“That is what we all think,” responded Cecil. “Mother says that with her blue eyes and golden hair she reminds her of the angels we see in pictures.”
The fishpond, the dove-cote and orchard belonging to “My Lady’s Manor” were visited, then they halted at the servants’ quarters and obtained the key, unlocked the front door, passed in and closed it behind them.
With almost awe at the silence, they went through the dim, richly furnished rooms, then mounted the stairs to have a view from the roof.
So full of interest was the sight of their native city to Ralph and James that it was near noon when they descended. Talking gaily, they reached the attic, and were surprised to see a little old lady in black slowly receding toward the back room.
Roy and Cecil had heard through the colored people of the apparition which made them afraid to pass the mansion late at night, but had been trained to have no belief in the supernatural, so without hesitation followed.
The spectre had glided through the door of the back attic room, but when they reached it, it was empty and silent; and perplexed, they descended to the quarters to give up the key and to deliver the message in regard to Miss Ashburton.
The boys were aware of the servants’ attachment to their young mistress, but were not expecting the outburst of grief the disclosure of her death called forth, as they sobbed and moaned in the abandonment of woe, genuine and awe-stricken from the suddenness with which a long cherished hope had been shattered.
“We can’t stay here no more,” cried Lois with streaming eyes, “we only stayed to keep the place nice for Miss Anna; she is done gone! She will never, never come, and we must go.”
“Perhaps the owner of ‘My Lady’s Manor’ will like you to stay,” suggested Roy, deeply touched, as were the other boys.
“No, we can’t stay; Miss Anna is done gone, this is no home for us no more! Pore Miss Anna that was kept out of the home that ol’ missus done give her! She was so pretty and sweet and kind and would have been living and well and happy if she hadn’t been turned out of her home. Pore Miss Anna!”