d until late by some of my tenants; John was
out, and I dare not return in the night alone. I must go back to-day. It
will take me a week to settle my business. If I am obliged to stay out
again I will send one of John's daughters to sleep with you."----"You
need not give yourself that trouble, replied Melissa; I am under no
apprehension of staying here alone; nothing can get into or out of these
premises."----"Well, thou hast wonderful courage, child, said her aunt;
but I shall be as frequently here as possible, and as soon as my
business is settled, I shall be absent no more." So saying, she bade
Melissa good morning, and set off for her residence at the dwelling of
John.

She did not return in two days. The second night of her absence, Melissa
was sitting in her chamber reading, when she heard a noise as of several
people trampling in the yard below. She arose, cautiously raised the
window, and looked out. It was extremely dark; she thought she might
have been discovered.

Her aunt came the next day, and told her she was obliged to go into the
country to collect some debts of those to whom she had rented lands: she
should be gone a few days, and as soon as she returned should come
there. "The keys of the house, said she, I shall leave with you. The
gate I shall lock, and leave that key with John, who will come here as
often as necessary, to assist you, and see if you want any thing." She
then went off, leaving Melissa not dissatisfied with the prospect of her
absence.

Melissa amused herself in evenings by reading in the few books her aunt
had brought there, and in the day, in walking around the yard and
garden, or in traversing the rooms of the antique building. In some,
were the remains of ancient furniture, others were entirely empty.
Cobwebs and mouldering walls were the principal ornaments left.

One evening as she was about retiring to rest, she thought she heard the
same trampling noise in the yard, as on a former occasion. She stepped
softly to the window, suddenly raised it, and held out the candle. She
listened and gazed with anxious solicitude, but discovered nothing more.
All was silent; she shut the window, and in a short time went to bed.

Some time in the night she was suddenly awakened by a sharp sound,
apparently near her. She started in a trembling panic, but endeavoured
to compose herself with the idea, that something had fallen from the
shelves. As she lay musing upon the incident, she heard