Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-27

oh so dearly. Enough she was Protestant her
sell. ana .nly French on her moeher's side:
ag. Inst parental prejudice) She told me all
one gossip OF Richmond, and whom / should
meet at the rectors, and what dull little down
treaI-oh, if she could only live in Montreal, it
would be perfect bliss. And so thought my
SELF If only Lucret1a would live there with me;
but prudently refrained from saying so, as /
thought it rather premature. Or perhaps /
blushed and stammered too much to get the
words out Had she ever been In Europe?" No,
never, but She would so like it. "Ah, 1t would
be delightful to spend month or two In Paris u
suggested, with internal pictures OF honey
moon floating through my brain. Eyes, that
would be most enjoyable, " she answered. Alto
gether. Lucretta and 1 kept chatting uninter-
ruptedly the whole way to Richmond and the
other passengers must have voted US most I'M
considerable bores; for they evidently could not
sleep BY reason of our incessant talking. We
DID not sleep nor wish to sleep. And am bound
TO say that more frankly enchanting or SEEM
ingly guileless girl than Lucretia / have never
met from that day to this.
Canadians call the stations), very cold and tired
externally, but lively enough as regards the in
ternal fires. We got out, and looked after our
next morning e the hotel There eo we're Ue no
sleighs in walting-Richmond Is too much of a
country station for that-so took my reticule
in my nand, threw Lucretias rug across her
shoulders, and proceeded to walk with her to
the hotel.
Now, the depot" is in suburb known as
Melbourne, while Richmond itself lies on the
other side OF the river st. Francis, here crossed
by long covered bridge, a sort OF rough wooden
counterpart of the famous one at Lucerne. AS
We passed out into the cold night it was snow
Ing heavily, and the frost was very bitter. Luz
cretia took my arm without a word of prelude
as naturally as If she were my sister, and guided
me through the snow-coyered path to the
bridge. When we got under the shelter OF the
wooden covering we had to pass through the
long dark gallery, as black as night heading
only for the dim square Of moonlight at the
other end. But Lucretia walked and chatted on
as unconcernedly as If she had always been in
the habit Of traversing that lonely tunnel-like
bridge with total stranger every evening of
her life; confess was surprised. fancied a
prtm English girl in similar situation, and l
was really as genuine as it looked.
At the opposite end of the bridge we emerged
upon street of wooden frame houses. In one
of them only there was a light. "That's the
hotel" said Lucretia, nOdding toward it, and
again l suffered thrill OF disappointment.
had pictured to myself a great solid building like
the st. Lawrence Hall at Montreal, forgetting
that Richmond was mere country village; and
here found bit of frame cottage as the whole
domain OF Lucret1as supposed father. 1t was
too awful
We reached the door and entered Fresh sur
pr1ses were in store for me. The passage led
into bar, where half-a-dozen French Cana
dams were sitting with bottles and glasses, play
Ing some game OF cards. One rather rough
looking young man jumped up in establishment
as we entered, and exclaimed, "Why, Lucretia.
we didn't expect you for another hour. Imeant
knocked him down for calling her by her Chris
tian name but the conviction flashed upon me
that this was Lucretia's brother He glanced
up at the big Yankee clock on the mantel-piece
which pointed to qnarter-past twelve, then
pulled out his watch and whistIed. stopped
three-quarterS OF an hour ago, by Jingo,n was
his comment. "Why, l forgot to wind it up
Upon my word, Lucretia, / am awfully sorry
But who is the pentlpman9D
"a friend OF the Pritchards, Tom dear, who
wants bed here tonight. I couldn't imagine
like you not to remember it." And she gave
him look to melt adamant.
Tom was profuSe in his apologies, and made
It quite clear that his intentions at least had
with so much brOtherly tenderness that re-
Tented OF my desire to knock him down. Then
brother and sister retired for while, appa-
fently 10 see after my bedroom, and was left
cannot say liked the look OF it. The men
were drinking whisky and playing ecdfte-two
bad things, thought in my twenty year old
propI1ety. My dear mother hated gambling
which hatred she had 1nstilled into my youth
full mind, and this was evidently backwoods
gambling house. Moreover, 1 carried bag OF
worth while to rob me. The appearances were
clearly against Lucret1a's home; but surely
Lucretia herself was guaranty for anything.
Presently Tom returned, and told me my
with beating heart and heavy reticuIe. At
the top OF the landing Lucretia stood smiling.
my candle in her hand, and showed me into the
room. Tom and she looked around to see that
hands with me- which certainly seemed curl
Gus thing for an inn-keeper and his sister. As
soon as they were gone, began to look about
me and consider the situation. The room had
TWO doors, bvt the key was gone from both. I
orened one toward the passage, but found no
key outside; the other, which probably COM
municated with neighboring bedroom, was
locked from the opposite side. Moreover, there
7 ad once been common bolt ON this second
door, but 1t had been removed. Hooked close
at the screw holes, and was sure they were
quite fresh. Could the bolt have been taken
it flashed across my mind that had been i'm
prudently conGding in my disclosures to Lucre-
tia. l had told her that | carried .e15o In coin,
de SAY sge to F naa aP heaa df na thing n9goS
was aware OF my presence in Richmond, ex-
cept herself and her brother. had not writ
ten to tell the Pritchards was coming, and she
knew that had not told any one OF my where
abouts. because did not decide, where should
go until talked with her about the matter. No
one In Canada would miss me. If these people
chose to murder me for my money (and inn
keepers often murder their guests, thought,
nobody would think OF inquir1ng or know where
to inquire for me. Weeks would elapse before
whereabouts and by that time all traces might
well be lost. l left Quebec only telling the
people at my hotel thatI was going to Montreal
Then thought of Lucretia's eagerneSs to get
into conversation, her observation about my
money, her suggestion that should come to the
Richmond Hotel. And how could She q small
tnn-keeper'S daughter, afford to get all those
fine furs and lockets by fair means? Did she
really know the PritChardS, or was it likely,
considering her position? All these things came
across me In moment. What fool had been
ever to think OF trusting such girl
I got up and walked about the room. 1t was
evidently Lucretia'S own bedroom; ..part OF the
decoy," said l to myself sapiently. But could
so beautiful girl really hurt one? piece OF
music was lying on the dressing table. took 1t
up and looked at 1t casually. Gracious heavens!
it was song from 'Lucretia Borgia." Her very
name betrayed heri She too was a Lucretia
walked over to the mantelpiece. A little ivory
glance as passed. Incredible! 1t was Beat
rice Cenci! Talk Of beautiful women! Why,
they poison one, they stab one, they burn one
alive, with smile on their lips. Lucretia must
have taste for murderesseS. Evidently she is
a connoiSSeur,
At least, thought |, l shall sell my life dearly
could not go to bed; but pulled the bsdstead
over against one Of the doorS-the locked one
and laid the mattress down in front of the
other. Then ] laid down on the mattress, my
money bag under my head. and put the poker
conveniently by my side. II they came 10 rob and
murder me, they should at least have broken
head to account for next day. But soon got
tired OF this defensive attitude, and reflected
that Ii must lie awake all night, might as
well have something to read So went over to
the little bookcase and took down the first
book that came TO hand. 1t bore on the outside
fhn 10 gao.