An aunt of hers was alone in a house one night with her sick husband . She heard a knock at the door . And when she went and opened it there was nothing there -- nothing that could be seen , at least . But when she opened the door a deadly cold wind blew in and seemed to sweep past her right up the stairs , although it was a calm , warm summer night outside . Immediately she heard a cry . She ran upstairs -- and her husband was dead . And she always believed , so Gertrude said , that when she opened that door she let Death in . `` It was so ridiculous of me to feel so frightened . But I was distracted and worn out , and I simply felt for a moment that I dared not open the door -- that death was waiting outside . Then I remembered that I had no time to waste -- must not be so foolish -- I sprang forward and opened the door . `` Certainly a cold wind did blow in and filled the hall with a whirl of snow . But there on the threshold stood a form of flesh and blood -- Mary Vance , coated from head to foot with snow -- and she brought Life , not Death , with her , though I did n't know that then . I just stared at her . '' ' I have n't been turned out , ' grinned Mary , as she stepped in and shut the door . ' I came up to Carter Flagg 's two days ago and I 've been stormed-stayed there ever since . But old Abbie Flagg got on my nerves at last , and tonight I just made up my mind to come up here . I thought I could wade this far , but I can tell you it was as much as a bargain . Once I thought I was stuck for keeps . Ai n't it an awful night ? ' `` I came to myself and knew I must hurry upstairs .
I explained as quickly as I could XXXXX Mary , and left her trying to brush the snow off .
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