Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-11-18
The Haunted. Room.
BY ALICE Il.

Wtlt hAtu VII lIl' iaNc VI VIC bSAoi'
her with an asking, earnest gaze.
81 don't think l shall, Dotty," was hi'
quick reply. 100 expensive, my darling
Il thousand dollars year. You are disap
pointed" he added, as her white hand fel
from his arm.
80, so much '' was the reply, in low,
panied tone. II had set4my heart upon
it,"
"Now, I'm very sorry for that. Ol
course it's beautiful house, and cheap 70,
the size and style-almost new, too. Why,
Dotty, YOU re not crying about it?"
20, it's no mattcr--don't mind me" she
said, in the same low, quiet tones. II can't
help being little foolish about it. was
willing 10 give up great many things if We
could get it-go without new dresses and
the set Of silver you promised me. l Sc
wanted that house."
"Well, it is pleasant, of course it is-per.
feet little palace. But then rather too fine
for US, Dotty. By-and-by, when | get a few
thousands ahead, why. l shan't mind"
"No, but we shall never sec annother
house so completely suited to my mind"
Young Rutherford threw back his head
and laughed.
81 couldn't help it, Dotty, dear. IF you
could sec your rueful face as you said that p
"Of course, you laughed at me-you al
ways do" she retorted, spark Of anger in
her soft blue eyes. "You can always do as
you like; I must wait your pleasure"
snow, Dotty, that's not fair" he said
seriously. "You must see that l study your
comfort and happiness much more than l
do my own. Why, darling, you are the
pride and glory of my life, and We have
been very happy in this pleasant house.
We never feel pinchcd and anxious here ;
we have money enough to spend on our
simple pleasures, and to crafty Dot.the-
less in her little fairy cradle here. Why
should We want to change and take on care
and anxiety?"
IL don't see, Herbert, that a few hun
dred dollars more ought to signify" replied
the little woman, toying with her watch
chain, her fearful eyes downcast. "And
you know have been SO used to hand
some home"
Herbert WINGED.
"The rooms are very much larger than
these, Dotty."
'And We have great deal too much fur
niture for this house. | never go into the
parlor and see that beautiful Stcinway that
uncle gave me without feeling mortified. 1t
is absolutely almost as large as the ROOM"
'New carpets, Dotty."
"Ouly for the parlor; and do think we
might have one handsome carpet. You
promised me that, you know"
"Have you kept the key of the house ?"
"Yes." She looked up quickly, her
countenance changed the sweet blue eyes
all the brighter for the vanished shower.
"Will you go and look at it2"
"There's no harm in that, I suppose"
he said, with long sigh, as he lifted him
self YEARLY like tired man. Dotty hur-
ried for her bonnet and shawl, set the good,
plain little nurse to watch he baby, and
tripped square off at the side Of her hus-
band, like one walking on air.
Such beautiful garden !" she said de.
ightel!y, as they gained the place.
TO keep in order," he responded.
20, Herbert, don't think so much of dol
lars and cents. You will grow misery. l
can save enough out of the housekeeping to
pay for it thrice over. There, isn't this
lovely?"
Herbert thought it was, as the two stood
together in the spacious parlor.
1.-The four French windows led upon the
balcony. The design of the chandelier was
exquisite, the freshness and beauty Of the
decorations could not fail to please man Of
refined taste.
"Ah but SO dear!" he calculated, as
they entered room after room, to fnd in each
some new and convenient feature. II sup
pose l could take it," he said, "if saw fit
to help Lawson"
''In what way?"
"By working nights. But when he made
me the offer l couldn't think Of it, for
felt it would be purgatory to spend my
evenings anywhere but in your dear COM
pany. felt little fear, besides, as I'm
not overstrong this summer that it might
pull me down. However, that may be pure
ly selfish reasoning. If you think it would
add to your happiness l will close in with
this offer at once, but shall mover be homo
till nine, perhaps later. Farewell our cosy |
chats and pleasant reading"
'But, Herbert, / have Pet, and nine is not
so very late we might sit up a little longer,
Besides, could pass the time agreeably
with books and music. "
| She did not sec that look of sadness that |
clouded his Ease as she said this that deep.
ened almost into anguish before she glanced
towards him. 1t hurt him to tho heart to !
have her acquiesce SO readily. Could he
have done so2 No, not for all the houses
an land in the world.
The place was taken, It cost money to
move, money for carpets, money for some
extra furniture but Dotty's pleasure was
contagious. Herbert tried to persuade
I. .:...sn A.. 1o b,d Jopa a rooI thiuu and /