Eastern High School - Echo Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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THE GHOST 0F SILVAN LANE Virginia Hooper, , 2 2 HE house was haunted! You would not have thought so, per- haps at first sight, for a prettier little cottage, nestling among sweet-briar and red roses, snowy White, with green doors and blinds, and sparkling little latice-windows, you could not wish to see. It stod within Squire Sil- van,s grounds and, of course, he was the owner. Yes, the cottage in Silvan Lane was haunt- ed. Several years ago, the squire's gardener, who lived there, had come home in the small hours in a terrible state of drink and had killed his wife. The next morning in impotent rage he cut his own throat. The tragic gardener and his wife were buried and the little eot- tage was Hto let. But untold gold could not have induced the people in the little town to live there. Squire Silvan stood at his study window frowning. ult's a hundred and fifty dollars a year clean out of my pocket, mused the squire, scowling at the haunted house. HSix years that cottage has been vacant, and six times one hundred and fifty is nine hundred dollars. Nine hun- dred dollars out of a man's pocket because a drunken brute comes home and kills his wife, and cuts his throat for his own amusement.u The Squire broke off with a very sour face, for Huttering in and out among the trees came a girlish figure, slender and graceful as be- came its ownefs eighteen years. iiAnd thereis another bother,n burst out the choleric squire, regarding angrily his only child. Hrve fed her and clothed her, and given her everything she could wish foreand what sort of return does she make me? Why, she goes and falls in love with a dandified, empty- headed, city counterjumper! And she wants me to let her marry him, and spend my money for me! No, Miss Eleanor Silvaan At this moment a servant came up and an- nounced: u A lady, sir, at the door, asking to see you, , sir. UA lady! Who is she? What does she want? HI don't know her, sir. It's about the cot- tage down the lane, I think. The squire opened his eyes. ant at last? uThe cottage, eh? Sameat once! Squire Silvan seated himself in his chair of authority, and the next moment Sam reap- peared, ushering in the lady, one tall and ma- jestic, who moved with slow, stately dignity. She was robed in the deepest mourning, a widow's cap encircling the pale, handsome face which gleamed behind a long crepe veil. uI heard, Mr. Silvan, the lady said, in a clear melodious tone, iithat you have a de- sirable cottage to rent. Now, I am in search of a small house; I am a widow, and live quite alone, and I have called to know your terms. uThe terms are nothing; the cottage is very cheap. Eight lovely little rooms, ma,am, and only one hundred and fifty dollars a year; beau- tiful surroundings as you may see, in the way of garden grounds; and water and gas on the premises. Its a dead bargain. The lady arose and surveyed the white cot- tage with a critical eye. Was it a ten- Show her in at once, uIt's a pretty place, she said, iia very pret- ty place, but it has its drawbacks, Squire Sil- van, turned to him with a charming smile. uI know all about the ghost! iiConfound the ghost! I beg your pardon, ma'am, but the people are such-well, fools! The only ghosts are the wind, and the rats, and the trees, and the moonlight, and their imaginations! You try the house, ma'am, and if the ghost bothers you, why, I'll ask no rent. There! I can't say fairer? No, it's a bargain, Mr. Silvan. 1,11 try it. My name is Mrs. Seaton and my husband has been dead seven years. So it came about that the Widow Seaton rented the haunted house and the following day the new tenant moved in. The squire be- came very much interested in the fascinating widow and made many visits to the little cot-

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6 THE EASTERN tage. One clay when he called he found her in a corner of the parlor, with a wild and hor- rified face. uGo, go away,H she shriekecl, let me see you again.n The squire stood aghast. NThe ghost! The ghost! exclaimed the widow, frantically. uI saw. the ghost last night and it spoke to me. Oh, oh, oh! And what the deuce did it say? gasped the squire, in utter consternation. HIt spoke of you! Oh, Squire Silvan! It was awful! All in white, and its throat cut, and streaming blood. It said you were a cruel tyrant, that you were breaking the heart of your only child, that a man who would treat an only daughter in this way would treat a wife the same. Now it happened that on the preceding day the squire had asked the widow to marry him, so, on hearing these words, his heart was much troubled. ' uAncl you won't marry me, unlesseunless I let Eleanor marry the drygoods man? Exactly, Squire Silvan. HWell, then, I'd a good deal rather lose Eleanor than lose you, so I promise to let her marry the man of her choice, if only you'll stick to your promise and marry me. So the day was set for the wedding, but when the squire went down to the little cot- iiancl never ECHO tage to claim his bride-to-be, his happiness was changed to overwhelming surprise and bitter disappointment when the Widow Seaton spoke these words: Wait a minute, Squire Silvan! I have been playing a practical joke-a pardonable one, I hope, and all because I loved your daugh- ter. There is but brief time to explain, since I start with my bride in fifteen minutes. Behold! Good heavens! had the widow gone mad? She took off her bonnet and veil, unfastenecl her cloak and skirts, and stepped outewonder of wonders! The bridegroom, George Lyon, the girl's friend from the city! HIt was I all the time, said Mr. Lyon, strug- gling with a laugh. ill was the widOWeCeorge Seaton Lyon. I never saw a ghost, and I never Try to pardon me, Squire Silvan, expect to. All's fair in love and War, when I am gone. you know. So the daughter was married and for some time after the wedding the old father would not speak to either his daughter or to his new son-in-law, but he came around in the end and forgave them. As for the stately Widow Seaton, nothing has been seen of her since; and the popular be- lief in the little town is that the house is cer- tainly haunted, and the crafty, plotting Widow was scared away by the ghost of Silvan Lane. H G933? E19 THE GREEN AND GOLD In the ancient realms of Calvert 'Neath the fairest southern sky, Lassies gay with joyful voices Sing the praise of Eastern High. Blithe are they, and true and happy, And their standard Firm they hold; Proud are they to he defenders Of Old Eastern's Green and Gold. In the fore you'll always find them, In their studies or in play, Placing all their foes behind them, In their sports they gain the day. For with all true Eastern lassies In their hearts this thought they hold, Bring new laurels unto Eastern, Honor to the Green and Gold. In their deeds of high endeavor, In the smallest task they've tried, Eastern girls all strive together, Working gladly side by side; For above all other passions Closely in their hearts they hold Lasting love for dear old Eastern And her colors, Green and Cold. When these days have passed beyond us, And we leave dear Eastern High, As we think of Alma Mater, Cherished thoughts will clim the eye. Though apart we all may scatter, Deep within our hearts we'll hold Mem'ries clear of old companions, And of Eastern's Green and Gold.