Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-04-04
PAPA'S STRANGE GUEST.

Il Ill II ~ ~ llAlsuu uUuN IL
It was a warm June evening, and my
father and mother and [ were seated In
our drawing room, with the long doors
leading on TO the lawn thrown open, to
admit the air. [ was sitting at ny bu-
reau, examining some of my jewelry,
which I kept there, when the door
opened, and M. Mention "a friend of my
fathers staying with us at the time)
entered. He was a French Canadian
rather fine-looking man, but a man I
never liked; there was look in his
black, beady eyes which, to me, was at
once repulsive and distrustfu1 He
looked curiously at me, and approached.
"Mademoiselle is busy % he asked.
"Yes," replied shortly.
My father and mother had dropped
asleep, SO, much to my disgust, M. Men
ton took up his station on chair by my
side. I say disgust, because loathed
the man; his politeness always seemed
to me unreal.
MademoiselIe has some fine Jewels, -
ne remarked, presently, taking between
his finger and thumb handsome breach
and rubies'' .zs
'sAll OF this iewelry is not mine,"
answered. ~ Most of it belongs to my
mother" vi la >t& it.i ~
Soon after, tea was announced; after
which meal nj. Mention and my father
adjourned to the latter's study, 80 talk
on business, and my mother and I re-
turned to the drawing-room.
had finished putting away the jew
elry in the bureau, but had not shut or
: locked it, when I turned to my mother.
q "What is this business that so often
keeps NJ. Mention and papa closited to-
,gether I inquired.
''Some money matters, my dear" re-
tuIned my mother. - ss +r
Is papa in any dificulty!'' I in
~quired anxiously. ....---.------.-- -
"No, no. but, between ourselves,
Louisa. I think Monsieur Mention has
some heavy bills due, which fancy he
cannot pay; but if he expects that your
father can help him, he is grievously
mistaken,
My mother took up book and com.
enenced to read, whilst I went over te
the piano and played.
In about half an hour, our visitor and
my father entered the room, the latter
again taking up his station on chair
by my side, as close us he possibly
could. Song after song he made me-
sing; and, much as 1 would have liked
to, [ could not, with common civility,
refuse.
It was ten o'clock when rose from
the piano and prepared to retire to my
room. I shut my bureau and locked
fofh
bade Monsieur good night.
*
It was about half-past one, when
was awakened from a light sleep by
hearing stealthy footstep in the CORR
dor outside my room. 1t approached
my door; the person, whoever it NIGH
be, walking softly and cautiously, as i
fearful of distur bing me. Who coulo
1t be Ny first impulse was to jump
out of bed and see; out YVES of timil
nature, and imagined burglars and al
sorts of horrible things, 90 remained
still, listening with suspended breath
Presently the handle of my door was
turned. Oh, heavens felt par
alyzed, A man entered my room with 6
small dark lantern in his hand, and
after pausing for moment, slowly APP
preached the bed. 7 had just sufficient
presence of mind to shut my eyes and
feign sleep as he bent over me. [ felt
that he had turned the light full on my
face; his breath famed my cheek.
My heart beat to snffocation, and
.felt chat il 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 NV noe
'turnal visitor left the room. TO-
/ heard the footsteps pass along the
. corridor, and descend the stairs leading
to the drawing Then it flashed
upon me, though had locked my bureau
contain my jewelry, l had not take1
away the Key. 7Hs117 &
I have remarked that by nature :
was timid; but, at this juncture,
felt as brave as q lion, aud, springin9
from my bed, threw on my dressing
gown, and went out to the head of tn,
stairs ~. IA ss,:a+Ase
:. = 1 paused. a dreadful fear came owe
u pae. All was dark, and heard not !:
sound. / began to descend.
When got opposite the door OF thu
drawing groom, which WAS partially
closed, saw dim light proceeding