Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-07-01

TOulu Ino room, winch struck me a
unuSnal-in modern houses bell-wlre
are generally concealed-but | made N,
remarks on my discovery. Mrs. Whee
Ter then led me back to my own room
and, after had declined her civil offe
to unpack for me, left me.
found my new home quite endur
able, though very duh and monotonous
My aunt was a great reader, and ais,
loved books. One of my duties was t,
read to her, and, as she selected goo,
works and discussed them cleyerly af
forwards, my task was pleasant one
i grew quite fond of Aunt Helen, al
though l could not shut my eyes to tn,
fact that she was parsimonious. Ever,
detail of housekeeping was most care
fully looked into by her, and our tablt
was of the plainest kind. a jolnt-
eaten re-dressed in many ways till i
was linIshed-the simplest and cheapes
of puddingS, stale bread (home- mad,
however,, and weak home-brewed table
beer constituted our daily diet. But
there was enough to eat, and my healthy
young appetite was satisfied by plaIr
AbtNA- stAlAN SOCLltu DlCttStl llldl
was happy and contented, and did hel
best to amuse me by repeating old sto
ries and the gossip of her early life
when she had mixed in the world anC
known many distinguished people of al
earlier day.
Mrs. Wheeler also was very attentive
and ciyi to me; but somehow l never
a..rR'l .asf 1fl-a
a very white looking woman of about
sixty, with very gray hair and eyebrow:
and faded blue, furtive eyes, which
never looked steadily at one. Aunt
Helen told me that her houSekeepeI
had had agreat sorrow, which had pre-
maturely sllvered her hair and given
her complexion its singulally gray tinge.
Her only son had been wild and wicked
had been the companion of pOachers,
and in a midnight fray had killed a
keeper. for which, having been taken,
and tried, he was sentenced to some
years of penal servitude. His mother,
who dotted on him. had never recovered
the shame and sorrow of his trial. Fol
this, of course, L pitied her: but the
manner in which she encouraged my
aunt's foible of saving and the Servile
iIrtery she offered her disgusted me.
Sle tried flattery on me at first, but
without success. was too well aware
of my own lack of beauty to accept her
recognition of my charms.
had been two months nearly at
Boarhunt, and January-coId, sleepy
damp and dreary-waS upon us. But
| generally managed to get a run out
into the park before dinner. Without
the fresh air thus obtained, could
scarcely have endured the close room
which my aunt never changed, and in
which passed the whole of the other
part of the day. But one morning
when about TO dress for my walk to
weekday service, l found that boot
lace of my only pair of walkmg-boots
was broken. On seeking for another,
found that had not one left, and
ran down to Mrs. Wheeler to ask her
if she could lend me one.
Although nOminaIly hOusekeeper
she had no room of her own-"It saved
en-" and thither | proceeded. The
door was shut; opened it, and was
about to prOffer my request, when she
advanced rapidly, stood exactly in front
of me, so as TO prevent nv entering and
asked in nervous, irritable manner
what | wanted. | told her; and she at
once assured me that she had no laceS,
but that she had no doubt Mrs. Keith
could give me one; and then she nearly
shut the door in my face. She had not
however prevented me from seeing the
figure of a man sitting in the chimney
corner, who for one instant had turned
a very evil looking face in the direc-
tiOn.
| was rather surprised at her having
a visitor, as | had often heard her de-
clare to my aunt that she would never
admit one; and | ascribed her manifest
agitation TO my detecting her in the act
of receiving "a follower" as she would
have said. However, L hastened TO
beg lace of Mrs Keitt, who smilingly
assured me that she had long since
ceased to wear lace boots or to possess
laces. / could not therefore go out.
She advised me as a substitute for out
of-dOOrs exercise, TO run over the old
house.
at is of great size,'' she said, 'and
will take many steps to traverse, and it
may amuse you to explore the many
no0Ks and corners, though cannot
promise you the excitement of a ghost
or mystery to discover. 1t Is a COM
old rambling house."
Pleased at the idea of exploring, 1
set off at once, taking turning she
had described, lower down the gallery,
and finding perfect nest of chambers
Oh that floor. They were all furnished
but the furniture was dusty, damp,
mouldy and falling into decay. A flight
Of stairs at the end of these rooms temp
ted me to ascend higher. The upper
story was still more ramblin aud full
Ter of passages, steps, hooks, and cor
ners than the one below; and L began
to think that L might lose myself in
such a labyrinth, and that | had better
return, when on opening a door and
stepping into another of these deserted
l tripped over something,
and, looking down, perceived a rough
strong pair of mems boots just under
nv feet. | was greatly astonlshed,
when, on glancing round the
room, perceived the signs of recent
occupation. The bed had been slept in
and was not yet made, and the CRATE
contained the embers of fire. Who
could have slept here and been INDUCED
in a fire. luxury which even Mrs
Keith did not allow herself? The
Wheelers and the general servant slept
N the wing over the offices. Who
could be dwelling here unknown to
Aunt Helen?
Whilst | still stood wondering, L
heard heavy steps approaching; and,
lot liking to be found where L was,
iarted forward, opened another door.
which hoped led from the room-and
'ound myself in a large low closet
With a small window in it. i had shut
he door after me before L perceived TO
what the egress led, and L was about 10
open it and go out again, when heard
. mans footsteps in the chamber, ana
.hought it better to remain where
vas. A harsh voice said
oil tha money