The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-12
Stlfrf Stnry.
THE HAUNTED MILL.

We had been belated one autumn eve-
ming and we're driving back to Newport
as fast as two spirited horses could whirl
our drag along, when my companion,
who had the reins, ierked with his whip
over his left shoulder, saying:
"Do you see that mill yonder? 1t is
said to be haunted. And heavens p he
added suddenly, "there comes a real
will -the.wisp to bear it out.".
The island OF Rhode Island, as some
Of my readers may, perhaps, be aware, is
one Of the few localities of the United
Estates where wind mills are of no unfre-
quent occurrence. / looked westward
as my companion spoke, expecting only
to see one of the ordinary wind-mills,
and rather credulous, / must confess, az
to it or anything else being haunted. But
what saw startled me.
1t was already quite dusk. The stars
were out overhead and the yoang moon
was slso visible, but far down on the ho-
rizon, and partially obscured by the au.
tumn mist that was now rising ominous-
ly from the low grounds. In front of
US was q bit of shallow water thickly
grown with rushes; beyond this some
stunted trees, With two poplars rising
dark in the distance; and little to one
side, on q piece of slightly elevated
! ground, o ruined mill that, with its bare
arms, and roof with everything gone
but the rafters, looked like some ghastly
skeleton blackened with age and tenn
pest. The evening breeze, that just rip.
pied the moonlight on the surface of the
pool and stirred the long rushes, ratified
with q weird sound through the ragged
ruin, as il q murderer was swinging in
chains. To crown all, and intensiiying
if that were possible the spectral charac.
ter of the scene, bright light, verita-
BILE will-o'.the -wisp, was Pickering and
dancing in the foreground, on the other
side Of the pool Though l knew that
this light was only gaseous exhalation,
its appearance, and at that moment, and
with it's surroundings, gave me, ! con-
fess, a start.
My companion had pulled up for
moment that I might see the better.
"It makes ones blood run cold," be
said as he gave his horses their heads
again. "And well it may" he added af-
ter moment, "for fearful tragedy was
enacted "a yonder mill fifty years or
nearly ago. I have often passed the
place after night, but it has never looked
so weird as now. You have perhaps
heard the tale. What7 No! Then I
will tell it as we bowl along.
"Not quite two generations ago there
stood, behind those two tall poplar trees,
fair and handsome house, the property
of . gentleman of fortune, who hyed
there with an only child, q daughter.
Helen Hayward, as all who knew her
united in saying, was one OF the most
beautiful girls Of her day. / have seen
miniature OF her by Malbone, in q
white dress of the style OF the first EN-
pire, with blue fillet in her hair; and it
fully bears out the verdict of her con-
temporaries. It was one OF those sweet,
heavenly faces that make even the worst
and most cynical OF us men believe in
woman's goodness and self-devotion
dark, luminous soft eyes, low, broad
forehead, rich, chestnut hair, sensitive,
delicate mouth, and an expression love-
lier than all the rest, because of instinct
With spirituality, and a high, heroic soul
1t was the face Of woman" he added
with emphasis, "for whom a man would
willingly die"
"Well," be went on after while, 'it
was the old story. She met and she
loved. The object of her affection was
q young naval lieutenant, with whom
she had become acquainted at ball,
given by him and his brother officers
while their ship was lying in the harbor
for Newport was then, as now, quite a
resort for men-oi-wsr. He was as hand.
some in his way as she was in hers; the
very beau ideal Of manly hero. His
family, too, was one of the best in Amer.
lea. His father had been General in
our War Of Independence, and his
mother descended from long line of
patriciar land holders in Virginia. But,
alasl he was poor; and poverty in the
eyes OF Hayward was the one sin that
never could be forgiven, at least in a
suitor for his daughter. The old msn
was known to be eccentric and Of vio-
lent passions, and was, suppose, mi
ser, loving money for moneys sake. He
had formed, it itappears, the most ambi-
tious scheme for bis child as conse-
quence of her beauty. She was to wed
. millionaire, and millionaires in those
days were scarce, and very much greater
men than they are now; she was to
queen it in New York and Philadelphia
society sbe was to leave this dull island,
even the United States, and be presented
at European courts and astonish the
princes and monarchs, as women far less
lovely had astonished them before.
When, therefore, he discovered that she
was in love with penniless officer his
wrath knew no bounds. He peremp.o o.
rily forbade the suitor his house, and or
dered his daughter TO define all invita-
tiops lest she should see Lieutenant Cav
endish at some ball or other entertain
ment. But what was bis rage at the end
of week to hear that Helen was in the
habit of meeting her lover, had met him,
indeed, every evening, and was intend.
ing to meet him again that very night !!
The place selected for their interviews
was q windmill, about a quarter of a
mile from the house. 1t was the girls
own maid that had betrayed the lovers.
Her mistress was accustomed to take her
as a companion, leaving her to watch
near by, while she met the Lieutenant
under the shadow Of the old tower.
'"Meets him!' cried the father white
with rage. AS 1 live, they shall never
meet again, or but once. / will first see
for myself, that she meets him, and
then
"The maid, when she heard these
words and saw that face, the face almost
of a maniac, so terrible was it's hate,
trembled for the result of her treac6ery,
and would have drawn back. But the
furious old man would not permit this.
He sternly bade her keep silence at the
peril OF her life. go with your mis-
tress as usual this evening" be said. 'And
mark! if I see any hesitation. l shall
know you have lied to me, and you shall