Some spooky information I have uncovered about Millie La Mar, the inspiration for Ruth Vedette in The Bellows Book. Millie's real name was Emma Morrissey. She died at the age of 41 of cancer. She was buried in Pennsylvania! The name of the cemetery is West Laurel Hill. When I first began writing this story, none of this information was online. I eerily mirrored her life by having a character inspired by her settle in Pennsylvania. My name is Laurel, just like the name of her cemetery. Ruth's "real" surname is Moore. Emma's real surname was Morrissey. Her husband's name was Francis. Years ago I decided that if I ever have a son, I will be naming him Francis. Spooky similarities. I think now I'll have to write Ruth an eventual love interest. Maybe a professor who joins the circus to support his wife's passion, just like Francis did for Emma.