Thankful's Inheritance by Joseph Crosby Lincoln
page 32 of 440 (07%)
page 32 of 440 (07%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
"Perhaps it is a haunted house," she said, jokingly. "Every village has a haunted house, you know. Perhaps that's why the stage-driver warned us not to go into it." To her surprise Mrs. Barnes seemed to take offense at this attempt at humor. "Don't talk silly," she snapped. "If I've lived all these years and been as down on spooks and long-haired mediums as I've been, and then to--there--there! Don't let's be idiots altogether. Talk about somethin' else. Talk about that depot-wagon driver and his pesky go-cart that got us into this mess. There's plenty of things I'd like to say about THEM." They talked, in low tones. Conversation there in the dark and under such circumstances, was rather difficult. Emily, although she was determined not to admit it, was growing alarmed for the return of Winnie S. and his promised rescue expedition. Aunt Thankful was thinking of the little back bedroom upstairs. An utter lack of superstition was something upon which she had prided herself. But now, as she thought of that room, of the portrait on the wall, and what she had heard-- "Listen!" whispered Emily, suddenly. "Listen! I--I thought I heard something." Mrs. Barnes leaned forward. "What? Where? Upstairs?" she asked, breathlessly. "No. Out--out there somewhere." She pointed in the direction of the |
|