nce, "if it does not look like a skull!"

My companion shrugged his shoulders, but did not reply. The comparison
was evidently not a new one to him.

That evening, in a comfortable inn parlor, I read the following
manuscript. It was placed in my hands by this kindly stranger, who in so
doing explained that it had been written by the last occupant of the
old inn I was so nearly on the point of investigating. She had been its
former landlady, and had clung to the ancient house long after decay had
settled upon its doorstep and desolation breathed from its gaping
windows. She died in its north room, and from under her pillow the
discolored leaves were taken, the words of which I now place before you.

JANUARY 28, 1775.

I do not understand myself. I do not understand my doubts nor can I
analyze my fears. When I saw the carriage drive off, followed by the
wagon with its inexplicable big box, I thought I should certainly regain
my former serenity. But I am more uneasy than ever. I cannot rest, and
keep going over and over in my mind the few words that passed between us
in their short stay under my roof. It is her face that haunts me. It
must be that, for it had a strange look of trouble in it as well as
sickness; but neither can I forget his, so fair, so merry, and yet so
unpleasant, especially when he glanced at her and--as I could not help
but think before they went away--when he glanced at me. I do not like
him, and the chills creep over me whenever I remember his laugh, which
was much too frequent to be decent, considering how poorly his young
wife looked.

They are gone, and their belongings with them; but I am as much afraid
as if they were still here. Why? That is what I cannot tell. I sit in
the room where they slept, and feel as strange and terrified as if I had
encountered a ghost there. I dread to stay and dread to move and write,
because I must relieve myself in some way--that is, if I am to have any
sleep to-night. Am I ill, or was there something unexplained and
mysterious in their actions? Let me go over the past and see.

They came last evening about twilight. I was in the front of the house,
and seeing such a good-looking couple in the carriage, and such a pile
of baggage with them that they had to have an extra wagon to carry it, I
ran out in all haste to welcome them. She had a veil drawn over her
face, and it was so thick that I could not see her features, but her
figure was slight and gra