The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-10-08
CHAPTER III.

1t was something like coming home,
after all. albeit to house almost void
of furniture and peopled oaly with
remembrnnccs of loved forms long since
gone. At any rate. IL was 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
plimcntcd 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 90 to ruin, there was about
it that indescribable quality which IL
attached to long-deserted houses. We
all felt IL more or less. Sarah and Mrs.
Snyder spoke in whispers; Jake stepped
about ON tiptoc. M though fearful that
the heavy tread of his cowhide boots
would bring back the spirits Of the
departed; while to myself there WAS
pathos about the old house which had
not known an inhabitnnt for SO long.
II seemed like some human being de-
serted by it's own flesh and blood.
While | wns passing from bureau
to wardrobe. from ccntcr-table TO man
tel-piece. taking mental notes Of all the
old-fashioned china and bric-n-brnc
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 to
time. and when the cover was lifted
the puugcnt odor filed 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 exclam-
ations Indicative either of wonder or of
disapprobation. My old nurse also fa-
vored me with many glanccs which
seemed to have much of solicitude in
them.
When everything had been done TO
make me comfortable for the night.
with a touch Of fear in her tones.
"Come, Mel, you go back home with
u.s." she said. Don't stay here all alone
in dis grade big house. ! am afrait
to haf you. Come back with U.S." she
reiterated. nppcaIinely.
mo, indeed" replied. decidedly. II
would not miss sleeping amid the CRATE
ful odor of spruce for anything. I'll
be over to your house for breakfast,
Mrs. Snyder" turning toward the old
widow. you understand am TO take
my meals at your housS do you not?"
"Ycs. Dat ish aIl fixed. Mr.. Som
tag. your lawyer, told me. Bud you
better go back init Sarah," the old
| woman replied.
"And why SO? What's TO hinder my
staying here in my own house?" I
asked. Have you cooked up n scheme,
Sarah. with Mrs. Snyder. TO force me to
go back with your" / asked OF my old
nurse. "Never fenr, you'll see enough
Of me. I'll come over to your house
often"
The two women exchanged glances,
and seemed to be reluctant TO proceed.
Finally Sarah spoke in swe-stricken
tones, first looking around with
frightened expression.
"Dcre's something funny aboud de
house, Mel"
| "Humph! 1don't see anything funny
ct ALL" replied. There is more sad.
ness to me-
"Der's awful strange things haf been
seen and heard" Sarah continued. with
deep seriousness. Old Jakc's face fell
at his wifc's words, and he moved near.
| er 20 her.
"who has seen and heard strange
things, and what arc they?" asked,
tightly. for ! sm not supeSstitious, and
not easily frightened By two old
wo0en's iDaginations.