Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-11-09
CHAPTER ".
A SPECTRAL HOME.

C1AT lGn lN.
SPECTRAL HOME.
The hall into which I had stepped
was so dark that for few minutes !
could see nothing but the indistinct out
line of young woman with very
white face She had uttered sort OF
murmur at my words, but for some rea-
son was strangely silent, and if could
trust my eyes seemed rather to be look
ing back and over her shoulder than in
to the face of her advancing guest This
was odd, but before could quite satis-
fy myself as to the cause of her abstrac-
ton she suddenly bethought herself,
and throwing open the door Of an ad-
joining room she let in stream Of light
by which we were enabled to see each
other and exchange the greetings suit
able to the occasion.
miss Butterworth, my mothers old
friend" she murmured with an almost
pitiful effort to be cordial, 1--WE are so
glad to have you visit us. Won't you
you sit down?'
What did it mean? She had pointed
to chair in the sitting room, but her
face was turned away again as If drawn
irresistibly toward some secret object OF
fear Was there any one or anything at
the top of the dim staircase could
family see in the distance? Itwould not
do for me to ask nor was it wise for me
to show that l thought this reception a
strange one. Stepping into the room she
pointed out to me, waited for her to
follow me, which she did with mani
fest reluctance But when she was once
out of the atmosphere of the hall, or out
of reach Of the sight or sound Of what
ever it was that frightened her, her face
took on a smile that ingratiated her
with me at once and gave to her very
delicate aspect, which up to that mo-
ment had not suggested the remotest
likeness to her mother, piquant charm
and subtle fascination that were not un-
worthy of the daughter Of Althea Bur
roughs
"You-you must not mind the power
ty of your welcome" she said, with
half proud, half apologetic look around
her, which must say the baroness and
shabby character of the room we were
in fully justified. 1--WE have not been
very we'll off since father died, and
MOTHER that look, this time
Dne of unmistakable fear, but she soon
shocked it and smiled again, though
without any show Of piquancy-"and
mother left US. Had you given us q
chance we would have written you that
our home would not offer many induce
ments to you after your own, but you
have come unexpectedly and'-
"There, there" put in, for saw
that her embarrassment would soon get
the better of her, "do not speak Of it. 1
did not come to enjoy your home, but
to see you Are you the eldest, my dear,
and where is your sister and brother!"
II am not the eldest" she said. Il
am Lucetta My sister"-here her head
stole irresistibly back to it's old position
Of listening-"will-w come soon.
My brother is not in the house"
"Well," said 1, astonished that she
did not ask me to take off my things,
"you are pretty girl, but you do not
look very strong. Are you quite we'll,
my dear?'
She started, looked at me eagerly, al
most anxiously, for a moment, then
Strengthened herself and began to lose
some of her abstraction.
II am not strong person" she
smiled, "but neither am so very weak
either. was always small So was my
mother, you know"
She seemed to think she must talk of
her mother, though noticed that the
word gave her pain. AS for me, no topic
could be more agreeable save one.
therefore answered her in way to pro-
long the conversation.
"Yes, your mother was small" said
I, "but never thin or pallid. She was
like fairy among us schoolgirls. Does
it seem odd to hear so old woman as
l speak of herself as schoolgirls
"Oh, mol" she said, but there was no
heart in her voice.
II had almost forgotten those days,
proceeded, seeing must keep up the
conversation if we were not to sit in to-
tai silence, It'll happened to hear the
name of Althea mentioned the other
day Then my whole early friendship
with your mother recurred to me, and
l started up-as I always do when l
come to any decision, my dear-and
sent that telegram, which hope have
not followed by an unwelcome pres
ence"
"Oh, no, " she repeated, but this time
with some feeling, 1--WE need friends,
and if you will overlook our shortcom-
ings- But you have not taken off your
hat. What will Loreen say to me?'
And with sudden nervous action as
marked as her late listnessness she
Jumped up and began busying herself
over me, untying my bonnet and laying
aside my bundles, which up to this mo-
ment had held in my hands.
IL am so absentminded," she
murmured. "I-I did not think-I hope