judgment, altering the whole tenor of my thoughts, and if not
exactly transforming the situation into one of cheerfulness and
ease, at least robbing it of much of that sepulchral character which
had hitherto made it so nearly unbearable to me. The surroundings,
too, seemed to partake of the new spirit of life which had seized
me. The room looked less shadowy, and lost some of that element of
mystery which had made its dimly seen corners the possible abode of
supernatural visitants. Even the clock ticked less lugubriously, and
that expressionless face on the pillow--

Great God! it is looking at me! With two wide open, stony eyes it is
staring into my very soul like a spirit from the tomb, awakening
there a horror infinitely deeper than any I had felt before, though
I knew it was but the signal of returning life to the sufferer, and
that I ought to rouse myself and welcome it with suitable
ministrations, instead of sitting there like a statue of fear in
the presence of an impending fate. But do what I would, say to
myself what I would, I could not stir. A nightmare of terror was
upon me, and not till I saw the stony lips move and the face take a
look of life in the effort made to speak, did I burst the spell that
held me and start to my feet. Even then I dared not look around nor
raise my voice to warn the sleeper behind me that the moment so long
waited for had come. A power behind myself seemed to hold me silent,
waiting, watching for those words that struggled to life so
painfully before me. At last they came, filling the room with echoes
hollow as they were awful!

"Dwight! Guy! If you do not want me to haunt you, swear you will
never divulge what took place between you and Mr. Barrows at the
mill."