The Haunted House | Page 9

were
black, features, rather handsome, and he wore a small black moustache.
As soon as Esther had received his invitation she ran up stairs, got her hat and sack, ran
down again, jumped into the carriage, which was a buggy with room for two only, and
off they drove. Jane came out to the front door and called after them, just as they were
driving away: "You had better put the top up Bob, for it will certainly rain before long."
Dan, who had been sitting in the dining room in one of the easy chairs, remarked to Jane
as he was going up stairs: "What a pity Bob McNeal is such a wild fellow. I'm afraid he
will never amount to much. He is a remarkably fine workman too; he has improved in his
work since I took him into the factory with me. Oh well, I suppose it's all right; good
night Jane."
"Good night Dan," said Jane.
"I hope your rheumatism will be better in the morning."
"So do I," replied Dan. And up he went to bed, Jane returning to the parlor to wait for her
beau.
Bob and Esther drove through Amherst, and turned down the road leading to the Marsh.
They were going to take a ride into the country. Bob said that was the best road to take,
and Esther did not care much which way they went, so she got a ride.
While driving through a small wood, Bob seemed to be suddenly seized with an attack of
what lawyers are pleased to term emotional insanity, for he dropped the reins and leaped
from the buggy. Upon reaching the ground, he drew from the side pocket of his coat a
large revolver, and, pointing it at Esther, told her, in a loud voice, to get out of the buggy
or he would kill her where she sat. She, of course, refused to do as he requested or rather
commanded, and, as it was raining and becoming quite dark, she told him to get into the
buggy and drive her home, and not act like a crazy man. The remark about acting like a
crazy man seemed to enrage him past endurance, for he uttered several terrible oaths, and,
aiming the revolver at her heart, was about to fire, when the sound of wheels were heard
rumbling in the distance. He immediately jumped into the buggy, seized the reins, and
drove at a breakneck pace through the pouring rain to Dan's cottage. Esther was wet
through by the time they had arrived at the gate. She jumped out, opened the gate, entered
the cottage and ran up stairs without noticing Jane, whom she passed in the hall. Bob, as
soon as she got out, drove rapidly down the street.
As the hour was now ten o'clock, Esther immediately retired and, after crying herself to
sleep, slept until morning. Jane entered the room about half an hour after her sister,
engaged in prayer and then retired, without disturbing her.
For the next four days Esther seemed to be suffering from some secret sorrow. She could

not remain in the house, but was continually on the street, or at some of the neighbors'
houses, and every night she cried herself to sleep.
Of course her woe-begone appearance was noticed by the family, but they refrained from
questioning her, for the simple reason that they supposed she and Bob had quarrelled; and
as they did not approve of the attachment between him and Esther, they were rather glad
that his visits had ceased, and gave no further attention to the matter, supposing that she
would be herself again in a week or two. Bob's continued absence from the cottage--for
he used to be there every other day--strengthened them in the belief that they were right
in their supposition, and so they let the matter rest.


CHAPTER III.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
Supper is just over. Dan and Olive are in the parlor. Jane is up stairs in her room, talking
to Esther who has retired early; it being only seven o'clock, she asks Esther: "How long
she is going to continue to worry herself about Bob?"
Not receiving a reply, she puts on her heavy sack and remarks: "I am going over to see
Miss Porter, and will soon return; it is so damp and foggy to-night that, I declare, it
makes me feel sleepy too. I think I will follow your example, and retire early. Good night,
I suppose you will be asleep by the time I get back;" and off she goes.
As the night is so very damp and disagreeable, all begin to feel sleepy long before
half-past eight, and go up to their rooms.
Before Dan goes up stairs, he takes the