournaments that were so prevalent in
those days-not that he lacked the courage
to minglc in the combats, nor for lack of
confidence to cope successfully with the
different participants.
Lord Hildebrand possessed a mind
whose functions tended more to a literary
or an artistic life than to the study of war
fare or any of its relations. His soul was
deeply aesthetical in its perceptive qualities.
He beheld beauty in nature that seemed
cold and rude to others. In the con-
struction of the castle of Isfodel there had
been displayed so much grandeur and
beauty that it seemed as if it had been
erected as a mansion of retirement instead
of means of defense. The former intan-
tons were at first proposed by Lord Hide
brand, but it was not long after the com
pletion Of the castle that the Danes invaded
that portion OF the country, and then Is
fodel was altered from qpie5 retreat to
place Of defense, its elevation and sur
rounds greatly adapting it as a stronghold,
and so, after many weeks of eXertion in
attempting to take it, the Danes finally
Withdrew, leaving the castle still in the
possession of Lord IIlldebran nd and a few
companions.
At the time of our narrative Isfoiel had
undergone many changes since the days OF
its former p0sseSsors. 1t still, however,
presented the same granite appearance.
The wild, wrlthful ocean beat against the
base of the cliff on which the castle stood,
and dark and lonely appeared the great
forest a few rods away. Lord lIildebran,I
and many of his followers had passed awav
to the land Of the soul.
Finally Isfodel fell into the possession of
Lord Hurdron, an exceedingly unpopular
man, OF crabbe disposition and darl;ened
reputation. He was dOnineering in ms
conduct toward those beneath him IN social
standing, and added to this, he bore such
Il selfish spirit that he won the re. pact oil
only few persons.
Very different in her nature was Lady
Ella, the only daughter Of Lord iIurdron.
She possessed al! those qualities and
accomplishments that tend toward the
development of true womanhood. She
was greatly liked by all who knew her,
and well did She merit the love that her
friends bore her.
If there was one thing to which Lord
Iiurdron was violently opposed, it WAS
that Lady Ella should marry a man who
possessed not wealth and bore not the title
of nobleman. She well knew her fathers
antipathy to her forming an intimacy with
any OF the lower class. SILL this did not
deter her from seeking the company OF
Roland Hitter and with whom she had
fallen deeply in love. He possessed moth
intr in his notrt,r that nvnn I ard IIu,Ir,r