Mondovi High School - Mirror Yearbook (Mondovi, WI)

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THE HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR 3 LITERARY CHRISTMAS IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE. Set far back from the road, and down in a deep hollow, was a rambling old homestead, rapidly falling to decay. The land, gradually sloping down from the road, and the th ck woods and shrubbery about it, completely hid the house from view, and yet people knew it was there and unconsciously hurried their steps as they drew near. Strangers arriving in the village, and starting in the (Erection of the “Old Mansion,'’ as the place was called, were warned to hurry past it and not to lo'ter on the road after dark. The many insinuations that the house was haunted never failed to bring, at first, a smile to the listener’s face, but it would slowly disappear when acquainted with the numerous rumors regarding the mysterious homestead. In awed tones the people would declare, that at nights shadowy lights would come and go in the upper windows, a ghostly figure would flit from room to room, a woman’s voice would shriek out as if in terrible agony, and at times, there would float out upon the night air, strange, weird music. These tales naturally daunted the most fearless, and with some petty excuse he would turn away, and take a road that did not lead past the Haunted House. So far over a year things had gone on; the mystery remaining unsolved, the people living in terror of the ghost who was supposed to hold revelry alone on those dreaded premises. The influence that this specter held over them was so powerful that they were afraid to hunt it down lest it should avenge itself upon them in some strange, merciless way. I'or tins reason the ghost was left in peace and the inhabitants of the village contented themselves with keeping out of its way and advising others to do the same. A week before Christmas, a crowd of some twenty girls, with their chaperones, arrived from the city. Calmly they announced their intention to hold a house party in the haunted house until after New ’t ears. 1 his t me the people's warnings fell upon unheed ng ears. With some misgiving, and, it must be confessed, a great deal of curiosity, they watched the outcome of the reckless adventure. The girls took up their abode in the “Old Mansion” fearlessly and decided to unravel the mystery, if such a thing were possible. Travelers passing on the road above heard shouts of merry laughter coming up from the great hollow. and once in a wh'le were greeted by the girls themselves, who, coming up to the roadside would mischievously question where that fearful ghost had disappeared. The people seeing them safe and sound would laugh in relief, and say that perhaps the whole affair had been invented by some superstitious person. Christmas day was drawing to a close. Gathered together in a great room were the girls who had defied all warnings, and had dared to try to solve the mystery that enveloped the very house they were in. For some unaccountable reason they were restless and started up at the least disturbance in the deserted rooms below. hat was it. they wondered, that filled them with an unknown terror? Was it the

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------------------------ Table of Contents Christmas in the Haunted House........3-4-5-6 An African Pocahontas 7-8-9 Junior Fables...............................9 Why the owl's eyes are so large.............9 Sancho, the giant killer 10-11 A little girl's visit to Fairyland.........11 Editorials............................. 12-13 High School Notes 14-15 Demosthenian............................16 17 Studenten Vereiv...........................18 Athletics.............................. 19-20 Domestic Science Department................21 Commercial Department......................22 Agricultural Department....................23 Alumni Notes...............................24 Exchange................................25-26 Everybody Laugh 27-28-29 s

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4 THE HIGH SCHOOL MIRROR Storm that dashed with fury against the rattling panes, the wind that shrieked and moaned in the tree tops, or the fact that they were seated in. darkness, the only light in the room being that which came from the open tire? For some time they had been sitting in silence and then were startled from theft- dreaming to hear a girl remark, Say, girls, you have always wanted to know where I went to at a certain hour every day since we've been here, haven't you? Well, I've decided to tell you. The very first day we came 1 happened to go back in the woods a short distance and there 1 discovered a large lake. Its current is so power-t'gul that it has not frozen yet, and I stood watching it for some time, thinking what an ideal place it would be for skating later on, when 1 was startled to catch a glimpse of a bright red figure, disappearing in the trees ahead of me. 1 started in pursuit. Site led me a merry chase and finally I lost her. 1 forgot all about the incident then, thinking that perhaps it had been some one from the village trying to frighten us. When I was about a quarter of a mile from the house I stopped to rest a moment, and on looking about me 1 was surprised to again see that red cloak. This time the girl did not see me. She was sitting on a rock by the lake, lookiitg out with wild eyes across the water. 1 went nearer and addressed her. At first she paid no attention to me and then suddenly she sprang up and bounded away. F.ach day I returned to the same spot and waited for the coming. She has the most beautiful face I have ever seen and for some reason that face haunts me tonight. 1 wonder who she is aitd why she always sits in that same place by the lake, looking into that far-away, as if expecting some one who never comes. As she finished, a slender girl of perhaps sixteen, came out of the shad ows, and seating herself before the fire, began, Shall 1 tell you girls a stqry ? There was a chorus of assent as they drew hearer to her and prepared to listen. For an instant she hesitated, and bent toward the fire. The flames illumined her face and more than one person present thought to herself, llow pretty Caryl Courtnav is. Her light brown hair was brushed low upon her forehead and the curls were caught loosely behind with blue ribbons. Her eyes were of a dark, unfathomable blue, sometimes merry and laughing, but more often the dreamy eyes of an artist or a musician. She drew back and her face was again in shadow. She started to speak and then w-as silenced by a sound coming up from below. They heard the hall door opening oh its rusty hinges, heard light and htirr'ed footsteps coining up the rickety stairs, and heard them stop at the very door. There was a knock. Those in the room did not move and scarcely breathed. The knock was repeated. One of the chaperones rose and after turning on the lights, she stepped to the door and threw it open wide. All was dark without, and no one was visible. lfie next moment a figure appeared on the threshold. The girls shrieked and drew back, for there stood the girl of the t;cd cloak. She was drenched with the rain, but still stood motionless. looking in upon the frightened group. The chaperone drew her forward and up to the fire. The hood of her cloak had fallen back, and revealed a face, gloriously, wonderfully beautiful. The dark, disheveled hair clustered about her forehead in heavy waves, and in great contrast to its darkness was the White, despairing face beneath it. And those eyes! One