The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-12-19
A LEGEND OF THE
MISTLETOE BOUCH
II was an old legend now, q hun
dred years old at least Genera
t.nna haA .nrna and ynna a,a a..

tions had come and gone, and the
weird OF Barham Hall had never
once given sign or coming into full
nliment, 80 what need was there for
fsari 1t was true that mistletoe Was
at last growing on the boughs OF the
old hawthorn in the Vote sward. But
IL was Christmas eve, ana the bells Of
Barham church were ringing Christ.
mas chimes,
More than 100 years ago Roger Lyn.
dale had done that which perhaps was
NOT an honorable thing. Roger had
woosd farmers daughter, but Lad
not married her, and she Tad died at
his gates. Across the grass levels,
now covered with snow, the old farm
house could still be seen, mute with
it's history.
Not a soul OF Druscilla Ives time
vas alive in the old homestead
strangers were under its roof paying
tribute to Barham Han, as Druscillas
father had done.
But the descendants of Roger Lyn-
dale were still at the hall, with link
between them and the story or the old
Vote farm.
For, strangely enough, Druscilla had
died on Christmas eve, ana the legend
OF Barham Hall had come from her
UPS:
wnsn mistlstoe grows ON the old Vote
thorn
NO child 10 u Lyndals VIII s'sr be born
So she had prophesied, ana the pre-.
berry could be piucked from the old
hawthorn standing alone on the green
sweep OF the Vote sward OF Barham
park the race of Lyndale would be-
come extinct.
And now at last mistletoe was grow
Ing ON the Old thorn!
Yet there were laughter ana gayety
In the hall. The great open fireplace
IL the wainscot room was heaped up
with glowing, cracking fule logs, and
all was q bright sparkle or merriment
and good cheer.
Yet there was some little awe after
all, although IL had been cast of like a
cloak thrown into corner. for the
legend at its worst was not without
qualification 1t had second couplet,
" nich ran:
But ne that would nobly this curse undo
Must lowly maid Wed ana TO her be true.
When that saving grace was attach
ed to the legend aud when the weird
had been worn out by the passing or
century what was there to fear?
Good gracious! What is thatp ex-
claimed Lady Lyndale suddenly. Not
the choir again SURELY They've been
ana gone"
A voice was singing:
when mistleeos grows on the old Yots
thcrfs.-s--..-.-tsr. .,.a.. ...s...... To-
NO child to eiLyndale Will e'sr be born.
But he that would nobly this curse undo
Must iowly maid weo ana TO her be rue
1t was the weird, and 1t was being
sung by woman's voice to the lie
frain OF '.The Mistletoe Bough."
What could 1t mean?
III must be somebody" said ROLAND
Lyndale when 1t became certain thai
the voice had finished. I'm see who
1t Is"
With the words he crossed the room
drew aside the curtains or one or the
windows and looked out upon the
snow.
It's strange" murmnred Roland
turning to his father. who still sat be
side the hearth. There's no one here
sir"
NO" replied Sir Godfrey; 81 di'
not expect there would be. 1t wa
some impertinent person from'the VII
isge, that Is evident"
Leo aud Dorothy should be almos
here now" said Lady Lynoais pres
emily. II wonder whether 1t ~ Ia
snow that's made them late"
The butler appeared and hsnded'Lyl
dale telegram.
lis 1t bad news. Geotrreyf '' aske'
Lady LyDdale.
Yes, Millcsnt," he replied INA Or
tone. LEO has been taken Ill wit
pneumonia, fearful thing at AN
time, and he's not strong. You ca
eee," he added. handing the messag
TO his wife. dorothy says she'll WIZ
at once If itjbecomes critical"
The children still laughed ana play
ed, but the .elders became grave.
poor old Iionell l hope he WI
pull through It," Lyndale murmurtn j
an uneasy voice.
Not many Lyndales were left. I'm
stricken Lionel was Sir Geourey
only brother. aud Roland was his on
son
Roland Lyndale had parted from n'
airy spirits. Ever since the inciden
Of the voice he had been In changed
subdued mood
And when dinner was over'he rouh
an opportunity to steal out Into IN
snowy night.
There were footprints there. ON
the shrubs had prevented his seem
the strange visitor when he opene
the window.
Which way had the singer gonef
For some moments Roland stoo
glancing from spot to spot.
Over the face of the moon the<sho
clouds had now fitted. but Rolar
could see the old hawthorn stanNliI
sione on the whitetexpanse OF the D