Haunted Mansion Stories- Tale of the Bride

I have not written the mansion stories. Indeed, I have only given them to you from The History of Gracey Manor by Kenneth Anderson. For more information about this amazing book, read the Haunted Mansion Prologue on this website. Some were recorded by others and I give credit where it is due. This one was save for us by Tina.

Tale of the Bride[1]

Name: Emily Cavanaugh Gracey - "The Bride"

Born: March 17, 1855, Winsocket, RI

Died: November 1, 1871

The second Mistress Gracey, Emily Cavanaugh, was born to the very wealthy Cavanaughs of Rhode Island. Being an only child, Emily was destined to inherit the entire family fortune. Much to her parents' dismay, she was a flighty girl and given to disappearing for hours on end, contemplating flowers or patterns on wallpaper. Much was done by her parents to teach Emily the responsibility of her station, but the girl refused to grasp the gravity of her situation.

When her parents were suddenly killed by a runaway carriage, the entire wealth of the Cavanaugh's fell on her unprepared shoulders. At the funeral she met Master Gracey, who having lost his first wife six years before, was prepared to offer her consolation and guidance. An impressionable girl of 16, she fell in love with the authoritative figure of the Master and his boyish good looks. When he proposed marriage, the unwitting Emily accepted.

The wedding was a beautiful affair and the bride was radiant. The trouble began on the honeymoon at the Gracey Mansion. Madame Leota waited there for the young bride, killing time until she could dispose of the nuisance. Being young, Emily was still coy and decided to play Hide and Seek with her new groom. So eager was she to begin this honeymoon game that she didn't even wait to change out of her wedding gown. She found herself in the attic, and hearing George calling her, she quickly hid in a large sea trunk. The trunk was uncomfortable and stuffy, and just as she prepared to come out of hiding; she heard the sound of scraping metal. Madame Leota had seized the opportunity and locked the trunk, the poor young bride suffocated.

-Tina

            Some have believed that it was mere coincidence that Leota found Emily in the trunk. Others wonder if she may have been frightened into hiding there. It is no secret that her veil was found near the trunk, thrown over the very hatbox in which it had come.

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[1] The Original Bride, Emily Cavanaugh, by Mandi Coleman on Flickr.com