The Holly chieftain., 1898-06-10
ACLEW BY WIRE
o.. ~ lstsrrspts1 csrsse.
BY HOWARD 4. Y0s1.
cosyrisat. ,sss. BY }. 3. Llpplneota Co.
CHAPTER u.

It was something like coming home,
After all. albeit to house almost void
of furniture and peopled only with
lremembrances Of loved fcrms long since
gone. At any rate, It was the only home
could really call my own.
There were two rooms. tho spare
bedroom and the parlor adjoining. ON
the first door, which still retained the
furniture. Everything about these
rooms, though faded and somewhat
worn, was In good order, and I COM
plimentcd Mrs. Snyder ON the care she
hnd 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, us 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.
It seemed like some human being de-
serted by its 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 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 filed the room.
All through the preparations I mo-
ticed that Sarah and Mrs. Snyder were
engaged in earnest conversation.
The old widow was especially vehe-
ment and Sarah would frequently
shake ker head and give forth exclam.
atoms indicative either of wonder or Of
disapprobation. My old nurse also IA
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 to me, and spoke low.
with a 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. am afrait
to haf you. Come back with u.s." she
reiterated, appealingly.
mo, indeed" Ireplied, decidedly. 'I
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 moi? ~
"Yes. Dat ish all 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?" 1
asked. Have you cooked up q scheme,
Sarah, withMrs. Snyder, to force me to
go back with your" asked of my old
nurse. "Never fear, you'll see enough
OF me. TIL 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.
"Dere's something funny aboud de
house. Mel"
"Humphi Idon't see anything funny
at ALL" l replied. There is more sad
ness to me-"
"Der's awful strange things haf been
seen and heard, J" 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?" 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 hat heard noises,
strange noises Of talking" replied my
old nurse.
"Well, they will have to be very bright
lights and very loud noises to awaken
me tonight. for ! intend to sleep like
stone." I said, laughingly. 1.-THE
pstrnngest thing Of all to me is my COM
ing here for the first time since my
grnndfather's body was borne from the
parlor to be placed In the grave"
Old Jake gave sudden start which
attracted my attention to him. saw
him gaze through the open doorway In
to the parlor in very evident terror, and
heard him exclaim. In low, awed tones:
"Gott in Himmeli"
could not restrain smile at the
sight Of the tall, strong man overcome
by childish fears, and was about to up
braid him for his foolishneas. But ! re-
membered the vein Of superstition
which runs through the lives Of the
Pennsylvania farmers, and 10 said moth
ing.
"Come back with us" again pleaded
Sarah.
mo. II there IL anything out OF the
ordinary about my house, am all the
more determined to remain and find out
what It H." said, decisively. Then
added, moro softly, for did not wish
to wound the kind heart Of my old nurse
II knew her fear for me grew out Of
her love and solicitude for my welfare
81 can take care Of myself under any
circumstances am not child now,
earnh.~
S'sDsn let Jalse stay with you until
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