Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-06-13
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copyright, 1897, by Anna K. Rohlfs. ]
CHAPTER ~.
A SPECTRAL HOME.

was SO dark that for few minutes
could see nothing but the indistinct ou
line of young woman with yer
white face. She had uttered sort {
murmur at my words, but for some ret
son was strangely silent, and if coul
trust my eyes seemed rather to be lool
ing back and over her shoulder than il
to the face of her advancing guest. Thi
was odd, but before could quite salts
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 ligh
by which we were enabled to see eac
other and exchange the greetings suit
able to the occasion.
Miss Butterworth, my mother oil,
friend, she murmured with an almos
pitiful effort to be cordial, I'VE are s.
glad to have you visit us. Won't you
you sit down."
What did it mean? She had pointed
to a chair in the sitting room, but he
face was turned away again as if drawn
irresistibly toward some secret object o
fear Was there any one or anything a
the top of the dim staircase could
family see in the distance? 1t would moi
do for me to ask nor was it wise for me
to show that thought this reception a
strange one. Stepping into the room she
pointed out to me, l waited for her tc
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 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 We're not un.
worthy Of the daughter of Althea Bur
roughs
"You-you must not mind the power
ty of your welcome" she said, with a
half proud, half apologize look around
her, which l must say the baroness and
shabby character of the room we were
in fully justified. 1--WE have not been
very well off since father died, and
fnother"-again that look, this time
one of unmistakable fear, but she soon
checked it and smiled again, though
without any show Of piquancy-"and
mother left us. Had you given us
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''-
tbara - T mt in for. Coxy
that her embarrassment would soon get
the better of her, "do not speak of it. l
did not come to enjoy your home, but
to see you. Are you the eldest, my dear,
and where is your sister and brother?"
81 am not the eldest" she said IT
am Lucetta. My sister''-here her head
stole irresistibly back to its old position
of listening-"will-w come soon.
Ny 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 well,
my dear?''
She started, looked at me eagerly, al
most anxiously, for moment, then
uGlstll DtSdu W AoSc ]
some of her abstraction.
II am not strong person." she /
smiled, "but neither am l SO very weak |
either was always small. So was my
mother, you know.
She seemed to think she must talk of .
her mother, though l noticed that the .
word gave her pain. AS for me, no topic
could be more agreeable save one. l
therefore answered her in way to pro-
long the conversation.
Eyes, 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
[ speak of herself as schoolgirls"
"Oh, mol" she said, but there was no
heart in her voice.
II had almost forgotten those days,
I proceeded, seeing l must keep up the
if we We're not to sit i'll to-
.al silence, It'll happened to hear the
name of Althea mentioned the other
lay Then my whole early friendship
with your mother required to me, and
started up-as 1 always do when |
,ome to any decision, my dear-and
tent that telegram, which hope l have
lot followed by an unwelcome pres
,nce."
"Oh, no, +" she repeated, but this time
With some feeling, 1--WE need friends,
md if you will overlook our shortcom-
ngs- But you have not taken off your
lat What will Loreen say to me?"
And with sudden nervous action as
marked as her late listnessness she
umped up and began busying herself
,ver me, untying my bonnet and laying
side my bundles, which up to this mo-
nent had held in my hands.
"I-I am so absentminded, she
nurmured. "I-I did not think-I hope
ou will excuse me- Loreen would have
iven you a much better welcome.
"Then Loreen should have been
ere, - said, with smile. 1 could not ,
estrain that slight rebuke, yet l liked ,
he girl, notwithstanding everything l
ad heard, and her own odd and unac-
ountable behavior there was sweet
ess in her face when she chose to
mile that proved an irresistible attrac- /
ion. And then, for all her absentmind- !
dness and distracted ways, she was
UGH a ladyl Not even the plainest of {
resses and the total absence of any &
hing like adornment to her person 6
ould hide that fact. 1t was in every &
mo Of her thin hut graceful form and 6