Daily camera., 1897-08-20
CHAPTER II.


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 l COM
plimented 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 | 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 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 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 fa-
vored me with many glances which
seemed to have much of solicitude in
them.
When everything had been done to
make me comfortable for the night,
Sarah turned tor me, and spoke low.
with 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, appealingly.
mo. indeed. i replied, decidedly 81
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 hou5 do you note"
"Yes. Dat ish all fixed. Mr.. Son
tag, your lawyer, told me. Bud you
better go back nit Sarah," the old
woman replied.
"And why so? What's to hinder my
asked. ''Have you cooked up scheme,
Sarah, with Mrs. Snyder, to force me to
go back with you?" 1 asked of my old
nurse. "Never fear, 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 awe-stricken
tones, first looking around with a
frightened expression.
"Deres something funny aboud de
house, Mel"
"Humph! Idon't see anything funny
at ALL" L replied. "There is more sad
ness to me-
"Ders awful strange things haf been
seen and heard" Sarah continued, with
deep seriousness. Old Jake's face fell
at his wife's words, and he moved near
er to her.
"Who has seen and heard strange
things, and what are they?" I asked,
lightly, for I am not superstitious, and
not easily frightened by two old
women'simaginations
''Mrs. Snyder haf seen lights at night
and efen in de daytime haf heard noises
strange noises of talking" replied my
old nurse.
"Well, they will have to be very bright
lights and very loud noises to awakeI
me tonight, for intend to sleep like {
stone," l said, laughingly. "Ths
: strangest thing of all to me 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. l saw
him gaze through the open doorway in
to the parlor in very evident terror, ant
heard him eXclaim, in low, awed tones
"Gott in Himmel!"
l could not restrain a smile at the
sight of the tall, strong man overcome
by childish fears, and was about to up
braid him for his foolishness. But ] re
membered the vein of superstition
which runs through the lives of the
Pennsylvania farmers, and SO said moth
ing.