Hilda's Mascot Part 5

"Mrs. Lattinger's little girls are coming to take tea this evening,"

remarked Mrs. Farnsworth cheerily at breakfast a few mornings after, "and I gave them permission to invite any playmates they wish to accompany them."

"That is all right," replied her husband languidly.

"I have thought of several ways to entertain them, among them to dress in my great-grandmother's wedding costume."

The children came, the orchard was visited, the dove-cotes, the fish pond and garden had a share of their afternoon, then all returned to the parlor and Mrs. Farnsworth quietly slipped away to the attic.

She had taken the ancient attire from the trunk when she felt a presence near her, and turning, she saw slowly receding toward the back room a pale little lady with black gown, white kerchief and dainty lace cap.

Uttering a piercing scream, Mrs. Farnsworth fell to the floor in a swoon.

Children and servants flocked upstairs. One ran for Mr. Farnsworth who, pale as the unconscious woman at his feet, raised her in his arms and carried her down to the library and placed her upon the lounge.

One of the men-servants was sent to Dorton for Dr. Lattinger, while the frightened Lois, Phebe and Judy used the simple restoratives at command to revive her.

"Mrs. Farnsworth has suffered a severe shock to her nerves," said the doctor as she showed signs of consciousness. "Has she been frightened?"

"I think so, but no one saw her when she fainted."

"Let all leave the room except the doctor and yourself, Reginald," said the lady tremulously. "I wish to tell you something."

Children and servants were sent below and with convulsive sobs Mrs.

Farnsworth told what she had seen to the incredulous doctor and the believing husband.

"I will not remain here another day," she continued, "I would go this very evening if I could! Do not let us stay in this dreadful house, dear husband; let us go to my mother in Philadelphia."

To her infinite relief, Mr. Farnsworth did not chide or attempt to reason her out of her wish. Instead, he a.s.sured her that they would go on the early train the next morning.

"Do not leave me, Reginald!" she cried excitedly as Mr. Farnsworth was about to follow the doctor from the room. "I cannot stay a moment alone."

"No, dear, I will not go from the door; I am only waiting for the soothing drops the doctor is preparing."

"What do you think the vision was, doctor?" he continued in a low tone.

"Only an optical illusion, caused, perhaps, by stooping over the trunk.

But she must have change; take her to her mother as you promised."

The next morning husband and wife were on their way to Philadelphia, taking nothing but a few household treasures prized by Mrs. Farnsworth, and "My Lady's Manor," handsomely furnished, was placed for lease or rent in the hands of an agent.

His advertis.e.m.e.nts spoke in glowing terms of the place, and applications were numerous. The most eligible of these was accepted and a family who had never lived in the country took possession, delighted with "My Lady's Manor" and everything connected with it.

In two weeks they were back in the city, declaring they would not take the place as a gift and be compelled to live there; the little old lady had paid them two visits and they would not wait for a third.

"My Lady's Manor" was again upon the market at reduced rent, and again a Baltimore family became its occupants, but remained less than a week.

Mr. Reginald Farnsworth who, with his wife, had returned to San Francisco, notified his agent to make no further effort to rent the dwelling, but to close it and put the keys in the care of the servants, who were asked to remain in the quarters.

"My Lady's Manor" had now furnished the neighborhood with four items of discussion: "What caused the death of Joshua Farnsworth?" "Who was the stranger?" "How did he escape from the roof?" "Why did the spectre represent Mrs. Farnsworth instead of her husband?"

These questions could not be answered, and the superst.i.tious ones of the community avoided the place after nightfall and in their vocabulary it was spoken of as "the haunted house."

CHAPTER IV-A VISIT TO FRIEDENHEIM

Anna Ashburton's parting with her Dorton friends, especially Mrs.

Ashley, was a trial to her, but their sympathy cheered and strengthened, and in comparatively good spirits she set out for Springfield.

She felt self-condemned that she had been reluctant to accept Mrs.

Lacy's offer of a home when she saw the genuine pleasure with which she was welcomed by the sister of her foster mother.

The young people of Mrs. Lacy's large circle of friends rejoiced that an amiable, attractive girl was added to their list, and the festivities at the Lacy mansion were a delight to all.

Mr. Valentine Courtney, Mrs. Ashley and other intimate friends wrote to her in response to her letters, telling of her safe arrival and cordial reception, and congratulated her heartily upon having another mother in Mrs. Lacy and pleasant companions.h.i.+p in the young people of Springfield.

They kept her apprised of all the happenings in Dorton and its neighborhood, told her of the grief of Lois, Phebe and Judy who could not speak without tears of the absence of their young mistress, but of the spectre that had frightened the superst.i.tious from "My Lady's Manor"

they made no mention.

Had the apparition taken any other form than that of Mrs. Joshua Farnsworth, they might have mentioned it in a spirit of jesting; as it was, no one in Dorton would thus wound her.

She was aware that Mr. Reginald Farnsworth had remained but a few months at "My Lady's Manor," but had heard that his wife insisted upon going to Philadelphia, and from thence to California, her widowed mother accompanying her.

That "My Lady's Manor" was unoccupied she attributed to a rich man's indifference. That the servants remained in their quarters was no surprise to her, well knowing that Mr. Farnsworth could find no better care-takers.

It was therefore a great surprise to her when one day the Baltimore lawyer called to inform her that Mr. and Mrs. Farnsworth asked her as a favor to them to accept "My Lady's Manor" as a gift.

It was not until she read their letter in which they besought her pardon for the injustice done her, that she realized that the dear home of her childhood was restored to her, and with happy tears she thanked the one who brought the good news to her.

Visits had been frequent between Anna and Mrs. Warfield during the winter and early spring, Mrs. Ashley being the tie that bound them in close friends.h.i.+p, and Anna lost no time in going to the farmhouse to impart the information that "My Lady's Manor" was again in her possession; and before she left, it was decided that they would go to Dorton the following week as a surprise to their Maryland friends.

Mrs. Warfield was as eager for this visit as was Anna; for Norman Ashley had fallen in battle, and she hoped to bring her sister and Hilda Brinsfield to make their home with her in the farmhouse.

Mrs. Lacy had never admired Anna more than upon the morning she and Mrs.

Warfield set out for Maryland. The light of happiness beamed in her brilliant eyes, for she was returning to her childhood's home, doubly prized because once lost and mourned.

Mr. Valentine Courtney was on a business trip to Europe, but she would visit his sister at "Friedenheim," see the places where he had been, would again be with her loved Mrs. Ashley and Hilda, see again the Lattingers and the Merrymans, sit again in Dorton church, and walk again on the banks of the clear flowing stream, the favorite walk of the villagers.

Mrs. Warfield had reached the station at Springfield and was waiting her arrival. Soon the Lacy carriage drew up to the spot where she stood, the footman opened the door, and Anna stepped out as radiant as a May morning.

Together they entered the car, the whistle sounded, they were on their way, and had nearly reached the next halting place when there was a collision, then wails of mortal pain and Mrs. Warfield knew no more.

When consciousness returned she found herself in the waiting-room of the depot, and near her lay Anna Ashburton, dying, but rational, and dictating to an attorney her wishes in regard to the disposal of her property, Mrs. Warfield and others witnessing her signature to the doc.u.ment written by him.

"My Lady's Manor" was bequeathed to her intended husband, Valentine Courtney, and the will was given in charge of Mrs. Warfield to deliver to Mrs. Lacy.

A few hours after the bright young life was ended and Mrs. Warfield accompanied all that remained of the lovely Anna Ashburton to the sorrow-stricken home in Springfield.