Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-08-12
CHAPTER II.

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 so to ruin, there was about
it that indescribable quality which l.
attached to long-deserted houses. w,
all felt 1t more or less, Sarah and Mrs,
Snyder spoke in whispers; Jake stepped
about on tiptoe, nN though fearful thai
the heavy tread of his cowhide boots
would bring back the spirits Of the
departed; while to myself there was n
pathos about the old house which had
not known an inhNbtant for so long.
1t seemed like some human being de-
serted by its own flesh and blood.
While | was passing from bureau
to wardrobe. from comfortable to man
tel-piece, taking mental notes Of all the
old-fashioned china and bric-n-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 huge cedar chest which
stood on ono side Of the room.
Sprigs of spruce and hemlocl had
been placed in the chest from time tc
time, and when the cover wns 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 exclam.
ations indicative either Of wonder or Of
disapprobation. My old nurse also ia.
vored me with many chances which
seemed to have much of solicitude in
them.
When everything had been done to
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 with
us" she said. Don't stay here all alone
in dis grade big house, I am afrait
to hat you. Come back with us" she
reiterated, appealingly.
mo, indeed" / replied, decidedly. ~
would not miss sleeping amid the CRATE
full 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 house, do you not?"
Eyes. Dat ish all fixed. Mr.. Son
tag, your lawyer, told me. Bud you
better go back NIT Sarah," the old
woman replied. 90
"And why SOP What,u To hinder my
staying here IN my own house4p i
asked. "Haye you cooked up scheme,
Sarah, with Mrs, Snyder, to force me to
go back with yap?" I asked Of my old
nurse. ''Never fear, you'll see enough
Of me. Ill come over to your house
often"
The two women exchanged chances,
and seemed TO be reluctant to proceed,
Finally Sarah spoke In awe-stricken
tones, first looking around with
frightened expression.
"Dere's something funny aloud de
house, Nell"
"Humphl Idon't see anything funny
at all )" replied, rThere is more sad
ness to me-" ~ IS ~ "a"
."Der's awful strange things hat been
seen and heard" Sarah continued, with
deep seriousness. Old Jake's face fell
at his wlfe's words, and he moved near
er to her.
"Who has seen and heard strange
things, and what are they2" 1 asked,
lightly, for am not superstitious, and
not easily frightened by two old
women's imaginations.
Mrs. Snyder hat seen lights at night,
and efen in de daytime haf heard noises,
strange poises Of talking" replied my
old nurse,
"Well, they will have to be very bright
lights and very loud npises to awaken
mp tonight, for | intend to sleep like
stone" / said, laughingly. "The
strangest thing Of all to mo is my COM
ing here for the first time since my
grandfather's body was borne from the
parlor to be placed In the grave"
Old Jake gave sudden start which
attracted my attention to him. I saw
him gaze through the open doorway In
n h - lie parlor in very evident terror, and
heard him exclaim, in low, awed tones:
aGott in Himmell"
1 could not restrain o smile at the
sight of the tall, strong man overcome
by childish fears, and was about to up
braid him for his foolishness. But Ire
membered the vein of superstition
which runs through the lives Of the
Pennsylvania farmers, and SO said moth
ing.
"Come back with us" again pleaded
Sarah.
mo. If there is anything out of tho
ordinary about my house, I am all the
more determined to remain and find out
what it is" said, decisiyely. Then
-.
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