Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-06-18
A LODGNG.HOUsE MYSTERY.

4 precise location Of my lodgings, but
win merely inform the reader that am
one of a numerous family of fellow
dodgers, occupying rooms in an extern
sive establishment situated in the south
ern part of the city of San Francisco.
An adventure which befell me recently
in this abode am about to relate to
you. Altogether it has proved an adj
venture involved in inexplicable mys-
terry. In vain have endeavored TO
penetrate the mysterious shadow which
shrouded from my view the solution of
this wonderful secret. have been
baftied in every attempt made in that
direction. My efforts to obtain a salts
factory explanation of the enigma have
proved futile, and can only relate the
various incidents of my adventure, with
out offering any explanation of the
strange web of mysticism and secrecy
which surrounds it.
l was sitting alone in my apartment
one evening, enjoying a cigar, and en-
gagged in musing over various matters,
which it is unnecessary for me to intiict
upon the reader here. The gas was
burning dimly, and, soothed by the mar
cotic influence of my cigar and the
silence of the room, a drowsy feeling
i
lost in a half sleeping, half-waking
dream.
What followed can not vouch for as
a positive reality, though at the time
appeared perfectly conscious and in full
possession of every faculty necessary to
comprehend the situation. l can only
relate the incident as it seemed to me to
actually transpire, without attempting
to account for the occurrence, or as
serting any further belief in its reality
than the impression conveyed by my
own senses.
A low knock at the door sounded dis
tinctly in my ears-a timid, hesitating
knock, as proceeding from some person
uncertain of the exact locality 5ought,
or fearful of the manner in which such
an intrusion might be received. With
out turning my head, responded to
this appeal for admission by bidding the
applicant to enter. The door opened
slowly, and rustling, sweeping sound,
as of the skirts of a lady's dress, caused
me to look up quickly.
Half startled, as by sudden appari-
ton, l beheld, standing quietly before
me, young lady probably twenty years
of age, possessing surprising degree
of loveliness, which failed not to excite
my admiration even in that first mo-
ment of my surprise.
can not describe her. No words of
mine could convey to you an adequate
impression of the extreme beauty or the
inexpressible charm of her appearance !;
no pen OF mine possesses the skill to
Justly describe her delicate features, her
graceful form, her wonderful composure
of face and bearing.
BeWildered, amazed, l could only
stare at this beautiful being in utter
silence. The marvellous deep blue eyes
which regarded me so calmly, appeared
to have cast over me a spell, and sub
jected me completely to their power by
the witching influence of their express
sion and the wondrous charm of her
presence.
After what had seemed long pause
of mingled doubt and perplexity, sue
ceeded in recovering my senses suf-
ficiently to arise and offer my unknown
visitor chair; but with a wave of her
slender white hand she declined to avail
herself Of the proffered courtesy, and,
more bewildered than ever, l sank
silently back in my own seat, awaiting
at her pleasure the explanation of this
unexpected visit from one who was Ger.
tainly an entire stranger to me.
Her face was so quiet, so calm in its
expression, and her large clear eyes
shone so radiantly as they gazed into
mine, that remained lost in unuttera
BILE wonder. 1t was more like dream
than a waking reality, and yet my senses
seemed as acute, my faculties of though
and speech and action as keen and de
cisive as at this present moment. Wa!
it a spell, vision, or was it actual re
alityp Was this beautiful apparition al
imaginary creation of my own fancy, o.
was she tangible faotp
Presently she spoke, and her voice
so soft and sweet and low, thrilled m,
like strain of far-off, exquisite music
etthere was something sad and mourn
full in the lonesome shadowy, half
defined expression of the speakers ma
ture.
You do not know me-" she said
t'and yet we are not strangers. Year
ago we were together in distant land
You did not know me then, and yet yol
once spoke kindly to me, in an hou
when a kind word was the creates
earthly blessing could have received
when kind friend was the boon that
prayed for and hoped for in vain; nay
not in vain, for your kind words weT
friendly to my ears, and yet-and ye
by you they have long been forgotten
But not for me. They have dwelt /
my hearts memory through all thes
long, sad years, and we have met agai
that may thank you for them. Than
you--and die"
Her face seemed to pale to an almoi
unearthly whiteness as she uttered thes
last words, and yet the calm blue eyC
shone as brightly and steadily as eve
Her white hand waived an adieu, an
she vanished like some mysterioU
specter, how and whittier knew not.
I sprang TO my feet Every thin
was quiet. ] looked around. The ROOF
was vacant of human presence save m
own. opened the door and looked OF
into the long hall. No person was Wis
BILE there except a young man lettin
himself into the room directly adjoil
ing my own. He looked up at the SUI
den opening of my door, and for m,
ment his eyes encountered mine. A &
Jet blazed directly over his head and
Illuminated his features as he paused Il
an instant regarding me- Istarted SUI
denly, with an exclamation of amaz
ment on my lips, for his face was Il
face of the young girl who had lu
passed from my room. The next m