When the boys returned to “Friedenheim” they gave a full account of their visit, and after they had gone to the lawn for a game of ball, their elders sat in the seclusion of the library and wondered, as they had always done, over the mystery of the apparition.
The servants left the next day for one of the lower counties of Maryland, and “My Lady’s Manor” was deserted. Silence reigned in the servants’ quarters as well as in the spacious rooms of the mansion; sunlight was shut out and spiders spun their webs in the door-ways of the cabins, as well as between the lofty pillars of the piazza.
CHAPTER V—HILDA’S NEW CARE-TAKER
Two days after the accident which had caused Mrs. Warfield to return to her farmhouse with nerves so disturbed by terror, pain and grief that she was ill for several weeks, little Hilda Brinsfield was playing under the shade of an apple tree in the garden back of the cottage of Mrs. Ashley, it being one of the ideal days frequently enjoyed even in early spring.
“Hilda,” called a subdued voice from the window, “come in, dear, and stay by your aunt while I get supper.”
The little girl made no response, but laying her doll upon the bank beside her, she took up a book and applied herself diligently to spelling the words of three letters which described the gay pictures.
“Hilda!” And now Diana Strong was sitting beside her with one of her little hands in hers.
“Oh, child,” she said in an endearing tone, “you will regret it some day that you are not willing to leave your play to sit a few minutes beside the sweet lady who loves you so dearly! Come now, come!”
A frown darkened the fair brow of the child, and, throwing the book upon the ground, her foot came down upon it with a quick, angry stamp.
Diana said no more, but taking her and the doll in her strong arms carried her to the house in spite of her struggles for release, and, putting her down by the door of Mrs. Ashley’s room, gently pushed her in. Ill as she was, the flashing eyes and flushed cheeks of the little girl attracted the attention of Mrs. Ashley, and she sighed deeply.