Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-09-03
CHAPTER ri.

CHAPTER II.
1t was something like coming home,
after all, albeit to house almost void
of furniture and peopled only with
remembrances of loved forms long since
gone. AT any rate, twas the only home
could really call my own.
There were two rooms, the spare
bedroom and the parlor adjoining, on
the first floor, which still retained the
furniture. Everything about these
rooms, though faded and somewhat
worn, was in good order, and COM
plimentcd Mrs. Snyder on the care she
had taken.
Sarah had thrown up the windows,
and the soft evening air came into the
rooms.
Although the place had not been
allowed to go to ruin, there was about
it that indescribable quality which is
attached to long-deserted houses. We
all felt it more or less. Sarah and Mrs.
Snyder spoke in whispers; Jake stepped
about on tiptoe, as though fearful that
the heavy tread of his cowhide boots
would bring back the spirits of the
departed; while to myself there was a
pathos about the old house which had
not known an inhabitant for so long.
1t seemed like some human being de-
serted by it's own flesh and blood.
While I was passing from bureau
to wardrobe, from center-table to man
tel-piece, taking mental notes of all the
old-fashioned china and bric-a-brac
which adorned those places still, and
which in my young days had been for
hidden my boyish fingers, Sarah and
Mrs. Snyder made up the bed, taking the
bedding from a huge cedar chest which
stood on one side of the room.
Sprigs of spruce and hemlock had
been placed in the chest from time tc
time, and when the cover was lifted
the pungent odor filled the room.
All through the preparations I no
ticed that Sarah and Mrs. Snyder were
engaged in earnest conversation.
The old widow was especially vehe
ment, and Sarah would frequently
shake her head and give forth eNclam
ations Indicative either of wonder or O.
disapprobation. My old nurse also ia
vored me with many glances which
seemed to have much of solicitude il
them.
When everything had been done t.
make me comfortable for the night
Sarah turned to me, and spoke low
with touch of fear in her tones.
"Come, Mel, you go back home will
us" she said. Don't stay here ali alon,
in dis grade big house. I am afrai
to hat you. Come back with u.s." sh,
reiterated, appealingly.
mo, indeed" I replied, decidedly. Sc
would not miss sleeping amid the CRATE
full odor of spruce for anything. II
be over to your house for breakfast
Mrs. Snyder" turning toward the ole
widow. "You understand I am to TAX
my meals at your house, do you not?"
"Yes. Dat ish all fixed. Mr.. Son
tag, your lawyer, told me. Bud 20,
better go back NIT Sarah," the oil,
woman replied.
"And why SO? What's to hinder m,
staying here in my own house?"
asked. "Have you cooked up a scheme
Sarah, with Mrs. Snyder, to force me t,
! go back with your" asked of my Of,
nurse. "Never fear, you'll see enough
of me. I'll come over to your hous
often"
/ The two women exchanged chances
and seemed to be reluctant to proceed
Finally Sarah spoke in awe-striclel
tones, first looking around with
frightened expression.
"Dere's something funny aboud d
house, Nell"
| "Humph! Idon't see anything funn,
at ALL" replied. "There is more sad
ness to me-"
| "Der's awful strange things hat bee1
seen and heard" Sarah continued, witt
deep seriousness. Old Jake's face fel
at his wife's words, and he moved near
err to her.
1 "Who has seen and heard strang
things, and what are they?" I asked
lightly, for am not superstitious, an,
not easily frightened by two oil
woplen's imaginations.
Mrs. Snyder hat seen lights at night
and efen in de daytime hat heard noises
strange noises of talking" replied m.
old nurse.
SWELL, they will have to Zoe very brigh
lights and very loud noises to awaken
me tonight, for intend to sleep like
stone," l said, laughingly. 9Th
strangest thing of all to me is my com
ing here for the first time since M
grantlfather's body was borne from tn
parlor to be placed in the grave"
Old Jake gave sudden start whicl
attracted my attention to him. ] sa,
him gaze through the open doorway in
to the parlor in very evident terror, an
heard him eXclaim, in low, awed tones
"Gott in Himmel!"
could not restrain a smile at tn
sight of the tall, strong man overcom
by childish fears, and was about to ur
braid him for his foolishness. But re
membered the vein of superstition
which runs through the lives of tn
Pennsylvania farmers, and so said notl
ing.
"Come back with u.s." again pleade
Sarah.
''No. If there is anything out of til
ordinary about my house, l am all tn
more determined to remain and find GU
what it is" said. decisvelv. Then
added, more soitly, for l did not wis