The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-08-04

Miss sent bite ana SIP, Satd she
Tea rests US old folks nightly. GOOD
night"
"Good night" I said, II expect I shall
sleep soon; | must be up early, though
for have bills to pay. have some hun
dreds of dollars with me to pay out to-mor
row, and it's in this bag"
She looked at me in q queer sort Of &
way, and fingered beside me. At last she
spoke: 'Iook ye, sill" she said, II think
that folks of your age do wrong to lock
doors on themselves. You might be i'll al
night, and who'd get in to you? Leave
your door unlocked"
The moment she was gone | turned the
key.
Was it this woman's practice TO beg
travellers who stopped with her mistress
not to lock their doors? Was there some
baleful poison in the cup she had given
me
1t was an innocent looking cup enough
an old-fashioned affair covered with lit
tie gilt sprigs. The tea was fragrant hyson:
but the suspicion that Lad crept into my
mind tainted it. I fancied a strange color,
curious smell. put it from me and
would not have tasted it for kingdom.
| had not intended to sleep, and | did
not undress myself. merely removed my
disguise, and sat down beside the table
with my pistols beside me. That some at
tempt might be shortly made to murder
me felt to be possible. I thought of all
the old tales that had heard of trap-doors
and sliding panels, and secret entrances
to travellers rooms. I was not a coward,
but felt strangely nervous and singular
ly enough for man Of my perfect health,
my hands were growing cold, and my feet
were Jumps Of ice, while my head was
burning hot.
Fifteen minutes had passed, and the fire
was kindled, but the room was not warm.
The blue flames struggled among the black
Goals, and flung forked tongues tipped
with yellow into the room. There was no
thing cheerful about the stove, though it
was ofthat open style now called Franklin.
Yet, drew chair toward it from habit,
and sat with my feet upon the hearth. I
do not know how long | sat there.
Suddenly became aware that I was not
myself. ] was losing my senses. II unseen
hands had been clasped about my neck,
and an unseen knee had been pressed
against my chest, my sensations could have
been no different.
A thought of the evil spirit which my
friend had suggested, family struggled in
to my mind. As staggered to my feet,
a noise like the roaring of the sea was in
my ears. The flame of the candle turned
to a great yellow blur. | barely retained
strength enough to stagger to the window
and fling it open. The fresh, cold winter
air rushed in at it. It gave me intense
pain, bnt it revived me. In q moment more
| was able to Chamber out oft upon shed
below.
There | remained until the daydawn.
With my returning senses the truth came
to me. That which had murdered the
three men who had slept before me in the
blue chamber, was nothing more or less
than the coal stove.
1t was provided with what is called a
damper, and this being caught in man
ner which closed it, sent the poisonous gas
into the room. 1t had been kindled as a
wood fire would have been at the hour of
retiring, by one quite ignorant of the dan
ger possible from the coal gas, and they
had slept never to awaken. Had I thrown
myself upon the bed, also should have
been found dead at daylight, in all human
probability.
AS for the fact that neither doctor nor
coroner discovered the truth, I have but
to say that they were not deeply scientific
men-that coal stoves we're scarcely used
in the place, and that it had not been men
toned that%the blue chamber was thus
heated.
Of course I rejoiced the household by
my discovery the next morning, and equal
ly, OF course, Madame Matteau was not on
ly freed from all suspicion, but became
the object Of universal sympathy. She was
always grateful to me, and she proved her
gratitude by giving me what ! soon asked
for, the hand of her daughter Gabrielle in
--s-----
TRYING SITUATION.