Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-13

our other rooms are-are out Of order, y
she explained firmly, land cannot dc
otherwise tonight.
"But isn't there some spot nearer
you?" l urged. IA couch in the same
room with you would be more accept
able to me than this distant ROOM"
81 hope you are not timid," she
began, but FASTENED to disabuse her
mind of this at once.
81 am not afraid" said l, "of any
earthly thing but dogs but do not like
solitude. l came here for companion
ship, my dear. really would like to
sleep with one of you"
This, to see how she would meet such
urgency. She met it as I might have
known she would by rebuff.
81 am very sorry" she again repeated,
but it is quite impossible. If l could
give you the comforts you are accus-
toned to, should be glad, but we are
unfortunate, we girls, and"- She said
no more, but began to busy herself about
the room, which held but one object that
had the least look of comfort III it. That
was III VI uHh, NHiCll DCch ucdUly
placed in one corner.
II suppose you IRE not used to can
dies" she remarked lighting what
struak me as a very short end from the
one she held in her hand.
"My DEAR" said l, 81 can accommo-
date myself to much that am not used
to. have very few old maid s ways or
notions. You shall see that am far
from being difficult guest. -
She heaved sigh, and then, seeing
my eye travelling slowly over the gray
discolored walls, which were not reliev-
ed by SO much as solitary print, she
pointed to a bell rope near the head of
the bed and considerably remarked:
eff you wish anything in the night
or are disturbed in any way, pull that
1t communicates with my room, and l
will be only too glad to come to you. ;"
l glanced up at the rope, ran my eye
along the wire communicating with it
and saw that it was broken sheer off be-
fore it even entered into the wall.
Il am afraid you will not hear me-,
l answered pointing to the break.
She flushed deep scarlet. and for
moment looked as embarrassed as ever
her sister had done.
II did not know she murmured
1.-THE house is SO old, everything is
more or less out Of repair" And she
made haste TO quit the room.
stepped after her in grim determi-
nation.
"But there is no key to the door," l
objected.
She came back with look that was
as nearly desperate as her placid fea-
lures were capable of.
II know" she said, II know We
have nothing. But if you are not afraid |,
house, under our protection and with
good dog outside?-you will bear with
;hings tonight, and Good God, " she
but not so low but that my
excited sense caught every syllable,
can she have heard? Has the reputa-
ion of this place gone abroad? Miss
she repeated earnestly,
the house contains no cause of terror
or you. Nothing threatens our guest,
lor need you have the least concern for
'ourself or u.s. whether the night pass
S in quiet or whether it is broken by
sounds. They will have
10 reference to anything in which you ,
re interested {
"Ah, ha, thought /, won't they!
Iou give me credit for much indiffer-
nee, my dear" But said nothing be- l
ond few soothing phrases, which
nade purposely short, seeing that every
l kept her there was just so
1uch torture Then l went back to my
DOM and carefully closed the door. My
rst night in this dismal and strangely
rdered house had opened anything but