without disturbing her.

For the next four days Esther seemed to be suffering from some secret
sorrow. She could not remain in the house, but was continually on the
street, or at some of the neighbors' houses, and every night she cried
herself to sleep.

Of course her woe-begone appearance was noticed by the family, but they
refrained from questioning her, for the simple reason that they supposed
she and Bob had quarrelled; and as they did not approve of the
attachment between him and Esther, they were rather glad that his visits
had ceased, and gave no further attention to the matter, supposing that
she would be herself again in a week or two. Bob's continued absence
from the cottage--for he used to be there every other day--strengthened
them in the belief that they were right in their supposition, and so
they let the matter rest.




CHAPTER III.

THE HAUNTED HOUSE.


Supper is just over. Dan and Olive are in the parlor. Jane is up stairs
in her room, talking to Esther who has retired early; it being only
seven o'clock, she asks Esther: "How long she is going to continue to
worry herself about Bob?"