This also appeared to be deserted, and there was no sign of life any where about it; still it was not dilapidated like the other buildings which he had passed, and it looked as if, from time to time, some careful hand had trained and pruned the vines, and kept the place from falling to ruin. It had originally been painted white, with green blinds, and a neat fence surrounded the spacious garden; but time and the elements had robbed it of its once spotless coat, and but for the vines it would have looked naked and forlorn. Everet rode up to the hitching-post, dismounted and tied his horse to it, unfastened the low gate and walked up the grass-grown path to the broad veranda that ran entirely around the house. Every window was curtained, and every curtain was down, and the front door was securely fastened. The young man stood irresolute a moment as he observed this. “It cannot be that any one lives here,” he muttered; “I am quite sure that this must be the Dale cottage, and yet it looks as if it were inhabited.” He walked slowly around the veranda, trying to peer in at the side of the curtains as he passed the windows, but not a glimpse of the interior could he obtain. There was another door at the back of the house. He tried this also, but it was evidently bolted on the inside, for he could hear the bolt rattle in its socket. He shook it gently back and forth a few times, in an impatient way, for he was very anxious to know what was behind all those closely drawn curtains, when, to his surprise, the door suddenly yielded and opened. The iron had rattled from its place. Stepping within, he found himself in what appeared to be a kitchen, for there was a cooking stove under the mantel; a dresser filled with dishes stood on the east side, and there was a small table, with one or two chairs opposite. There was a door on his left. Crossing the floor, which was covered with dust, and showed the print of every step, he passed into a small bedroom. A faded carpet lay upon the floor. A bed, covered with a canopy of musquito netting, which once had been blue, but was now faded and discolored with age and dust, stood in one corner. Pretty lace draperies fell over the window shades, and were looped back with broad satin ribbons, which were also blue. A cherry table and a couple of wicker chairs completed the furnishing of the apartment. A second door led into another room from this. This stood open, and, passing through, Everet found himself in what must have been the parlor, for it extended the whole width of the house, and had been both richly and tastefully furnished, although, of course, everything was now faded and covered with dust, and had a look of neglect that was forlorn and cheerless.