The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-06-26
A LODGING-HOUsE MYSTERY.

n
IT is not necessary for me to state the
precise location of my lodgings, but l
will merely inform the reader that l am
one of 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 l have endeavored to
penetrate the mysterious shadow which
shrouded from my view the solution of
this wonderful secret. l have been
batlied in every attempt made in that
direction. My efforts to obtain a salts
factory explanation of the enigma have
proved futile, and l 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.
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 inflict
upon the reader here. The gas was
burning dimly, and, soothed by the mar
cote influence of my cigar and the
silence of the room, a drowsy feeling
crept gradually over me, and l became
lost in q half sleeping, half-waking
dream.
What followed / can not vouch for as
positive reality, though at the time l
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 sought,
or fearful of the manner in which such
an intrusion might be received. With
out turning my head, L 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 lady's dress, caused
me to look up quickly.
Hail startled, as by sudden appari-
ton, 1 beheld, standing quietly before
me, a 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.
I 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 spell, and sub
jected me completely to their power by
the witching influence of their expires.
sion and the wondrous charm of hel
presence.
After what had seemed long pause
of mingled doubt and perplexity, sue
ceeded in recovering my senses sui
ficiently to arise and offer my unknown
visitor chair; but with wave of hel
slender white hand she declined to avail
herself of the proffered courtesy, and
more bewildered than ever, I 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 it;
\ expression, and her large clear eye;
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 spell, q vision, or was it actual re
alityP Was this beautiful apparition al
imaginary creation of my own fancy, OF
was she tangible fact?
Presently she spoke, and her voice
so soft and sweet and low, thrilled mt
like strain of far-off, exquisite music
Yet there 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
Sand yet we are not strangers. Year
ago we were together in a distant land
You did not know me then, and yet yol
once spoke kindly to me, in an hou
when kind word was the creates
earthly blessing l could have received
when a kind friend was the boon that
prayed for and hoped for in vain; nay
not in vain, for your kind words wer
friendly to my ears, and yet-and ye
by you they have long been forgotten
But not for me. They have dwelt il
my hearts memory through all thes
long, sad years, and we have met agail
that may thank you for them. Than
you-and die"
Her face seemed to pale to an almos
unearthly wilderness as she uttered thes
last words, and yet the calm blue eye
skone as brightly and steadily as ever
Her white hand waived an adieu, an
she vanished like some mysteriou
specter, how and whittier knew not.