The Cry at Midnight

y Parker and Jerry Livingston, had reached the su

the slim, golden-haired girl bent to adjust the irons of he

ghts like this one," she said regretfully. "

his gaze swept the snowy hillside, unmarked save

d high school. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, giving hi

reminded him. "This will have to

the valley!" the reporte

Though they started together, Penny soon forged ahead, desce

Every pine bristled with glowing icicles. Penny, feeling the rush

een the trees. Finally reaching the clearing, she brought up with

ry trip!" he praised. "I h

lided on to the fire where a group of noisy youn

aired girl in heavy red woolen snowsuit. She was on her knee

uld not have admitted it, she was slightly green-eyed whe

us!" Penny cried, sniffing the f

he steaming beverage. After they had finished eating

ise, before Penny could accept.

ose from other members of the party. Pe

romised Dad I would be in fairly early tonight. Lo

e if you must leav

ouise quickly. "It's parked on

ll ski down there and be

to go alone?" Jer

caught Penny by surpr

ed Abbington Monastery to reach you

ps of her ski poles. "Now don't put ideas into our

want me to go al

and I can handle any gh

to wave goodbye to their friends. Then they shot down t

stone enclosed by a high brick wall. To the right, inside the enclosur

catch up with her. Built generations earlier, the property first had been

uns, but as the buildings deteriorated, the property had

beside her chum to catch her breath. "A

?" deman

't broken! They'v

operty from going completely to wreck and

blic auction for taxes. I think a re

Penny remarked. "But who would want to live in that a

at an upstairs window

med. "I saw a movin

he

indow high on the stone

" replied Penny. "You

aw it plainly. It may have been from a lan

d, Penny removed her skis. Carefully placing the running

erview, a tower clock began

f-whisper. "I did see a light! Ma

er. "What are you trying to

ut

nd come on, my pet." Penny move

uise fumbled with her ski iron

word about ghost

dly toward the roadside where the car had been parked. No longer could they see the friendly camp

t, the old stone buil

he high boundary wall. In the deserted garden beyond the gateho

hum's hand and urged

ith one accord,

trance to the monastery, a big

se. "Why, never before have

unnerved. But she replied steadily: "Wh

walked to the gate, fingering the r

e pushed the ga

warned, her voice sharp wi

nts which led from where she stood to a circular stone gatehouse only a few y

, but the words

l, piercing scream. As the girls huddl

more terrifying, fe