'It is all very well in summer here, but it is lonesome-like in winter since the family went away.

And my husband's been ill for some weeks too--I have to sit up with him most nights.

Last night, just before the snow began, I did get such a fright--all of a sudden something seemed to come banging at our door, and then I heard a queer breathing like.

I opened the door, but there was nothing to be seen, but perhaps it was that that made me look strange when Miss here,' pointing to me, 'asked me if the house was haunted.
Whatever it was that came to our door certainly rushed off this way.' "'A dog, or even a cat, perhaps,' said Mary.
"The woman shook her head.
"'A cat couldn't have made such a noise, and there's not a dog about the place,' she said.
"I listened with great interest--but Mary's thoughts were otherwise engaged.

There was not a doubt that the snow-storm, instead of going off, was increasing in severity.