The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-07-27
The Lady and the Owl

the approach OF dozen red-ahd-
black witches, and the white-clad
ghosts gave her decidedly shivery
sensation. There was monstrous
black cat. couple Of gigantic owls
and several splndle.legged brownies.
81 wish you had masked, Aunt
Louise, it's lots of fun"
She smiled at the silver-spangled
fairy.
mo, dear, the chaperon shouldn't
mask. Are they all from the high
school, Margery?"
Eyes, except Charlie Days guest,
his cousin. I've never met him. Aren't
the bats and hobgoblins funny"
"They were not funny to Miss Lyn-
don-to her they were horrible. She
almost regretted consenting to act as
hostess and chaperon to this crowd
OF boys and girls.
"If anything should happen!" she
murmured neryously.
The guests were planning games
with youthful enthusiasm.
"You must play, too. Miss Lyn-
don," they cried.
NO. no." she protested, 81 would
rather watch you"
A big owl came quickly 70 her
side.
ITS all right, Miss Lyndon. See,
here Is the little girl row, with her
prize-two prizes, in toct!" as a
witch ran up with a toy cat in her
arms. and a brave young Brownie in
devoted attendance.
She Joined in other games with girl
ish pleasure. The Big Owl helped her
make a peanut-shell boat and sat be-
side her as the excited merry-makers
watched over the tubs Of water.
"Whose boats are those?" asked
the Black Cat, pointing to two,
that side by side bobbed merrily up
and down over the mimic waves.
Miss Lyndon's," cried several
voices, and the Big Owl nodded ap-
proval as the smaller owl said quiet
ly. miss Lyndon's and Cousin
Johns. You1l be lifelong friends;
that's the prophecy, Miss Lyndon
Miss Lyndon laughed, almost hap
PLY.
That's good" the Big Owl return
ed heartily. 81 choose you for my
partner in the Procession of Silence.
Put on a warm wrap"
The procession was forming and
the Big Owl waiting at the foot OF
the stairs.
you mustn't speak" he cautioned;
1--WE march three times around the
house and then to the barn to tell
ghost stories"
They peeped in at the barn win
dow; the maskers were huddled to-
gether in a "scary" group in the
CHASTITY, greenish light Of the burning
sponges.
q hope no one is really afraid,
she whispered. 1T is very exciting!
I haven't Joined in anything Of the
kind since" She stopped suddenly
with a deep-drawn sigh.
"Since your last Halloween party,
he supplied quietly
Eyes" she answered slowly, land
that was ten years ago. | did very
dreadful thing that night, and car
never forget it. l have never beer
happy since"
"Do you care to tell me about III?
he asked gently.
She hardly heard the question
she seemed urged to speak by some
hidden power.
at was at that next house, further
up the hill. My best friend LIVED
there. She had an older brother, anC
he-I-well, we were very goot
: friends, you know. We played games
Just as you boys and girls have dom
tonight. Bessie and went down t
the brook to see, in the water, tn
faces of the men we were to marry
While Bessie was kneeling, leanlnl
over the edge, | gave her a qu'cl
push, screamed as loudly as could
and ran"
She paused, shuddering. The Bi
Owl touched her shoulder sof.lI
, Don't try to tell any more. Yo
must have been very young ther
and"
81 was only sixteen, but wait-yo
can't know how unforgiveable 1t was
Bessie was hurt on the head b"
, sharp stone in the brook, and ell ne
g that or the fright affected her minC
I Her family went abroad was drea'
fully sick after that, and-and whe
| grew better no one ever mentione
Bessie Burton to me again!"
She covered her face, and sobbe
p unrestrainedly.
The Big Owl took her hands ava
: with gentle force.
- Don't cry! No one could blam
you. am sure"
, The lights in the barn died out, an
u the laughing crowd rushed to Il
d house.
o The Big Owl led her to the bal
door. mo fires, you see; and no i
tie girl left alone to be afraid-n
!, even you, Louise!'
a She turned quickly, and he snatc
ed the feathered mask from his rae
"It is /, Louise! You must not
a afraid"
J "John," she gasped. white al
trembling. John Burtoni Oh, t.
me-Bessie-"
Bessie Is well, Louise, well