A New Fear by R.L. Stine

Author:R.L. Stine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 1996-10-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Nicholas Fear. He repeated the name to himself as he ran back down Fear Street, suitcase in hand.

Fear Street. A street named afterhis family. Even Rosalyn’s father did not have a street named after him.

The rain pelted Nicholas, drenching him to the bone. But he did not care.

This is the place I will make my fortune, he thought. I know it.Know it.

The land I am running on belongs to me. My legacy from my father. I will build a house here. Bigger than any house in town.

Nicholas grinned when he reached the Fear Street sign. He rounded the corner and raced down the street lined with small houses. Lights glowed in the windows. He could see one family having their supper together.

He turned onto the main street. It stood almost deserted, the shops closed.

Nicholas caught sight of a man scurrying along the muddy sidewalk. He asked for directions to a boardinghouse before the man rushed past him.

Nicholas continued to imagine what his new life would be like as he headed to the boardinghouse. He would definitely buy an automobile, he decided, remembering the Runabout he had seen by the bank. He and Rosalyn would take a drive every Sunday.

And he would buy Rosalyn as many dresses as she wanted. She would be the most beautiful woman in town. Everyone would recognize them as they motored by. There go the Fears, they would whisper. The richest family in town.

Nicholas spotted the big blue house the man had described. He dashed up the steps, but hesitated to knock on the door.

I certainly do not look like the richest man in town today, Nicholas thought. He was soaked. His shirt had a tear in it, and his small suitcase appeared shabbier than ever. He wondered if the landlady would even give him a room.

The door squeaked as a teenage girl threw it open. A bright yellow ribbon held her blond hair behind her head. A few brown freckles dotted her nose. Her blue eyes twinkled as she smiled up at him.

“I am Betsy Winter. My mother owns the boardinghouse. I noticed you come up the walk. I hope you are looking for a room,” she exclaimed.

Relieved, Nicholas returned her smile. “As a matter of fact, I am.”

“Momma!” she called over her shoulder. “We have a new boarder!”

“Won’t your mother want to ask me some questions?”

“I think you are handsome,” Betsy replied. “That is all I need to know. Come on in.”

Handsome! Nicholas felt his face grow warm. He hoped Betsy did not notice his embarrassment.

Nicholas stepped into a large parlor. Lace curtains hung at the windows. Carefully dusted porcelain figurines sat on tiny tables scattered throughout the room.

He felt awkward. Much too big and clumsy for the dainty room. And he was dripping all over the carpet.

A small woman bustled in. Nicholas noticed that her hair was the same blond as Betsy’s, with a little gray streaked through it. Mrs. Winter also had a sprinkling of freckles across her nose.

“Momma, this is our new boarder.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.