The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1882-07-06
IN MY ENEMY's HOUSE.

|
former days, he entreated me to accom-
pany him TO the house of his friend,
Baron Staloil, ut place about ten miles
distant adding, by the way of persua-
sion, "Stalofl is u fine, opcn-heartod
generous, hoSpitable lcllow-just such n
man rs you would like to meet, He
told me to bring with me as many
friends as possible. Come; we will be
there about week. can promise you
| very agreeable visit"
Although stranger to the baron, as
then thought, yielded to my friend $
| request and wetook the afternoon train,
arriving at Staloil late in the day The
baroness received Us graciousy, regret
| ting that the baron was unavoidably alb
sent until dinner.
Punctually at seven O'Clock my friend
and entered the magnificent dining
| room. There was just time for haSty
introduction to the host before we took
our seats; we were about twenty at Ia
| Bile
what is the matter with you?" wills
| pered Petrovitch You look so fright
ened; have YOU seen a ghost?"
Enlightened! may well look so, in
deed! am frightened, Your fine,
| generous, open-hcarted baron is my
| deadly enemy, than whom would rath-
cr cncountcra thousand ghosts. will
| tell you all about il after dinner"
After an uncomfortable diIlner, sue
ccedcd in finding an opportunity to
speak to Pctroyitch in private.
That man and were once friends"
said |, "but the old story we both adj
mired the same girl That made the
first breach between us, He proposed
to settle the matter by sword. east
ly disarmcd him She Tilted both of us
for it, and married Pavlovski, of the
dragons. Two years later the same
thing happened. We fought again |
wounded him scvoroly, and he sworc
fearful vengeance upon me- But she
married him, and is his present wife.
= Eqt how b & he became Baron
Staloif'' When | knew him he was
merely Gregorie AltoH"
Ellis uncle left him this property last
year with his name. lie wisely took
both"
IF had only known it! The man
hates me, and sees me present myself
at his dinner-tablc. How soon can get
awayW
mot tonight, lam sure, If you fear
any treachery, come spend the night in
my room. But, really, the common rules
of hospitality"
80, | don't believe in hospitality, when
| il comes TO man of his nature. He has
heard Macbeth, and may initiate him
not for ambition, but to satisfy his
cherished revenge
| "Wcll, will speak to the servant,
and have your bags removed tony room
before bedtime"
| Thanks, old fellow
The evening passed by means of mu-
sic and cards The baroness was charm
ing, the baron did not appear. Late in
the evening my friend left on receiving
Il MESSAGE from the baron to join him.
Half an hour later laCkcv made assign
TO me from the door. turned to him.
IL am come, sir. to hand you this
key"
81 am to spend the night in my
friends roomP'
Eyes, sir, but II larger room has been
prepared for you two gentlemen when
ever you are ready. Sir, | am at your
service to show You the way to it,"
81 am ready now; 90 on, will fol.
| low" followed him, rs lamp in hand
he went up long, winding staircase
and along Il narrow corridor until we
| reached what seemed TO be II sort of
toWer, Here, in a broad space, where
were several doors, he stopped. 'lsup
pose this part of the house is not occu-
picdg"
80, yes, sir, it is all occupied. Your
Dom is one of the best. This is it.
lie opened the doorof the large apart
mont, On one side near large, old
fashioned bed saw my trayelling-bag,
"Your friend is here, probably" and he
left me-
With the key in one hand and the
lamp in the other | advanced to the
fireplace. There was no fire; but one
single candle stood on the mantcl. This
] lighted but the darkness and gloom
seemed impenetrablc. "Pctroyitch is
not here" thought |. as | threw myself
into an immense armchair to wait for
him. "What can delay himP'
sat there until midnight Still he
did not come. Rousing myself then, |
thought heard the rattling of u chain.
"Tho fellow is somewhere here, What
else could make uoi,c?' Then ! dis
tinctly heard regular breathing. "llc
must have fallen asleep somewhere. !
will look for HIM" So lamp in hand |
proceeded to explore the room. lrcach-
ed further away than had thought
heard the chain again.
What was my horror to behold
stretched at full length, fast asleep, be-
side his open cage, splendid tiger. The
chain attached to his collar hung loose
| ~ TO the ground; he was free!
rushed to the door--it was locked on
the outside; to the windows they were
enormously high from the ground
There was no escape for me. There was
the lrcaChcry feared, This must he
the trap Of the generous, hospitabc
baronl TO call or make u noise nigh,
be useless, and would certainly arosc
the animal. had no pistol with me-
l.... 4 - 81