I like to fancy, and I know it is Paul's belief,
that the spirit of my Ida influenced you to come to us just as you came,
that under her form Paul might fall in love with you. In no other way but
just this do I believe he could have been cured of his infatuation."
Owing to the precarious condition of Miss Ludington's health, Paul and
Ida would not consent to leave home for any bridal trip.
It was but a week after the wedding that, on going into Miss Ludington's
room as usual the first thing in the morning, Ida found her dead. She
must have expired very quietly, if not, indeed, in her sleep, for her
room adjoined that of the bridal couple, and she could have summoned Ida
with the touch of a bell. Her features were relaxed in a smile of joyous
recognition.
* * * * * *
Paul took his wife to Europe directly after the funeral. One night,
during their absence, a fire, probably set by tramps, broke out in one of
the empty houses of the village, and, the wind being high and no help
near, all the buildings on the place, including the homestead, were
completely destroyed.
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