spend the day
with her. She said that she was low-spirited and wanted company to keep
off the "blues." She was very nervous, and she could not take an
interest in anything. She said several times that Lucille was the most
wonderful person she had ever met, and that she had heard things which
convinced her of Lucille's supernatural powers; but she carefully
avoided stating anything definite relative to the revelations made to
her. Finally she commenced to write a long letter, and Miss Seaton
became absorbed in a novel.

After some time the Captain came in, looking very solemn, and Miss
Seaton saw that he wished to have a private talk with Mrs. Thayer.
Accordingly she rose to leave the room, remarking that she was going
down town in the evening and would like to have Mrs. Thayer accompany
her. Miss Seaton knew that it was very improbable that Mrs. Thayer would
go, on account of the fatigue and excitement of the morning; but she
hoped that the latter would give her the letter to put in the
post-office. On hearing the approach of the Captain, Mrs. Thayer had
hastily concealed her writing materials, thus showing that she was
writing to Pattmore. On entering her own room, Miss Seaton took a seat
close by a door which connected the two rooms. This door was nailed up
and the cracks had been filled with cotton; but she quickly pulled out
the filling and obtained an excellent opening to hear all the
conversation in the next room.

The Captain first asked his sister when she would be ready to return to
Springfield with him. She replied that she would go as soon as she felt
able to stand the journey.

"Annie," said he, in an impressive manner, "I fear that you are
deceiving me, and that you intend to do me harm. Why do you seek my
life? You know that I have done all I could for you, and that I will
continue to do so. Why, then, do you wish to poison me? I know that you
have poison with you, and that I am the only one for whom it can be
intended."

"No, no, you are wrong," replied Mrs. Thayer, in trembling tones; "you
are my brother, and why should I wish to injure you?"

"Annie, I know that you have poison about you," said the Captain,
firmly, "and I am afraid to remain with you any longer. I have forgiven
you once, but now it is my duty to cast you off; _you are plotting to
take my life_."

"Who told you this? What reason have I given you for thinking so?"
demanded Mrs. Thayer.

"I have been to see a wonderful fortune-te