Jefferson High School - Nautilus Yearbook (Lafayette, IN)

Page 28 text:

4 i Q C56 0905111515 , y E The Tower House li l ll Near the town of Burlington stood an old, bleak-looking house, and 'A 1 ll 5 because of there being a tower on each corner it was called The Tower 5 House . It was gloomy in appearance and gave a queer feeling of dread to the few people who passed there daily. There were some superstitious people who would not even venture by the house because of strange lights 1 seen appearing at the dead of night. Those who dared venture close enough heard dismal wailing , M sounds that grew to moans T 'il 53 when the wind blew. The It - 'N house was the possession of a I 1' 4 man who had mysteriously if y disappeared after he had had sg. the misfortune of losing his p x money. Some people thought , i -5 he had committed suicide in rp 1 the house. 14 i V It was now near Christmas V a i , l I V if 'fr and the young people of the 'VA 3 Burlington high school had p decided to give a Christmas l.r.il' S play. Various duties were appointed to each one and it fell to Bob Hinton and Ed- ward Thomas to supply the Christmas trees. Bob decided the grounds around the tower house would be an ideal place to get the trees. Louise Hinton and her chum, Rosemary Van Briant, accompanied the boys. The day was dark and misty. Grey clouds hung low and threatening. They hurried so they would not be caught far from shelter if it should snow. When they had just reached the house the snow started coming down in flurries, in damp, sticky flakes so large that they could E see but a few feet before R them. The wind howled pg , F p E ff fs f 'C agar- E PAGE123

Page 27 text:

,. ,U .f' W1 1 M, . M ,vw - 1' ' I .4 K w .J , 4 1 ' 1 ' L ,l 1, .. ,ft 4 Y I ,rin-J ll U 1' '.4',. X ., '4',ff',,l'Y V V n 'f, f'f ' 'A '!g5Afg'.x7N9r - V, 'x'f'W'-MVT.. . , , , ,, 4 r w x iv, . 0'

Page 29 text:

one DSEICICIIIZUS among the huge cedars and they sought shelter in the tower house. They knew it would be useless to start for home as they might lost their way and freeze. The only light they had was that of a candle which cast lurid shadows in all corners of the room. Suddenly Louise became rigid and screamed. She knew someone was watching them. They peered around into corners until Bob happened to glance at an old picture of the owner of the house and saw the eyes move. He said nothing to the others but walked over to the fireplace, placed his hands on the top and gazed at the picture. Suddenly a door at the side of the fireplace opened. He had accidentally found a secret door. He motioned to Ed for the flash- light, then arming himself with a tong from the fireplace started up the stairs. A crash came from the back part of the house, followed by a dead silence. Bob finally threw off his feeling of apprehension, told Ed to stay with the girls, and started upstairs again. The room in which he found himself was large and lofty with long, narrow windows and rich old draperies musty with age. Bob pulled aside a piece of tapestry and found the wall covered with fantastic figures expressing the loneliness of man. In the farthest corner stood a table on which were tea, bread and cakes. Expectantly beside it stood a man. XWhy have you come here? he dryly queried. We sought refuge from the storm here and the girls were frightened. I saw the eyes move in the old picture and started to investigate. The man laughed and replied, You saw my eyes. Didn't mean to scare you so, I just wanted to see if there was any danger of me being detected. I gained fame in my own country as an artist but when I came to America I traveled everywhere and was unknown. Wfhen I reached Burlington my funds were nearly exhausted. By accident I learned about this house and the fear the people have of it. Thinking it a good refuge I took possession immediatelyf, But what was that terrific noise that I heard a few moments ago? asked Bob. I shall explain everything. First, bring up your friends that they may refresh themselves on what little food there is left. 'tBut what about the lights and the howling noises? Weren't you afraid? asked Louise. He smiled and replied, No. I brought precious gems and rich cover- ings with me from Europe and fearing their discovery hid them in the chimney. The wind howling through the chimney makes the very wierd noises you heard. A while ago the roof of one of the towers caved in because of the great weight of the heavy snow.', 'tBut the light, where is it?', cried Louise. Oh, yes, that must have been the nights I went in search of my brushes. As I neared the windows the candle invariably went out. That is the only account I can give for it.', Rosemary rose suddenly exclaiming, So these are the mysteries of the Tower House. W In i 52 I n l I CCCCC ppp E if Q 1 E PAGE 124