The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-11
:Papa's Strange Guest.

va AAA oNAA NA""AAS AooAuS "4eA OAO
long doors leading on to the lawn
thrown open, to admit the air. was
sitting at my bureau, examining some
of my jewelry, which I kept there,
when the door opened, and NJ. Mention
(friend of my fathers staying with
us at the time) entered. He was 4
French Canadian, rather tine-lOoking
man, but a man l never liked there
was look in his black, beady eyes
which, to me, was at once repulsive
and distrusttul. lie looked suriously
at me, and approached.
''Mademoiselle is busy p he asked.
Yes replied shortly.
My father and mother had dropped
asleep, so, much to my disgust, NJ.
Mention took up his station ON chair
by my side. say disgust, because l
loathed the man his politeness always
seemed to me unreal.
"Mademoiselle has some fine Jewels, -
he remarked, presently taking between
his finger and thumb a handsome
brooch and rubies.''
''All of this jewelry is not mine,'
answered, ''NlOst OF it belongs to my
MOTHER
Soon after tea was announced after
which meal Nj. Mention and my father
adjourned to the latter's study, to talk
on business, and my mother and re-
turned to the drawing room.
I had finished putting away the jew
elry in the bureau, but had not shut or
locked it, when turned to my mother.
''What is this business that SO often
keeps NJ. Mention and papa closited to-
gether?' l inquired.
''SOme money matters, my DEAR re-
turned my mother.
SIS papa in any difficulty - I IN
CURED anxiously.
mo, no; but, between ourselves,
Louisa, think Monsieur Mention has
some heavy bills due, which I fancy he
cannot pay; but if he expects that
your father Can help him, he is griev-
ously Mistaken
My mother took up q book and COM
the piano and played.
In about half an hour, our visitor
and my father entered tie room, the
latter again taking up his station on q
chair by my side, as close as he pos
sibly could. Song after song he made
ME sing; and, much as l would have
liked to, l could not, with common
civility, refuse.
It was ten o'clock when l rose from
the piano and prepared to retire to my
room. shut my bureau and locked
it, kissed my father and mother, and
babe Monsieur good night.
1t was about half. past one, when I
was awakened from light sleep by
hearing a stealthy footstep in the COR
ridor outside my room. 1t approached
my door, the person, whoever it might
be, walkiug softly and cautiously, as if
fearful of disturbing me. Who could
out of bed and see; but was of a tim
ID nature, and imagined burglars and
all sorts Of horrible things, so | re.
manned still, listening with suspended
breath.
Presently the handle of my door was
turned. Oh, heavens! felt paralyzed.
a man entered my room with small
dark lantern in his hand, and, after
pausing for a moment, slowly ap.
preached the bed. had just sufficient
presence of mind to shut my eyes and
feign sleep as he bent over me. l felt
that he had turned the light full on
my face; his breath famed my cheek.
My heart beat to suffocation. and l
felt that if the ordeal lasted much
longer, I could not control myself, and
should scream or faint.
Happily, however, the next moment
the light was withdrawn, and my noe.
turnal visitor left the room.
I heard the footsteps pass along the
corridor, and descend the stairs lead
ing to the drawing-room. Then it
flashed upon me, thought had locked my
bureau containing my jewelry, I had
not taken away the key.
have remarked that by nature I
was timid; but, at this juncture, I
felt as brave as lion, and, springing
from my bed, threw on my dressing
gown, and went out to the head of the
stairs.
paused. A dreadful fear came
over me. All was dark, and heard
not sound. began to descend.
When got opposite the door of the
drawing.room, which was partially
closed, / saw a dim light proceeding
thence. Oh my agony, of fear lest
the stairs should creak and betray
me
On reaching the door of tho room,
saw to my delight that the key was in
the lock outside. But if I should not
be successful in making this william
prisoner.
Ishuddered at the thought. How
this man had got into the house
could not tell. lie must be friend
nj IF tho to