The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-02-21
Fov 7He ArkaHsdsO TraVets,
 THE MYSTERY OF MUSTIN.
BY MADDEN.
]" He was aw fully smote
 Ae thev soA in inc h Naf IT

AS they SAt m tue U lot'
 -Msder. HeyN.
 One afternoon upon an August day, a little boat giided from among the lily leaves that fringed dark old lake, hidden in the wolf-haunted vines and cane of a swamp in Arkansaw; and skinned lightly beyond the reflected shadows into the water which the de. clining sun lighted into sea of lanbent fire
 Some said that the heat and light upon the lake was not all due to the sun but that within its owa bosom, hidden deep below the mud, among its mysteries, was latent fire, that at intervals famed up, and made the water almost boil. Whether this was true CT merely folk lore, origin ating in old grandmothers, to prevent too frequent natatorial excursions by their unruly grandsons, the young man and woman in the boat did not know nor did they seem greatly to care, for the light paddle, with which he propelled the tiny shell, and struck showers of golden beads from the glowing water, kept time to the trilling of merry song. A blithe- some song, at which the leaves on the great moss covered trees, that for more than an hundred years had stood silent sentinels on the slimy banks of the old lake, and groaned and sighed when winter winds whipped her waters into whimpering, seemed to twitter for very joy. And the vines that twisted and climbed about the gnarled trunks, rustled and rattled as if to encore the singer. The wind kissed her cheek and toyed with her golden hair, as if its spirit loved to fondle one like itself, free and jubi- lant.
 Verify, had an old pioneer of fifty years ago, seen the boat and heard the song the lake would have possessed one more mystery-a fairy queen.
 The song is finished. The boat giides on, and except where, now and then I huge gar, Hopping out and falling back into the water, makes wide receding circles, the surface of the lake is un- stirred.
 Put your paddle down and tell me the story of Muslin as you promised me. so love to hear strange, weird tales and you know you said there was one con- nected with the name."
 Her blue eyes raising, caught his own fixed upon her. The oar blade trailing cut lightly the water.
 "Yes; there is curious story con- nected with Lake Muslin and if it is true it is indeed a mystery; but Stella, there is another mystery to me more difficult of solution. When will you solve it?"
 A slight rose-tinge quivered for mo- ment upon her cheeks, as with eyes upon the water she entreated: "Now, tell me the story, please, we will talk of that at another time."
 A shade of disappointment came into his eyes, but he concealed it with smile, and adjusting his line, dropped the silvery bait into the water, and began
 Long time ago, about the beginning of this century, there suddenly came into backwoods village in Moreland, a little, withered old man. Nobody knew who he was, upon what errand he travelled, or whence he came. They simply knew, that late one evening, he had come from the south, riding magnificent horse, with gilt trappings; that he wore gray clothes and jeweled buckles and wide brimmed hat, and that on his coming he had inquired for the priest, by name, and had gone to his house, but they knew nothing more. The good villagers, un- used to having strange visitors, were curious to ascertain who this old man might be. And when he came upon the street, as next morning he did, every body was on qui vive to catch a glimpse of him. The astute doctor and the pert young lawyer, oolder than the others, in turn approached him and each was in- fatuated by his courteous manner and affable replies; but when in turn they had grown too curious, the old mans suave evasions and digni6ed reticsnce eluded their most skilled questions, while quaint smile he wore, seemed inviting them to new defeats. At last, dis appointed, they retired. The simpler folks heard of their champions discom- 6ture and kept at respectful distance, satisfying themselves with what their eyes might show them. Each man, woman and child, old enough ts guess at hull gull. had some peculiar theory to effer. Some said that he was an excommuni- cated priest; others learned doctor, others broken down gentleman, and Al T. Al -e.