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

flther and mother md 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 ct my
bureau, examining some Of my jewelry,
which I kept there, when the door
opened, and NJ. Mention "a. friend Of my
fathers staying with us at the tme)
entered. Ho was French Canadian /;
rather a fne-looldng man, but man 1
never liked; there was a look in his
black, beady eyes which, to me, was at
once repulsive and distrustfuI. : He
looked curiously ut me, and approached.
'.Mademoisele is busy ?"ihel asked.
Eyes" I replied, shortly.
Ny fathcr and mother had dropped
asieeps 30, much to my disgust, NJ. Men
ton took up his station on q chair by my
side say disgust, because l loathed
the MN; his politcness always seemed
to me unreal. IE.Ee
I. Mademoiselle has some fine JEWELS
he unmarked, presently, taking between
his finger. and thumb handsome broach
ofrubies. ar ~idgH OF va. O.
AN Of this !jjewelry is not mine" I
answered. g Most of it belongs to my
mother" q ~ 80
Soon after, ten was announced after
which meal NJ. Mention md my father
adjourned to the latter's study, to talk
On business, and my mother and re-
turned to the drawing-room.
1had finished putting away the jewelry
in the bureau, but had not shut or locked
il, 'NhenI, turned .tomy mother.
'eWhht Is this business TINT SO often
keeps NJ. Mention and papa closeted TO-
gethef?" l inquired.
"Some money mattefs, my. DEAR re.
turned my mother!
eIspapa in any difficulty Y I inquired,
anyiously. n
ssNo, no; but, between ourselves,
Louisa, I think Monsieur Mention has
some heavy bills due, which ! fancy he
cannot pay; but il he expects that your
father csm help him, he is igrieSously
mistaken. y =. - - e Ia. ~ =
My mother took up book md COM
meiiced tosread, whilst l went over to the
Piano md played. ~ Z
In about half IN hour our visitor and
my father entered the room, the. Inter
again taking up his station on chair by
my side, rs close rs he possibly could.
Song inter song he made me sing; and,
much as1 would have Liked to, could
not with common civility, refusey'
ltwns ten o'clock when rose from the
Piano and prepared to retire to MY own
room. l shut my bureau and locked it,
kissed my father and mother, and babe
MONSIEUR good night. -,
y - ~
twas about half.past one, when was
awakened from light sleep by hearing n
stealthy foo.step in the corridor outside
my room. It approached my door; the
person, whoever it might be, walking
sostly and cautiously, as il fearful Of
disturbing me. Who could it be? Ny
tirstimpulse was to jump ont OF bed and
sees but I was Of timid nature, and
imagined burglars and all sorts Of horri-
bio things, so I remained still, listening
with suspended breath.
Presently the handle OF my door was
turned. Oh, lieavensl Ifelt pnrnlyzed.
a MN entered my room with small
darlkl lantern in his hand, md, after pans
ingfor q moment, slowly approached the
bed. 1 Ind just sufficient presence OF
niindto shut my eyes md feign sleep rs
he bent oTer nc. felt TINT, he had
turned the light full on my face; his
breath famed my cheek. .-fl;- J..
Nv heart beat to suffocation, and l felt
thatif the ordeal listed much longer, I
could not control myself, and, should
scream or faint. - '5sfi''.
Happily, however, the next moment
tie'lght was Withdrawn, and my noctur7
nAlyisitor left the room.
Ihetlrl the footsteps pass along the
corridor, and descend the stairs leading
to the lrawing-room. Then it flashed
upon me, though I Ind locked my bureau
containing my iewelry, ! had not taken
away.t the key.
I:have remarked TINT 81 nature I was
timid; but, at this jrracture, Il 'feltl as
brave rs lion, and, springing from my
bed, throw on my dressing gown and
whht to the head 81 the stairs. DEiI
Ipaused. A dreadful fear came over
mes All was dark, and ! heard not n
ednnu. i began to descend --i'i'
When I got. opposite the door Of the
dtnwing-room, which was partially
closed, I saw dim light proceeding
thence. Obi my agony Of fcar lest tho
stairs should crenk and betray mel
On reaching tho door OF the room, I
aaasto my delight tint the key was in tho
lork outside. But il should not be
suceessiul in making this william pris-
oner. - - - I+E
Ishuddered at tho thought. How this
man had got into the. house I could NOT
ten. He must. be friend of one OF tie
servants, I coniectnrcl.
Ny hand, was upon the key OF the door,
when the handle, with sharp click, be:
trnyed me. - Z '.''S. .-,St
1hearll quick step across tho apart
inent A moment decidettmc.y tara
must feign somnambuliS,n.
III another instant tho door was opened,
and 4, with my eyes fixed wide open,
enterel the room. -.
Tie thief started back with q sno.lered
cKcamation OF surprise. -.sL
dared not look at him, but walked
ntmight past him to the bureau, md
1poke the following words disjointelly:
y left my key here. Where can II
The,,man walked over 10 the other end
al tha mann xphAfA an a,aYaa,k 80.