Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-03-28

bO-nibut' lOuI pdIciits arc "Siii AhopSs
''Your parentsr' and this in allusion to
her own sister, whom she had not seen
for years! Her greeting-in fact, her
manner, everything about her-was per-
fectly polite, but strangely cold.
eyes" replied, 'they are quite well,
thank you"
"You can come down stairs when you
are ready" she continued, as she stood
before the glass, giving the last touches
to her toilet. DINNER will be on the
table in about twenty minutes. had
better go down--they will be waiting for
me-" saying which she left the room.
A curious woman, thought, when she
was gone; and, altogether, did not care
much about her-perhaps, also, was
little sorry that, against the wishes of
my parents, had come to The Willows
at all. When came into the drawing
room found party of about dozen
people assembled there. There were, be-
sides my aunt and an elderly German
lady, who was a relative of her late hus-
band, the clergyman of the parish with
his wife and two daughters, the local
doctor-a good looking young man of
about six or seven and twenty; the squire
and three or four others, who, like myself,
were staying on visit at the house.
Dinner passed very pleasantly. We had
music and dance when the gentlemen
came up stairs. Altogether l enjoyed
myself very much, and it was past mid
night when we rose from the supper
table, One thing did notice almost un-
consciously during the evening, and this
was a strange, absent, and at the same
time searching, expression which some
times came upon Aunt Judith's face. 1t
was as though she were looking at or for
something which was invisible to every
body else.
Well, when supper was over, and those
of the guests who were leaving the house
had taken their departure, went with
Aunt Judith to her bedroom, "to see,"
she said, "whether Sophia had got my
room ready yet"
Sophia was waiting for us when we
entered the room, and my aunt and she
| Immediately began to talk in German.
What they were saying l could not tell,
but somehow, from their manner or the
| tone of their voices, it seemed to me as if
| they were discussing something which
| they did not want me to know about.
At last my aunt said to me in English:
"My dear, am sorry the room l had
intended for you is not ready yet. 1t will
| be ready tomorrow, but for to-right you
must sleep in another ROOM"
Here Sophia said something in German,
| and after moments pause Aunt Judith
said, as if in answer:
"The blue room. Yes, my DEAR" she
continued, speaking to me, sit is an old
fashioned room, but very comfortable
Sophia will show you to it, Good night,
| dear"
| Again the curious look l had noticed
before came over her face as | left the
room with Sophia, who walked before
me with candle.
We went up a flight of stairs that led
to part of the building which seemed
to be but little used. At the top of these
stairs there was a long narrow passage,
| the walls of which were lined with oak
| panels. When we got to the end of this
passage we turned to the right and went
few yards down another and similar
passage, until the servant opened door
that led into spacious bedchamber.
Having put the candle on the mantel-
piece, and laid my travelling bag, which
she carried with her, on the floor, she
looked curiously round the room, and
then, when she had hidden me good
night, went out and shut the door.
felt very nervous as | looked about the
apartment, which seemed to be in an I'm
inhabited part of the large house, and
was furnished, thought, ir an antique
and rather grewsome manner. The lofty
walls, paneled as they were with wood
painted blue, contrasted strangely with
the heavy silk window curtains, which
were of dark red color, and with some
old portraits in oil that hung in massive
oak and ebony frames. The chairs and
tables were all cumbrous and old fash.
ioned, and, as to the bed, it almost fright.
ened me to think of sleeping in it., so vast
and gloomy did it look with its huge
canopy and somber curtains.
1t is not easy to so to sleep at once dur
ing the first night of ones stay in strange
house, especially if anything has hap
pened to make the mind uneasy and sus
picious. For a long time | lay awake
wondering at the curious look | had seer
on Aunt Judith's face, and shivering
now and again, as | thonght how fal
away | was from the rest of the house
hold. If were to be taken suddenly ill
or if anything were to happen to mt
during the night, what could do? There
was bell rope in the room, but had for
gotten to ask Sophia whether it commu
nicated with a bell, and, if so, whethel
there was any one to answer my ring
Isolated as was in this large and gloomy
chamber, my mind was agitated will
vague fears, and it must have been near
ly two hours before got to sleep.
How long this state lasted l do no
know, when suddenly l awoke. In ;
moment | was wide awake, staring be
fore me into the black darkness and list
ening intently to the profound about me
Why was | doing this2 l asked myself
but could not give any answer. Some
thing must have happened to awake me
What was it? l wondered. | looked ant
| istanad There WAS onlv blackness AM