Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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20 THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN the kitchen, for in one corner lay a heap of rust-eaten iron which might once have been a stove. From this room there v as a flight of stairs going up. They looked rather shaky, however, and I would have turned back, but now the spirit of adventure had entered Philip ' s soul, and he eagerly protested against such a thought. Indeed we won ' t, said he, his voice expressing fine scorn; so up those shaky old wooden steps we went. The steps objected and creaked ominously, but the top was reached in safety. Upstairs it was black as pitch, and the atmosphere very close ; rats scurried past, and once or twdce we espied the bright eyes of a garter snake. Light a match, Philip, I said, and let us see the place. Philip did so. As the flame blazed up we discovered a short passage in front of us with a room opening on either side of it. The place was as silent as the grave and our voices and footsteps echoed and reechoed through the deserted house. Cautiously Philip opened the door on the right side — just then the match burned out — I struck another. Its light fell on a room similar to the one below with the exception of its slanting roof. We passed out, disappointed. The other will be the same, let ' s go, it ' s getting lat . Philip ' s tone expressed baffled anticipation and discontent. I, however, struck my last remaining light, and opening the other door looked in. Philip! I shouted, Philip! ' ' Philip, w ho was halfway down the stairs, tore up again, three steps at a time. What ' s the matter? he cried, alarmed. There I stood shaking, yes, I must admit it. I always claim it was the cold, but Philip is apt to argue on this point. Philip, there is a man in that room, I whispered. A man or ghost, with a light, too. I never saw a more murderous-looking face in my life. Ghost! nothing! scoffed Philip, as he kicked the door open, first, however, drawing his pistol. Expecting to see Philip murdered I had mine ready also to defend him as best I could. What, then, was my surprise when he burst out into a peal of laughter. I peered cautiously over his shoulder, and his lighted match revealed — a full-length mirror. Ho! Ho! roared Philip, that ' s a good one! Murderous- looking ghost ! Ila ! ha ! Of course after a survey of the room, I was bound to admit I had been mistaken. Why will people leave their mirrors be- hind when they vacate a house? ALLEEN ERB.

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THE B RANK SOME SLOGAN 19 Galloping along a lonely country road we came to a little side path, and being venturesome spirits, urged our horse.s through the bushes covered with vines and wild creepers, and came on an old broken-dow n cottage. All around it were signs of neglect and desolatiou. We tied our horses in a dilapidated old stable at the rear of the house, and wandered up and down the deserted garden paths. So this was thej haunted house of which we had heard so much ! The place certainly gave ground for people ' s superstitions. Dead leaves were strewn everywhere, the autumn wind moaned plain- tively through the bare branches of the trees as if crying for a lost soul, and dusk had already overtaken us. My companion glanced nervously around and suggested in a subdued voice that we leave the place and proceed on our way. We were both well armed, however, and, not being superstitious myself. I felt a strong desire to explore the cottage. After a few minutes ' hesi- tation my companion consented, and we ascended the three rickety steps that led to the porch. The house itself was but two storeys in height, and if it had ever been painted the sun, wind and rain had done their work w ell, for the place had taken on that nondescript color which comes from long exposure to all kinds of weather. The few win- dows had been broken long ago, and cobwebs had taken the place of the glass. We pushed the old wooden door. With a mournful groan it swung slowly back on its rusty hinges, and we found ourselves in a long, dark passage. Just then a gust of wind blew in. What ' s that? exclaimed Philip, pulling me roughly by the sleeve, and starting back. He pointed to a doorway ahead, and I saw something white waving to and fro, Richard, I refuse to go any farther, he announced, this may be a den of thieves, Philip, I retorted, exasperated by his foolishness, that is nothing more nor less than a piece of paper blown by the wind. You forget that the door is open. Philip is younger than I and apt to be silly at times. We went on, A large square room opened off either side of the hall, dimly lighted by a single window, most of the plaster had fallen down, and beyond a pile of dirty rags in the corner of one room, we discovered nothing but filth and dust, which w ere in abundance everywhere. At the rear of the building one long room extended the width of the house. It had evidently been

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THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN 21 ht limliabk rs. ilartin. As I slowly descended the kitchen stairs on New Year ' s eve I heard Mrs. Martin, our charwoman, telling my mother that she could depend on her to help us out with our New Year ' s dinner party, which was to be held the following evening. When I reached the kitchen, my mother was congratulating herself on having discovered such a treasure who would work cheerfully on a holiday ; and, feeling quite content that all would be right on the m.orrow, we both had a fine night ' s sleep. I did the lunch dishes next day as in a dream, thinking of my new, frilly dress, which v as lying upstairs all ready to slip on. A little while after I heard the kitchen door close, and con- cluded that the dinner was already progressing in the capable hands of Mrs. Martin. But w hat a decision! An hour later my sister Constance rushed into my room, exclaiming excitedly, ' ' Elsie, my dear, Mrs. Martin hasn ' t come, and Aunt Tilda and Aunt Julia have arrived unexpectedly. What s7iaiJl we do? I cannot explain my feelings at that moment, as with a savage jerk I pulled off my dress, slipped into an apron and fled downstairs. Sure enough the kitchen was just as I had left it, no Mrs. Martin, and, conse- quently, no dinner. I dashed toward the sink, took a dipper of water and rushed toward the kettle, but alas ! in my haste and excitement I lifted a stove-lid instead of the kettle-lid and threw a dipperful of water upon the red coals. Fortunately no one was hurt, and after a few minutes ' confusion things settled down again. I never did more successful mathematics in my life than in the next hour. I calculated the number of plates, glasses, knives, forks, etc., for twenty guests, in the time it takes a turkey to cook. By this time I could hear some of the younger ones arriving and knew that Constance would have her hands full. Mother had no idea of the state of things in the kitchen, and we had decided not to tell her. Slowly the time wore on, till at last the dinner was really ready, and the guests entered. Of course they were surprised at my non-appearance, but as I knew very few of them, I do not think I was much missed. I had no sooner put the plum pudding on the table and returned to the kitchen than there was a rap at the door, and on opening it I found Mrs. Martin. At first I was frightfully angry.