What elements in "the gift of magi" create the sespense?

The items mentioned in pages 3 & 5 as well as the setting can give the audience an impression that they are spectators of a pair of ghosts that live in a haunted apartment. If we look at the items in the script; they are old, dull and even faded. It’s possible the author wants to give the viewer and producer the idea that the ambient or environment should be sad, dull and weary. The items such as the faded curtains can give an impression of an old haunted house due to the fact that in old gothic literature many of the items especially the curtains had a faded color instead of a vibrant color. Then we have the worn rug and cheap pictures; by visibly seeing this we can determine that someone lives in this apartment or that someone used to live in it.

However, something very different can also be said about the setting as well. It’s possible the author wants the place to look dull to give the impression that the people there are very poor and due to that it’s possible that they will have a rough situation coming up.

I hope this helps you

the narrator is saying that the old lady made her feel uncomfortable. you know this because they say "i found that rather irksome", "perhaps it was her being so upright and trim", and "i don't think it was that, because i thought that quaintly pleasant." hope this !