84
OLD FIRES AND PROFITABLE GHOSTS
morning, when they stood corded in the hall, I sent Mrs. Carkeek upstairs upon some poor excuse, and stepped alone into the pantry.
"‘Margaret!' I whispered.
"There was no answer at all. I had scarcely dared to hope for one. Yet I tried again, and, shutting my eyes this time, stretched out both hands and whispered:
"‘Margaret!'
"And I will swear to my dying day that two little hands stole and rested—for a moment only—in mine."