The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-12-20
A LEGEND OF The
MlSTLETOE BOUGH

1T was an old legend now, a hun
dred years old at least Genera
tions had come and gone, and the
weird of Barham Hall had never
once given n sign of coming into full
Gllment, 80 what need was there for
fear? 1t was true that mistletoe was
at last growing on the boughs OF the
old hawthorn In the Vote sward. But
1t was Christmas eve, and 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 bad
wooed a farmers daughter, but had
not married her, and she had died at
his gates. Across the grass levels,
now covered with snow, the old farm
house could still be seen, mute with
Its history.
Not a soul of Druscilia Ives time
was alive In the old homestead.
Strangers were under It's roof paying
! tribute to Barham Hall, as Druscilla's
father had done.
But the descendants Of Roger Lyn-
dale were still at the hall, with link
between them and the story of the old
Vote farm.
! For, strangely enough, Druscilla had
died on Christmas eve, and the legend
of Barham Hall had come from her
lips:
When mistletoe grows on the old Vote
thorn
No child to a Lyndale will e'er be born.
So she had prophesied, and the pre-
diction meant that when the white
berry could be plucked 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 and gayety
in the hall. The great open fireplace
in the walnscot room was heaped up
with glowing, cracking Yule logs, and
all was a bright sparkle of merriment
and good cheer.
Yet there was some little awe after
all, although 1t had been cast off like
cloak thrown into a corner, for the
legend at its worst was not without
qualification. 1t had a second couplet,
which ran:
But he that would nobly this curse undo
Must lowly maid wed and to her be true,
When that saving grace was attach
ed to the legend and when the weird
had been worn out by the passing Of
century what was there to fear?
Good gracious! What is thatT' ex-
claimed Lady Lyndale suddenly. Not
the choir again surely! They've been
and gone"
A voice was singing:
when mistletoe grows on the old Vote
thorn
No child to a Lyndale will eer be born.
But he that would nobly this curse undo
Must lowly maid wed and to her be true"
1t was the weird, and 1t was being
sung by a womans voice to the re-
frain of THE Mistletoe Bough."
What could it mean?
at must be somebody" said Roland
Lyndale when 1t became certain that
the voice had finished. "I'll see who
It is"
With the words he crossed the room,
drew aside the curtains of one of the
windows and looked out upon the
snow.
"It's strange" murmured Roland.
turning to his father, who still sat be-
side the hearth. There's no one here,
sir"
NO" replied Sir Godfrey; 81 did
not expect there would be. 1t was
some impertinent person from the vii
lage, that is evident"
LEO and Dorothy should be almost
here now," said Lady Lyndale pres
emily. 81 wonder whether 1t is the
snow that's made them late"
The butler appeared and handed Lyn,
dale a telegram.
as It bad news, GeoffreyT' asked
Lady Lyndale.
! "Yes, Millicent," he replied in a dry
: tone. LEO has been taken III with
= pneumonia, fearful thing at any
time, and he's not strong. You can
see," he added, handing the message
to his wife. Dorothy says she'll wire
at once II 1t becomes critical"
The children still laughed and play.
= ed. but the elders became grave.
= Poor old Lionell I hope he will
pull through It," Lyndale murmured in
an uneasy voice.
Not many Lyndales were left. The
stricken Lionel was Sir Geoffrey's
only brother, and Roland was his only
: son.
Roland Lyndale had parted from his
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