Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1898-11-26
THE OLD MILL MYSTERY $
BY ANNA EodARTY.
Written for this paper. I.
saa,as
BY ANNA IsooARTY.

DAVIS SnOulu Oe lne stOry telleI' El'l-
bwas tall, stately girl, with eloquent
blue eyes and fair hair that curled
naturally over pretty low forehead.
On this particular occasion she wore
D handsome blue cloth gown that set
OH her blond beauty TO the very best
advantage. Opposite her sat her hand
some, dsrk-eyed rival, Maud Evans
hkaud had been asked TO be the story
heller. She declined. Then some one
eurned to Emily, and she promised TO
hell a real true Halloween story, but
then Emily could ford to be gracious.
Df the two handsome rivals she had
been the chosen one. Next month she
Ezould become Mrs. j. Sidney Orr, wife
vf the rising young attorney.
Making a graceful little bow to the
company, Emily began in her low,
eweet voice: Once upon a time, there
was convent situated on the pret-
icst, most graceful, and picturesque of
eiopes, far from the noisy din of city
Rhe, ard but n short distance from n
Beautiful winding river. On the east
ern bank of this river, and within
sight Of the convent, stood an old mill
hRt had long since fallen into decay
and ruin.
"One afternoon late in October
group of convent girls decended the
slope facing the river. 1t is true
STORY, you know, and was in the
party. What n romantic place an
old mill is remarked one of the girls.
FOne always thinks of the miliers'
Daughter. md her life is sure to have
had sad beginning and sad ending
Eyes! and the villain contemplat ting
foul murder is sure to lure his inno-
cent victim within the four walls of
an old tumbled down MILL" added an
ether.
"Every time look toward this old
min 1 am reminded of Tom and poor
Maggie Tuliver," came In plaintive
little voice from the rear.
With one accord we all turned to see
Who was reminded of that sad story
every time she looked toward the west.
u was Kittie Mather, and merry peal
d laughter echoed along the hills at
Che bare idea of nything making Kit
lie sad. She was the most hardened
ettle rebel in our school, but we all
bOved her; she was as true as steel and
always kind and sympathetic.
But, to go back to my story, we had
Dad all this time been approaching
0earer to the ruined mill.
Wouldn't II be q splendid place to
rome on Halloween" said Bell Mon.
Seith, ''to learn the name of ones fu-
eure husband?"
We were all interested; we had never
beard of finding him out in this way.
Tell us about it, Bell; what do you
Boz" we chorused.
why, don't know exactly what
words you repeat, but you throw ball
Of yarn into a ruins, keeping hold of
ahe end of your yarn, and ask his
same"
oh! II would be splendid. but who
vas brave enough to say It? We dis
sussed the subject on the way back
20 school, but nothing was decided
spon. The next day, however, the
subject was brought up again, and Bell
Informed us that she had recalled the
Hords TO be repeated. l, for instance.
Hs throw my ball of yarn into the
ruins, would say, as Emily Davis un-
winds: Oh! ruins. canst thou tell
~ho wlnds?" repeating this three
Zines. Each girl supplied her own
Rame, of course.
Well, we decided TO try It, so we wait
sd anxiously for Halloween. Finally
Il came, clear, moonlight night, and
about 40 girls were ready for the lark
zach supplied with her ball of yarn.
The trouble now was to get out. We
we're not allowed outside the building
after six o'clock. We decided to go in
little parties Of three and four, and in
that way we would not be missed, but
about Is minutes before the first party
was to start Sister Mary Agnes, our
prefect, told US she was called away
far awhile and would leave Kittie
Nather in charge of the recreation
room. AS soon us the door closed be-
hind Sister Agnes, Kittie rose and
said: "Now, girls, for the ruins. Did
Yon ever know anything to come SC
timely as that summons? A meeting
ef the faculty, suppose. Let Others
talk of the irony of fate, we at least
san never say that the fates were not
hind TO us on one occasion. Now, gel
sut as stealthily as though you were
30 many men getting in at two O'Clock
IN the morning"
Forty footpads never stole out more
cautiously than did we 40 girls, bent OF
Isarning our fate. Once outside the biz
white gate we knew we were safe ant
VIC literally few down the green roat
to the mill. Within short distance o.
the place we halted, and Bell said
-Youk know, you must go alone. Throw
the ball of yarn in at the north win
dow; it is the lowest" she advised
some of the more umid ones protested
against going alone.
What is the use in playing the gam,
IL you don't play it right?" argued Bell
ITO be alone is the most essentia
thing in all Halloween games"
Finally, after some argument, w,