The Beaufort tribune and Port Royal commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1877-1879, 1877-03-22
PAPA'S STRANGE GUEST.

n
father and mother and I were seated IN
our drawing-room, with the long doors
leading on to the lawn thrown open, to
admit the air. I was sitting at my
bureau, examining some of my iewelry,
which I 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 fne-looking man, but man |
never liked; there was look in his
black, beady eyes which, to me, was at
once repulsive and distrustful. He
looked curiously at me, and approached.
Mademoiselle is busy?" he asked.
eyes," I replied, shortly.
Nv father and mother had dropped
asleep, so, much to my disgust, NJ. Men
ton took up his station on a chair by my
side. I say disgust, because l loathed
the man his poiteness always seemed
to me unreal.
Mademoiselle has some fine jewels, :"
he remarked, presently, taking between
his finger and thumb handsome broach
of rubies.
"All of this jewelry is not mine" 1
answered. "Most of it belongs to my
mother"
Soon after, tea was announced; after
which meal M. Mention and nay father
adjourned to the latter's study, to talk
on business, and my mother and re-
turned to the drawing-room.
had finished putting away the jewelry
in the bureau, but had not shut or locked
it. when I turned to my mother.
"What is this business that SO often
keeps al. Mention and papa closeted to-
gether?" l inquired.
"Some money matters, my dear" re-
turned my mother.
"Is papa in any difficulty Inquired,
annously.
"No, no; but, between ourselves,
Louisa, think Monsieur Mention has
some heavy bills due, which / fancy he
can not pay but if he expects that your
father can help him, he IS grievously
mistaken"
MY mother took up q book and COM
menced to read, whilst went over to the
piano and played.
In about half an hour our visitor and
nv father entered the room, the latter
again taking up his station on q chair by
, my side, as close as he possibly could.
Song after song he made me sing; and,
much as I would have liked to, could
not, with common civility, refuse.
It was ten o'clock when l rose from the
piano end prepared to retire to my own
room. I shut my bureau and locked it,
kissed my father and mother, and bade
Monsieur good night.
1t was about half-past one, when l was
awakened from light sleep by hearing
stealthy footstep in the corridor outside
nv room. 1t approached my door; the
person, whoever it might be, walking
softly and cautiously, as If fearful OF
disturbing me. Who could it be? My
first impulse was to Jump out of bed and
see; but I was of timid nature, and
imagined burglars and oil sorts of horrl-
bic things, so I remained stu, listening
with suspended breath.
Presently the handle Of my door was
turned. Oh, heavens! I felt paralyzed:
A man entered my room with small
dark-lantern in his hand, and, after paus-
ing for moment, slowly approached the
bed. I had just sufficient presence OF
mind to shut my eyes and feign sleep as
he bent over me- I felt that he had
turned the light full on my face; his
breath famed my cheek.
NV heart beat to suffocation, and felt
that if the ordeal lasted much longer, l
could not control myself, and should
scream or faint.
Happily, however, the next moment
the light was withdrawn, and my noctur-
nal visitor left the room.
heard the footsteps pass along the
corridor, and descend the stairs leading
to the drawing-room. Then 1t flashed
upon me, though had locked my bureau
containing my jewelry, 1 had not taken
away the key.
I have remarked that by nature I was
timid; but, at this juncture, [ felt as
brave as lion, and, springing from my
bed, threw on my dressing-gown and
went to the head of the stairs.
I paused. A dreadful fear came over
me- All was dark, and heard not
sound. began to descend.
When I get opposite the door OF the
drawing-roem, which was partially
closed, I saw a dim light proceeding
thence. On! my agony of fear lest the
stairs should creak and betray me!
On reaching the door of the room, 1
saw to my delight that the key was In the
lock outside. But if I should not be
successful in making this william pris-
oner.
shuddered at the thought. How this
man had got into the house | could not
tell. He must be friend of one OF the
servants, / conjectured.
Ny hand was upon the key of the door,
when the handle, with sharp click, be-
trayed me.
heard quick step across the apart
ment A moment decided me.
must feign somnambuism.
In another instant the door was opened,
and l, with my eyes fixed wide open,
entered the room.
The thief started back with smothered
exclamation of surprise.
I dared not look at Him, but walked
straight past him to the bureau, and
spoke the following words disjointedly
81 left my key here. Where can il
be ?"
The-man walked over to the other enc
~ Soa faosn VheYs an nvayseaf ra,