St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-22

I
became audible, but still Mr.. Mott sat with the
vacant eyes liked on his daughters face, aud
constrained smile on has lips. He was con
scious that he had never seen her look SO
pretty before, yet he could not tell why this
was 10 longer an unalloyed satisfaction.
Not put that be had always accepted the ADJ
E1iraiien Of others for her IS matter Of
course. but for the first time he became con-
scious that she not only had al interest in
otneis, but apparently superior knowledge
of them How did she know these thing
! about this man, and WY had she only now
accidentally spoken of tnem? He would have
done so. All this pass, q SO vaguelg through
his uuredtctiv mind that he was unable to
retain any decided impress on but the far
reaching one that his lodger had obtained
some occult influence over her through the
exhibition Of his baleful skill in the horse
hair speculation. Them tricks is likely 10
take young girls fancy. ! must look arter
hers he said to himself Iftly.
a slow, regular step in the gangway in
terrupted his paIernal reflections. Hastily
buttuning across his chest the pea jacket
wnicn ne usually wore at home as single
concession to ms nautical surroundings, lie
drew himself up with something of the as
sumption of ship-master de spite certain
Tue footsteps approached nearer. ani tall
figure suddenly stood in tue doorway:
II wass figure So extraordinary taat even
in the strange masquerade OF tnat early civ
ilization it was remarkable; u figure with
wnOm father AMI daughter were alread V
! familiar without abatement of wonder the
figure of 4 rejuyenated old man, padded
! powdered dyed, and painted 10 the verge of
caricature, but without single suggestion
of ludicrcuSntsS or humOr; face So artificial
that il seemed almost mask. but. like a
musk, more pathetic than amusing. He was
dressed in tile extreme ri fashion of dozen
years before: his pczr! gray trousers strapped
tiguty over his garnishcd boots, his yoiutn-
.inous satin crLyat and high collar embraced
his ruuged cheeks ami dyed whiskers, his
closely Luttoned frock coat cl!ngiug to
waist that seemed accented by stays.
( lie advanced two steps into the cabin With
an upright precision OF motion that might
hIye aid the lnfirmit!rS Of aye, and said, de
liberatey, WITH Iorrign accent:
'Your-r-r-ac-cUumpt,'
In the actual presence Of the appariiion
Mr.. Motifs dignifed resistance waycrrd. But
gIancing Unrasiiy at his dan 5uter, and sre-
ing her calm EYES fixed Oh the speaker with
/ out rEi EibarrassneRt he folded his arms st1ily :
P anu Win a Iul!S SinuIdl4OH pl tAdHtulnS =
the ceiling. he said:
"AAeiu! Rosey. The gentleman's ac-
count"
1t was an infelicitOus action, for the
stranger, vino evidently had not noticed the
presence 0. the young girl before. started.
took step qu cEly forward, b.nt stifily. but
profoundly over the little baud tnat nrid the
account, raised it to his lips, and, with IA
thousand pardons. mademoisele," laid a
small canvas bag containing the rent betor.:
tine disOrgauized Mr.. Nott, and stifiiy van
ished.
That night vas . troubled one 10 the
simple minded proprietor of the good snip
! Pontiac. Uuab.e 10 voice his uneasint IS by
further discussion, bnt feeling that ais late
discompOsng interview with his ifiger de-
manded some marked protest, hef fosented
himself on the plea of business during the
rest Of the evening, happily 10 his daughters
utteI obliv.onSuess of tne reason. Lights
were burning brilliantly in counting rooms
aud offices, the feverish life Of the mercan-
| tile city was at its height. With vague idea
of entering into immediate negotiations
With Mr.. Sleight for the sale Of the ship--As
a direct way out Of his present perpleNity-
he bent bis steps tOwad d the fin ncIcr's Office,
but paused and turned back before reach
ing the door. Ae made his way to the
wharf and gazed ahstractedly at the lights
reflected in tue dark, tremulous, jrIly-like
| water. But wherever he went he was ac-
companied hy the absurd figure Of his lodger
"a figure he had hitnerto l4ugaed at or half
piticd, but which now, 10 his bewlldered
| comprehen sion. seemed to have a fateful
significance. Here new idea seized him,
aud he hurried back 10 the ship, slackeniug
his pace only when he arri7ed at his own
doorway Here he paused a moment and
slowly ascended the staircase. When be
reached the passage he cOughed slightly and
paused again. Then he pushed open the
door Of the darkened cabin and called
softly:
"Rosey,"
What ia It. father;' said Rosey's voice
from the little staterOom on the right
/ Rosey's own bower.
''Nothiug' - said Mr. Mott. with an affec-
tatiou Of languid calmncss; only wanted to
know if you was comfortable. It's an awful
busy night in town
! "iss, ftth:r.n
'I reckon thar's tons O. gold goin' to the
states to morrow"
ayes, father
pretty comfortable, ehin
YES. father"
''Wrll, III browse round spell and turn
in myself soon"
''Yrs. father"
| Mr. Mott took down q hanging lantern, III
! it, aud passed out into the gsmgway. An
other lamp hung from the companion hatch
10 light the tenants To- the lower deck whence
/ he descended. This deck was divided fore
and aft by partuoned passage--the lofts
or apartments being lighted frm the ports.
So. 49, /.
I ships side communicating with an alley on
/ either side. Tnis w9s the ease with the loft
occupied bs Mr.. Nott's strange lodger which
I brsides door in the passage had this indie
pendent Communication with the alley. Mott
/ had never known him to make use uf the
4 latter door; on the contrary, IL was his regu-
! lar habit 10 issue from his apartment st 3
O'Clock every afternoon. dressed Is he has
/ been described, stride deliberately through
the passage 10 the upper deck snd thence into
! the street, where his strange figure was
/ feature of the principal promenade for
( two or three hours, returning as
I regularly at O'Clock 10 the ship
and the seclusion Of bis loft. Mr..
/ Noit paused before the door. under the pre-
tense Of throwing the light before him into
/ the shadows Of tue forecastle: ali VAS silent
within. He vas turning back when he WAS
impressed bv the regular recurrence Of
[ pvcu lar rustling sound which he had at first
{ referred to the rubbing Of the wires of ;he
( swinging lantern against his clothing. He
81; down the light aud listened. Tnv sound
twas evidently on the other side of the par
/ Hons the sound Of some proiong ged. rustling.
scrapiu- movement with regular in
I trrvals. Was IL due 10 auOihrl % Mr.
I Nyit's unpr5htabie tcnants-ihe rats NG-
( bright idea flashed upon Mr. Nutt's
Z troubled mind Il vas he Frrrieres snoring.
/ tie smiled grimly. ''WoHder II RDsev'd CO.,
( hi5a gentleman IL she heard THAR ~
( chucSled 10 himself ss he slowly made his
! ~ III. u ~. --hi- -rl liz. srlau s-a:.-