Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-20

| kAInARINe sErs0 CLo5so DOORS"
\ 1e~ '1' are: sn. NEXT '''''
copyright, 1897, by Anna K. Rohlfs.]
CHAPTER H.
THE FIRST NIGHT.
I spoke with a due regard to truth
when told Miss Knollys that enter
tanned no fears at the prospect of sleep
ing apart from the rest of the family
am woman Of courage-or so have
always believed-and at home occupy
my second floor alone without the least
apprehension. But there is difference
In these two abiding places, as I think
you are ready by this time to acknowl-
edge, and, though felt little of what
is called fear, certainly did not expert
ence my usual satisfaction in the mi
mute preparations with which l am ac-
customed to make myself comfortable
for the night. There was gloom both
within and without the four bare walls
between which now found myself shut
which l would have been something
less than human not to feel, and though
had no dread of being overcome by it
/ was glad to add something to the
cheer Of the spot by opening my trunk
and taking out few of those little mat
tiers OF personal equipment without
which the brightest room looks barren
and den like this too desolate for
habitation.
Then took a good look about me to
see how could obtain for myself some
sense of security for the night, without
which it would be impossible to get
even modicum of rest The bed was
light and could be pulled in front of the
door. This was something The win
dows-but there was but one, and that
was heavily draped with some thick.
dark stuff, very funereal in its appear
hnce. Going to it, pulled aside the
heavy folds and looked out. A mass of
heavy foliage at once met my eye, OBJ
structing the view of the sky and add
ing much to the lonesomeness of the
situation. let the curtain fall again
and sat down in chair to think.
The shortness of the candle end with
which l had been provided had struck
me as significant, SO significant that |
had not allowed it to burn long after
Miss Knollys had left me. If these girls
charming, no doubt, but sly, had
thought to shorten my watch by short
ening my candle l would give them no
cause to think but that their ruse had
been successful. The foresight which
causes me to add winter wrap to my
stock of clothing even when the wealth
er is at the hottest leads me to place
half dozen or so of candles in my trunk,
and so had only to open little oblong
box in my upper tray to have the means .
at my disposal of keeping light all
night
So far so good. 1 had light, but
had anything else in case that William
here Miss Knollys' look
and reassuring words required to me.
Whatever you may hear-if you hear
have no reference to
yourself and need not disturb you"
was in no danger myself, but others.
Why did think there might be others
to whom that reinsurance would not
quite apply?
Not knowing how to answer these
thoughts and fully conscious that sleep
would not visit me at once under exist
ing circumstances, finally made up
my mind that l would not attempt to
lie down till my mind had become bet
ter satisfied that sleep on my part would
be desirable. So after making the vari
ous little arrangements already alluded
10 drew over my shoulders comfort
able shawl and set myself to listen for
what l feared would be more than one
lreary hour Of this not to be envied
hight.
And here just let me stop to mention
hat, carefully considered as all my pre-
,autions We're, l had forgotten one thing
loon leaving home that at this minute
made me very nearly miserable. 1 nae
lot included among my effects the alco
1olic lamp and all the other private and
particular conveniences which l have
or making tea in my own apartment. ,
Had had them with me and had l but
)een able to make and sip cup of my {
,wn delicious tea through the ordeal OF {
listening for whatever sounds might
ome to disturb the midnight stiffness
# this house, what relief it would have
,een to my spirits and i'll what differ
mt light l might have regarded Mr.
Iryce and the errand into which his
uspicions had driven me. But L not 6
nly lacked this element of comfort, but
he satisfaction of thinking that it was '
nv ones fault but my own. Leila had 1
aid her hand ON that teapot, but l had
haken my head, fearing that the sight G
f it might offend the eyes of my young a
ostesses. But l had not calculated in L
cling put in a remote corner like this b
f house large enough to accommodate 6
dozen families, and if ever travel X
gain l
But this is matter personal to Anne J
la Butterworth, you say, and OF no in Q
crest to us. And you are right. will X
OF inflict my little foibles upon you s
gain.
Eleven o'clock came and went l had v
card no sound. Twelve, and l began q
, think that all was not quite so still g
S before; that / certainly could hear II
ow and then faint noises as of door a
,eaking on its hinges, or the smothered
,und of stealthily moving feet. Yet all 9
as SO far from being distinct that for Ii
me time l hesitated to acknowledge OF
....--,1f +Lat Sop,sthinp was going ON b.