The Arm Chair Library No. 79: The Haunted Homestead — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

strength, sternness, perhaps cruelty (if necessary), I replied, still studying the portrait. “Who could it have been ?” “TE know not, indeed; some old, old member of the Vaughan family.” “Nay, I do not think the portrait 1s of such ancient date. To be sure, it is dilapidated, but that seems to be more from abuse than from time. And, observe, the costume is mod- ern.” “So it is!” . “T had not thought of that before. Well, now, since you have said so, [ begin to surmise that this may be the portrait of Madeliene Van Der Vaughan.” “And who was she?” [I inquired, with as much indifference as I could assume. “Oh, the last lineal descendant of the elder branch of the family and the last heiress of this old estate; she mar- ried her first cousin, Wolfgand Van Der Vaughan.” “And what was her history and her fate?” I inquired, striving to restrain rs betrayal of the intense interest I elt. “Oh, her history was as painful as her fate was tragic.” “And—well ?” | “Hush! there is some one coming! I will tell you another time!” It was Mrs. Legare who entered, and, smiling a sort of salutation to me, and opening a letter she held in her hand, said: _“My dear Mathilde, we are to. have more company. Your cousin, Rachel Noales, is coming; she will be here|P this afternoon!” “Oh, I should be so glad if we only had room for her!” exclaimed Ma- thilde impulsively, and then she blushed deeply in having spoken thus freely of their crowded state in the presence of a guest, _ a THE HAUNTED HOMESTEAD. 05 “My dear Mathilde,” said I, “as mine is a double-bedded chamber, I should be very happy to have Miss Rachel for a room-mate; that is, if it would be agreeable to herself.” “Thank you, Agnes, dear. Agree- able! Why, it would be the very thing. Rachel Noales is the greatest coward that ever ran, and would no more sleep in a strange room by her- self than she would in a church-yard. If you had not kindly offered, some of us girls would have to take her in, although we are all sleeping double now.” | “But are you sure, my dear Agnes, that you will not be mcommoded,” kindly inquired Mrs. Legare. “Incommoded? Not in the least; the arrangement suits me to a nicety,” I rephed. And so in truth it did; for let me confess that, while I could not pre- vail upon myself to shorten my visit, and leave the house with its great mystery unsolved, the prospect of sleeping alone in that chamber cursed with crime appalled me; but in com- pany with a companion of my own age, it would be a very different af- fair. “That horrid portrait! Take it into the attic, Jet,” said Mrs. Legare, as her eyes fell upon the ci devant fire- screen. ee The little maid took up the picture and carried it off as commanded. Then there was a visit of inspection and preparation paid to my room. Fresh sheets and more blankets were ut upon the second, bed, fresh nap- kins laid, and then mother and daugh- ter and little maid departed. Through the remainder of that day L had no further opportunity of learn- ing from Mathilde the history of the dark lady. | Late that afternoon, Uncle Judah comicbooks:c