Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-12-05

in New York, ana desired to stay I'M
der her roof all night.
She shook her head. saying
~ don't think you can. The lady is
away from home. Besides We are in
trouble here. don't think Miss Ga.
brielle would"
But here Miss Gabrielle herself ap-
peared.
81 am an old man, MISS" I said.
"and as you see. quite inirm. / dread
another step. I should take it as o
kindness if you would accommodate
me. and will pay any price you ask. y
Miss Gabrielle looked at Hannah.
I've have only one room, she said,
land that"
1 ended the question of my stay by
begging to be taken to 1T.
"You will have supper, sir p asked
the girl.
But declared that I had eaten, and
only wanted rest.
Her reply was,-
Hannah, show the gentleman to the
blue room, and make a fire.
was in the blue room, the scene Of
the three sudden deaths or murders.
1t was small apartment, painted blue.
It had also blue window curtains, and q
blue silk coverlet on the bed ; q neat
striped carpet, a set of old mahogany
furniture, aud very handsome set of
costly china. It was at the time almost
universal custom to burn wood. In
this room, however, Was small coal
fire. 1 alluded to this as Hannah came
in with the scuttie.
Yes, sir" she said, "missus does
burn Goals. Her son is a clerk, or the
like, at the new mines at Mauch Chunk,
and he sends it cheap to her but it's a
nasty. dirty smelling thing, and hate
it. Now it's built and lit twill warm
up in fifteen minutes. 1t takes longer
than wood"
She went out of the door and came
back in minute with little tray on
which stood pot and cup and saucer,
also bowl and tiny pitcher, and some
thing in a napkin.
Miss sent bit and sip," said she.
Tea rests us old folks nightly. Good
night"
Goodnight" said. 81 expect
shall sleep soon must be up very
early, though, for have bills to pay.
/ have some hundreds of dollars with
me to pay out tomorrow, and it's in
this bag"
She looked at me in queer sort of a
way, and fingered beside me. At last
she spoke.
Look ye, sir I think that old folks
of your age do wrong to lock doors on
themselves. You might be Ill at night,
and who'd get in to you? Leave your
door unlocked"
Was it this woman's practice to beg
travellers who stopped with her mis-
tress not to lock the door? Was there
some baneful potion in the cup she had
given me?"
1t was an innocent-looking cup
enough-an old-fashioned affair, COW
cred with little sprigs. The tea was
fragrant Hyson but the suspicion that
had crept into my mind had tainted it.
| fancied queer color, curious smell.
l put it from me, and would not have
tasted it for kingdom.
I had not intended to sleep, and
did not undress myself. merely re-
moved my disguise, and sat down be,
side the table, with my pistols beside
me. That some attempt might be
shortly made to murder me felt to be
possible. I thought of all the old tales
that I had heard of trap. doors and slid
ing panels, and secret entrances to trav-
elers' rooms. l was not coward, but
1 felt strangely nervous and singularly
enough for man in my perfect health
my hands were growing cold, and my
feet were Jumps of ice, while my head
was burning hot.
Fifteen minutes had passed, and the
fire was kindled but the room was not
warm. The blue flames struggled
among the black Goals, and flung forked
tongues tipped with yellow tints, into
the room. There was nothing cheerful
about the stove, though it was of that
open style now called Franklin. Yet
drew chair toward it from habit, and
sat with my feet upon the hearth. do
not know how long 1 sat there. Sud
denly l became aware that was not
myself was losing my senses. If
unseen hands had been clasped about
my neck, and All unseen knee had been
pressed against my chest, my sensations
could not have been different.
A thought of the evil spirit, which
my friend lad suggested. family strug-
gled into my mind. As staggered to
my feet noise like the roaring of the
sea was in my ear. The flames of the
candle turned to great yellow blue.
I barely retained strength enough to
stagger to the window and fling it open.
The fresh, cold winter air rushed in at
it. 1t gave me intense pain, but it re-
lleved me. In q moment more 1 was
able to Chamber out of it upon the shed
below.
There remained until the day dawn.
With my returning senses tile truth
came to me. That which had murdered
the three men who slept before in the
blue chamber was nothin. NOR or less
than toe coal stove.
1t was provided with what is called
a damper, and this in being caught in
q manner which closed it sent the
poisouou, gas into the room. It had
been kindled as a wood fire would have
been at the hour of retiring, by one
ignorant of the danger possible from
coal gas, and they had slept never to
awaken. Had l thrown myself upon
II.