The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1877-03-10
PApA's STRANGE GUEST.


It.was warm June evening, md my
inEher and mother and I were seated in
our drawing room, with the long doors
leading on to the lawn thrown open, to
admit the mir. I was sitting at my
bureau, examining some Of nay jewelry,
which 7 kept there, when the door
opened, and NJ. Mention "a friend Of my
fathers staying with us at the. time)
entered. He was French Canadian |;
rather a fine.looking man, but man 1
never liked there was Il look IN his
black, sbeady eyes which, to me, was ut
once repulsiye and distrustfuL : He
looked curiously ut me, and approached.
.Mndemoisellc is, busy ?"5he' asked.
"Yes," l replied, shortly.
Ny father and mother had dropped
asleep, so, much to my disgust, NJ. Mem
ton took up his station on chair by my
side I sAy disgust, because l loathed
the tnan; his politcness always seemed
10 me unreal. rt,g1
ssMademoiselle has some fine jewels, :"
he fdmarked, presently, takingHbetween
his finger. and thumb handsome broach
ofrnbies, ~ 'EgJa @; y ! o.
eAll OF this tjjcwelry is not mine" I
answered. !" Most of it belongs to my
mother" -s+' 81 -.
Soon after, ten was announced; after
which meal NJ. Mention and my father
adjourned to the latter's study, to talk
on business, and my mother and l re.
turned to the tlrawing.room. u
Ithad finished putting away the jewelry
in the bureau, but had not shut or locked
il, -YhenI Itutned.toimy mother.
sfwhat Is this business TINT SO often
keepsN NJ Mention and papa closeted 10.
gcthef?' l inquired.
"Some money psattets, my. DEAR re-
turned my mother
Is papa in any difficulty r I inquired,
anyiously. iii
ssNo, no; but, between ourselves,
Loaisa, I think Monsieur Mention has
some heavy bills due, which. ] fancy he
cannotpay,; but il he expects that your
father can help him, he is igrieyously
mistaken. " Il .sg,si.1 B. IL ,Aa.- u
Ny mother took up n book and com;
menced torcad, whilst went over to the
piano and played. ~ s.
In about half m hour our visitor and
my fatller entered the room, the latter
again taking up his station on a chair by
mssidc, as close rs lie possibly could.
Song afteri song he made me sing; and,
much rs I would have liked to, I could
not with common civility, refuse.,
II was ten o'clock when 1 Irose from the
piano md prepared to retire to my own
room. I shut my bureau and locked il,
kissed my father and mother, and babe
Monsieur good night. ~
II was about half-past one, when I was
awakened from light sleep by hearing q
stealthy footstep in the corridor outside
my room. 1t approached my door; the
person, whoever it might be, walking
soihy and cautiously, as il fearful Of
dissirbing me. Who could it be? Ny
frstimpulse was to jump out Of bed md
see, but 1 was OF imid nature, and
imagined burglars and all sorts OF horri-
be things, so l remained still, listening
with suspended breath.
Presently the handle Of my door was
tlrnetl.S Oh, heavensl I felt paralyzed.
a man entered my room with small
ark-lantern in his hand, 'and, after paus-
insfor moment, slowly approached the
bed. / Ind just sufficient presence OF
mind to Rhut my eyes md fcign sleep as
he bent 4oycr me. I felt TINT. ho had
turned the light full on my face; his
breath famed my check. ,-.'I-- Z.
My heart bent to suffocahon, and felt
that il the ordeal lnsted much longer, I
could not control myself, and should
uetean or faint. 81 T..".,
Happily, however, the next moment
thelight was withdrawn, and my noctur-
natyiSitor left the room. n
I hcarl tho footsteps pass along the
corridor. and descend the stairs leading
10 the 1rawing-room. Then it flashed
upon me, thought Ind locked my bureau
Containing my iewelrN ! had not taken
away the key.
Ihave remarked TINT BY nature 1 was
imid; but, iat this jrncture, I I felt as
brave rs n lion, and, springinS from my
~, 1T" W W, - ttueIss sy"fA '4i"
vent TO tne he't , OF tne ,s.,i stars am ., 49,.
ineS all was dark, and I heard not u
aounIl. I begnn,to descend @lii' -
wien sos' oPpS:l!e tnS uoor ot w tig
s,'ss1 etswihsIfoonl' T @ wnlcn 1i WI Par.!Htiy
g.oseu, l saw dim 'llght pfoSeedhS
thence. Oh! my agony Of lear lest tue
s'alrs n snoGla cfeak ana netray me! j.,