Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-12-03
CHAPTER XIX.
THE KNOT OF GRAPE.

C11A3 LIN A1As
THE KNOT OF GRAPE.
was prepared to see change when
I went into the dining room, but not so
great one. The blinds, which were al
ways half closed, were now wide open,
and under the cheerful influence Of the
light which was thus allowed to enter
the table and all its appointments had a
much less dreary look than before Be-
hind the urn sat Miss Knollys, with a
smile on her lips, and in the window
stood William, whistling, am bound
to declare, but so softly and cheerily
that / could but acknowledge it was
better than his usual rude jests or sui
len silences. Lucetta was not present OF
course, but to my great astonishment
she presently walked in with her hands
laden with sprays Of morning glory,
which she flung down in the center OF
the board. It was the first time I had
seen any attempt made by any Of them
to Tighten the somberness Of their sur
roundings, and it was also the first time
l had seen the three together.
was more disconnected by this sim
pie show Of improved spirits than !
would like to acknow ledge. In the first
place, they were natural and not forced,
and, secondly, they were to all appear
ance unconscious.
They were not marked enough to show
relief and in Lucetta especially did not
serve to hide the underlying melancholy
of a disappointed girl, yet it was not
what expected from my supposed e1-
periences of the night and led me to an
swer little warily when, with frank
laugh, Loreen exclaimed:
$50 ycu have lost your character as a
practical woman, Miss Butterworthl
Hannah tells me you were the victim
of ghostly visit last night.
"Hannah gossips numerically" was
my cautious and somewhat peevish re-
ply. IF l chose to dream that I was
locked into my room. by some very at
tentive speoter, l cannot see why she
should take the confession Of my folly
out Of my mouth. I was going to relate
the fact myself, with all the accompani-
ments Of rushing steps and wild and
unearthly cries which are expected by
the listeners to a veritable ghost story.
But now I have simply to defend myself
from charge of credulity. It's too bad,
Miss Knollys, much too bad. did not
come to a haunted house for this. "
My manner rather than my words
seemed to completely deceive them.
Perhaps it deceived myself, for I began
to feel q loss Of the depression which
had weighed upon me ever since that
scream had rung in my ears at mid
night. 1t disappeared still further when
Lucetta said:
IF your ramblings through the old
rooms on this floor were the occasion! Of
this nightmare, you must be prepared
for recurrence Of the same tonight, for
am going to take you through the up
per rooms myself this morning. Isn't
that the programme, Loreen? Or have
you changed your mind and planned q
drive for Miss Butterworth?'
"She shall do both," said Loreen.
"When she is tired Of tramping through
dusty cham bers and examining the de-
cayed remnants of old furniture which
incumber them; William stands ready
to drive her over the hills, where she
will find views we'll worth her atten-
ton
"Thank you" said I. LIT is a pleas
ant prospect" But within I uttered
ANYTHING but thanks; rather asked
myself if Twas a fool, or was just being
made one, and decided almost without
an argument that the former suppod-
ton would meet with least denial from
the world at large.
However, beliefs die hard in a mind
like mine, and though was ready to
consider that an infamed imagination
may often carry us beyond the bounds
of fact and even into the realm OF fancy
and misconception yet was not ready
to give up my suspicious altogether or
/ to acknowledge that had no foundation
for the fear that something uncanny and
awful had taken place under this roof
the night before. The very naturalness
observed in this hitherto restrained
trio might be the result Of some great
dream removed, and if that was the
case- All, we'll, alertness is the motto
of the truly wise. 1t is when vigilance
sleeps that the enemy gains the victory.
would not let myself be deceived even
at the cost Of little ridicule. Amelia
Butterworth was still awake, even un-
der semblance of we'll laid suspicion.
My footsteps were not dogged that
morning as they hitherto had been in
my movements about the house. 1 was
allowed to 60 and come and even to
stray into the second long corridor with
out any other let than my own discre'
tion and good breeding. Lucetta Joined
me, to be sure, after awhile, but only as
guide and companion. She took me into
rooms 1 forgot the next minute and into
others remember to this day as quaint