The Mystery of Wickham Hall (1914)

The story opens in England two hundred years ago. The lands of Sir Henry Marston are forfeited to his neighbor, Sir John Wickham, for debt. Nadine, Marston's daughter, loves Arthur, her cousin. Wickham has tired of Netta, his mistress, and he offers to cancel the debt if Nadine will be given to him in marriage. Nadine sacrifices herself and marries Sir John Wickham. Netta, intensely jealous of her new mistress, wins back Sir John's affections, although Nadine has already home him a daughter. To further her interests, Netta writes Arthur to come at once. To this letter she signs Nadine's name. Arthur rushes, as he imagines, to Nadine's aid. He encounters Sir John. There is a duel and both men are killed. Four generations later, the drama is again taken up. Among the ancestors of the actors in the ancient tragedy are, Nadine Wickham, her father, Sir John Wickham, Arthur, the betrothed of Nadine, and Sir Henry Marston. Netta, a coquette, is suing for the favor of Arthur, whom she loves. On this occasion the lands of Wickham are forfeited to Marston for debt. Marston offers to cancel the debt if Nadine will consent to be his wife. She flatly rejects this proposition even at the risk of ruining her father. However, Netta is at work with her evil intrigues. Knowing that Nadine has an appointment with Arthur, she precedes her to the rendezvous and pretending a sprained ankle, allows Arthur's arms to encircle her. Nadine sees and misinterprets the situation. Stunned, she returns home and accepts the marriage proposal of Marston. It is an old family tradition that the ghosts of Wickham Hall appear only to the daughter of the house on her wedding eve. Nadine is left alone at midnight in the ancient hall. She sees again the tragedy of Wickham Hall. In the meantime Arthur imagines that he hears Nadine calling him. He rushes to Wickham Hall. He finds Nadine prostrated and determines that she will not marry Marston. Wickham dismisses Sir John Marston and Arthur enfolds Nadine in his arms.

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