The Mayor's Wife

one flight, then another, to the room which had been chosen for me, the hurried glimpses I had of her bright and candid face suggested that in this especial member of the household I migh

s. The interest in her look was not the simple one to be expected. In another person in other circumstances I should have characterized

d, and, throwing wide the door, re

is not large enough or does not seem pleasant t

” I confidently replied, after a hasty look

ought, and patted a pillow here and twitched a curt

t you don’t look as if you would be easily frightened.” Astonished, not so much by her words as

mid you won’t mind sleeping so far away from every one. Then, we are always within call. The attic door is just a

ain looked my way, with some of

ou have had experiences here which have tended to alarm you. The house is so large

r who would try to get in here. I gue

to draw her out and the fear of betraying Mayor Pack

You needn’t think of it, Miss. I’m sure you’ll be all

from below, for she made a quick start toward the door,

pany to-night. I’m coming.” This to some one in

citement which this strange conversation might naturally produce in one already keyed up to an expectation of the mysterious and unusual? If so, I was not disappointed. My features certainly betrayed the effect of this unexpected attack upon my professional equ

irl had stopped. She and not I must

h near enough to obstruct the view, was not near enough to exclude all light. Another and closer scrutiny of the room did not alter the first impression. To the advantages of light were added those of dainty furnishing and an exceptionally pleasing color scheme. There was no richness anywhere, but an attractive harmony which gave one an instantaneous feeling of home. From the

over to examine it; but instead of doing so, found my eyes drawn t

agerness which gave force to her otherwise commonplace features. So remarkable was this expression and so apparently was it directed against myself, that I felt like throwing up my window and asking the poor old creature what I could do for her. But her extreme immobility deterred me. For

for dinner. When quite ready, I sat down to write a letter. This completed, I turned to go downstairs. But before leaving the room I cast another look up at my neighbor’s attic window. The old woman was still there. As our glances met I experienced a thrill which was hardly one of sympathy, yet was not exactly one of fear. My impulse was to pull down the

h there was to admire in our mayor’s wife, and quite understood his relief when, a few minutes later, we sat at table and conversation began. Mrs. Packard, when free and light-hearted, was a delightful companion and the meal passed off

om Mrs. Packard kindly invited me to meet, but I begged to be allowed to enjoy the library. I ha

Packard’s se

afraid to rema

show such interest in the new me

ld. I caught up a magazine, but speedily dropped it to cast a quick glance around the room. Had I heard anything? No. The house was perfectly still, save for the sound of conversation in the drawing-room. Yet I found it hard to keep my eyes upon the page. Quite without my volition they flew, first to one corner, then to another. The room was light, there were no shadowy nooks in it, yet I felt an irresistible desire to peer into every place not directly under my eye. I knew it to be folly, and, after succumbing to the temptation of taking a sly look behind a certain tall screen, I resolutely set myself to curb my restlessness and to peruse in good earnest the article I had begun. To make sure

ered it this time without too great an effort. I already knew every feature of the room: its old-fashioned m

sh, Miss?” asked a voice

ad heard no one approach; it was

continued the voice. “I

exity; for not only had he advanced quite noiselessly, but he was looking at me with t

mmon into my voice; and did not know whether to like or no

g and whether I was enjoying myself. Why this curiosity? I have never roused it anywhere else. It is not myself they are interested in, but the cause and purpose of my presence under this roof.” I p

thought I. “To her I am a welcom

y of assuring you that already she looks better, and that I begin to hope that your encouraging presence may stimulate her to throw aside her gloom and needless apprehensions. I shall be eternally grateful to you if it will. It is the first time in a week that she has consented to

experienced any alarm in the night; and when I showed surprise at her expecting me to feel alarm of any kind in a house full of people, made the remark, ‘I guess you do not know about this house.’ Will you pardon me if I ask if there

d is utterly devoid of superstition. That I made sure of before signing the lease of this old house. But I forgot; you are doubtless ignorant of its reputation. It has, or

n in my mind of that blank and staring face in the attic window next

ort laugh

us. I had almost forgotten that it was burdened with such an uncanny reputation, and I’m sure that Mrs. Packard would have shared

e you been in the house?

ld get in a locality convenient for me; besides, the old place suits me. It wo

e may not be a supers

ia seeing sights? She’s much too practical by nature, Miss Saunders, to say nothing of the fact that she would certainly have confided her trouble to me, had her im

singing came from

he has forgotten it for the moment. Excuse me if I join her.

s questions my awakened curiosity demanded, but his impatie

him again as soon as possible and gain a more definite