The Princeton union., 1900-06-21
CHAPTER n.

It was something like coming home,
after all, albeit to house almost void
of furniture and peopled only with
remembrances of loved forms long since
gone. At any rate, it was the only home
I 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 I 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 60 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
! pathos about the old house which had
not known an inhabitant for so long.
1t 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 filled the room.
All through the preparations I no.
tlced 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 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 touch of fear in her tones.
Come, Mel, you go back home with
US" she said. Don't stay here alralone
in dis grade big house. I am afrait
to hat you. Come back with u.s. she
reiterated, appealingly.
mo, indeed,'' replied, decidedly. II
would not miss sleeping amid the CRATE
ful 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?"
"Yes. Dat ish all fixed. Mr.. Son.
tag, your lawyer, told me. Bud you
better 60 back NIT Sarah," the old
woman replied.
And why so? What's to hinder nv
staying here in my own house?" I
asked Have you cooked up scheme,
Sarah, with Mrs. Snyder, to force me to
60 back with you?" I asked of nv old
H,o'SA AcdI, you IL see enough
OF me: I'll come over to your house
often"
Ihe two women exchanged glances,
and seemed to be reluctant to proceed.
Finally Sarah spoke in awe-striclxen
tones. first looking around with
frightened expression.
'Dere's something funny aboud de
house, Mel"
"Humph! Idon't see anything funny
Mt ALL" I replied. There is more sad.
ness to me-"
"Der's 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
err to her.
"Who has seen and heard strange
things, and what are they?" asked,
lightly, for am not superstitious. and
not easily frightened by two old
women's imaginations.