The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-16
CHAPTER 8 A T first I scarcely grasped the fact A that Manville was going away.

A T first I scarcely grasped the fact A that Manville was going away. Then came the wild hope that he was making this an excuse to make arrangements for her 70 remain in her home town among the people with whom she had lived all her life.
 "When are you going" I could scarcely frame the question. so eager was I to know the object of his visit
 "In a few cays. I may have to be gone a week or two and must arrange matters at the office. Then, too. there here before I go." I must have looked question, for he went on: q have made an appointment with a carpenter and other workmen. I want to have some changes made in the house."
 What kind of changes? A forebod- ing of danger swept over me. Why this sudden decision to change the house?
 Some partitions changed, papering, etc"
 'Let us repaper the nursery with Mother Goose paper. It would enter tain Anna, now t pat she is geiing older"
 "Plain walls are better for children. I recall hearing Aunt Cynthia say that pictures on the wall especially of peo- pie and things to excite even pleasure, keep children awake or gave them bad dreams"
 50 many childfen's walls are pa- pered in that way. Every magazine I look at tells of it being the kind of paper to use.'
 "We are not raising Anna according to magazine writers. Usually they write from observation, not experience. Aunt Cynthia knows from experience about such matters" 1 I said no more. It was no part of my plan to annoy or to anger Manville unnecessarily. Any pretty wall paper would do for Anna, although was disappointed that he had refused the kind I wanted.
 After dinner he took pencil and pa per. He drew plans and figured for some time while I read. Something, l don't know what, but some feeling of dread that might hear things dis agreeable, kept me from asking him about what he was doing. l knew well it had to do with the proposed changes he had said he was going to make, but why was he making them now?
 Aunt Cynthia writes that she is having some few things shipped for us to take care of-just few keepsakes. They will be up tomorrow" he said as we went upstairs.
 q will see they are taken good care of," replied.
 Do. She values them highly"
 No more was said about his aunt, yet she was in my Thoughts. could | eIn ini nf haf vile had meant by fixing the house at this time, and whether he would con sent that she make her home elsewhere Finally, I fell into a troubled sleep to dream of her, of Commodore and to wake crying out in terror that Com modore was killing Anna. Manville got up and shook me a little, thoroughly arousing me, and asked:
 What is the matter, Susan? What are you screaming about"
 "Oh, Manville : l was dreaming of your aunt and that horrible cat. could see him with his back all arched his tail quivering, ready to spring al Anna. Oh. it was terrible !" GOV cred my eyes.
 Such nonsense! Be more careful what you eat and you will not have nightmares"
 made no answer, but lay and shiv cred for a long time. It seemed ar augury of trouble. Why should dream of that cat and of danger tt Anna?
 In the morning I felt tired and Ian guid, and acung upon Manyille's ad vice-his commads, rather-I remained in bed. But l could not sleep so arose and dressed very soon after he left fol the office.
 About II o'clock Nancy said a mar was downstairs he had come to takt measurements and make an estimate of the changes Manville designed tC make. I saw him and led the way tC my dressing room, as he told me that was where he was to commence. Then he asked to see the nursery. Bewil dered, I led the way into the bright sunny room which had been given en. tirely over to Anna ever since she had been born. He measured, going from one room to the other. They adjoinedl