Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

248 of a very handsome woman. He was study- ing her with intense curiosity. “And you are comfortable in the Gate- house?”’ he suddenly rapped out at her, as if asking some question of which the answer was crucial. ‘“Ah, but so comfortable,” she said. “Such a delightful atmosphere. I have never known a house that felt so peaceful and homelike. Or is it merely fanciful to imagine that some houses have a sense of tranquillity about them and others are un- easy and even terrible?” | Charles stared at her a moment in silence before he recollected his manners. “No, there may easily be something in it, I should say,” he answered. ‘‘ One can imagine long centuries of tranquillity actu- ally investing a home with some sort of psychical aura perceptible to those who are sensitive.”’ She turned to Madge. “‘ And yet I have heard a ridiculous story that the house is supposed to be haunted,” she said. ‘If it is, it is surely haunted by delightful, contented spirits.” Dinner was over; Madge rose. ‘Come in very soon, Tony,” she said to me, “and let’s get to our bridge.” But her eyes said: ‘“‘ Don’t leave me long alone with her.” Charles turned briskly round when the door had shut. “ An extremely interesting woman,” he said. ‘““ Very handsome,” said I. “Is she? I didn’t notice. Her mind, her spirit, that’s what intrigued me. What is she? What’s behind? Why did Fungus turn tail like that? Queer, too, about her finding the atmosphere of the Gatehouse so tranquil. The late tenants, I remember, didn’t find that soothing touch about it!” “ How do you account for that?” I asked. ‘“‘There might be several explanations. You might say that the late tenants were fanciful imaginative people, and that the present tenant is a sensible, matter-of-fact woman. Certainly she seemed to be.” “Or?” I suggested. He laughed. “Well, you might say—mind, I didn’t say so—but you might say that the—the ARGOSY-ALLSTORY = WEEKLY. spiritual tenants of the house- find Mrs. Acres a congenial companion, and want to retain her. So they keep quiet, and don’t upset the cook’s nerves!” Somehow this answer exasperated and jarred on me. ‘What do you mean?” I said. “ The spiritual tenant of the house, I suppose, is the man who betrayed his brother and hanged himself. Why should he find a charming woman like Mrs. Acres a congenial companion ?’’ Charles got up briskly. Usually he is more than ready to discuss such topics, but to-night it seemed that he had no such inclination. ‘“‘ Didn’t Madge tell us not to be long?” he asked. “ You know how I run on if I once get on that subject, Tony, so don’t give me the opportunity.” “But why did you say that?” I per- sisted. ‘“* Because I was talking nonsense. You know me as well enough to be aware that I am a habitual criminal in that respect.” It was indeed strange to find how com- pletely both the first impression that Madge had formed of Mrs. Acres, and the feeling that followed so quickly on its heels was indorsed by those who, during the next week or two, did a neighbor’s duty to the newcomer. All were loud in praise of her charm, her pleasant, kindly wit, her good looks, her beautiful clothes, but even while this Lob-gesang was in full chorus, it would suddenly die away, and an uneasy silence descended, which, somehow, was more elo- quent than all the appreciative speech. Odd, unaccountable little incidents had occurred, which were whispered from mouth to mouth till they became common prop- erty. The same fear that Fungus had shown of her was exhibited by another dog. A parallel case occurred when she returned the call of our parson’s wife. Mrs. Dow- lett had a cage of canaries in the window of her drawing-rooms These birds had mani- fested” symptoms of extreme terror when Mrs. Acres entered the room, beating them- selves against the wires of their cage, and uttering the alarm note. She inspired some sort of inexplicable fear, over which we, as trained and civilized human beings, had COMmiclboo SS C©