Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-25
TIDDLEI WINK0

81 am out of patience with those
two" said Emily.
"why so?''
Last night when that glorious moon
was on the river they sat indoors play
ing tiddley winksv'
"a sad tale of wasted opportunities"
said l. But what do you propose to
dor
Emily leaned toward me and in a
low, dramatic whisper unfolded her
idea.
| "Alone in the haunted Characteristic
her-in that moment their eyes are
opened to their love-she sees him as he
isp-
Heaven forfend," murmured.
"a common danger knits their souls
together, and-well--they get married,
you know"
"Yes," l replied. Emily's rhetoric
had apparently given out. $50 few es-
cape that. But still don't quite under
stand"
"You know the ghost at Manley abb
hey, where we are going tomorrow
Its never even left card"
"There's a haunted room, and
shall lock them up in it. When they
come out, they'll be engaged" said
Emily, nodding gravely, to express
wisdom beyond her years, which are
few in number.
But what is the nature of the ghost
ly manifestations" | inquired.
"You can hear chain rattle and
low wall"
l was little skeptical.
Somebody who was mad was
chained up by some one else and got
loose and killed some one"
"And only a wall and rattle to
commemorate all that?"
"Oh, people have seen things.
shah work the story up before lunch
tomorrow"
Just then cry Of victory and a
wave of the conquering mallet pro-
claimed the end of the game. and the
combatants approached us.
"You two look awfully solemn" re-
marked Miss Dolly. "Is it a gunpow
der plot?"
am still able to blush, but Emily Is
utterly brazen.
THE back fits horribly" she ex-
planned sadly.
Poor dear! Never mind. Come
with US. I'm going to give Harry HIS
revenge at tlddley winks."
"She thinks she can beat me, you
know. was little bit off color last
night" said Harry.
THE superiority of the sex must be
maintained" / remarked.
POOR calculated Dolly scornfully.
"You don't believe in it," asked.
"Of course not. l can give Harry
fifteen at tennis"
But In the battle of life the man is
the natural protector
please. your reverence, 1t isn't Sun
day." interrupted Dolly, with little
courtesy. Come along, both of you"
You would take me from grave con-
sideration of the battle of life
"To play tiddley winksw cried Dolly.
Rather! Come along"
/ went.
Next day we were to drive over to
| Manley abbey after lunch and return
late in the evening. Lady Emily had
arranged for moon.
During the meal my sister tried to
harrow the young souls of the lovers
with grewsome stories of'specters, es-
peclally the wailing shade attached to
the abbey. I noticed. however, that
| their appetites were unimpaired. In the
| brilliant sunshine of July day it is
| difficult to harrow.
| About 10 o'clock that evening. when
the moon had accomplished its task of
! modelling the landscape in ebony and
silver quitting it into half mourning,
said Emily. / was discussing the
dearth of agricultural labor with my
host, when my sister approached and
asked leave to take me indoors.
Mischief" inquired my host (who
knows my sister.
Business" replied Emily gravely
and led me away.
"They have been in half an hour, "
she whispered as we crossed the lawn.
"They should be done by now" l
agreed.
The haunted room was situated In a
wing of the house not used by the
present owner, and Emily and l were
often compelled TO grope our way along
in darkness.
"They were wild to see the room, so
I took them there. Then l slipped out
and locked the door. But it was awful
coming back alone" said Emily.
made no reply. My imagination was
busy with the picture of the madman
stealing along these silent corridors
toward his victim. Emily chung tight
" to my arm. Once she stopped, with a
CRY of fright. as a piece of furniture in
one of the half dismantled rooms ap-
peared like a crouching figure.
81 thought-it moved" she whisper
I'll