Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-04-24


cences of what Smith had told me casu-
ally.
81 tried in vain to turn the subject
and had almost given myself up to dos
perate fibbing when CHANGED to perceive
that piano was behind me. During a
momentary lull in the conversation, in
which Dc Chartre was probably trying to
reconcile my rambling information with
his own knowledge and coniectures, l
turned to the young lady, requesting
some music.
ITO my relief she consented immcdi-
ately, thus saving her father from any
further surprises in the way of chaotic
guessing on my part. She sang and
played quite prcttily, and | found myself
even more prcpossesscd than l Lad been
at first
''After she had played several songs, 1
rose to go, but as [ did so, dinner was an
nounced, and was urgently invited by
them both to remain. Again | saw that
to refuse would be to offend, so, in order
to preserve Smiths reputation from fur
Their damage, accepted, resolving that l
would exert my talents to the utmost in
being entertaining. You see, wanted
them to speak good word for Smith if
ever they should chance to communicate
with this Tremoine, whom l heartily
wished at the bottom of the sea-
'After dinner we ad journed to the
parior-that is, the young lady and my
self-the old gentleman going off for a
smoke, in which declined to join him.
"The rain, which had been mild at
first, now turned into raging torrent.
1t beat savagely against the windows,
and the wind swept mournfully through
the court. Now and then it crept under
the doors and into the room, bringing a
faint scent of the orange-blcoms that
were being swept from their stems on the
bending trees without. But the inclem-
ency of the weather outside only made
the comfort and brightness of the apart
ment seem more perfect.
"With such charming hostess the
moments sped swiftly. l became more
and more inthrallcd with her dark eyes
and her gracious manner, so typical of
the grace which has made the Creole
women celebrated. l don't know to what
length might have committed myself,
had not the door opened and Monsieur
de Chartre once more appeared upon the
scene. AS it was, think he surprised
me saying some fooGshly tender things
to his daughter
81 looked at my watch. A flush of
shame crept over me. 1t was past ten
o'clock. | felt that l had infringed on
the no spitality extended to me. l began
to apologize, but Monsieur de Chartre
stopped me.
".My dear SIR he said, cordially,
you cannot 60 out in such storm. l
will not permit it. My home is large
We have ample accommodate ons Remain
with us tonight
II thanked him sincerely. l could not
feel grateful enough for such warm and
cordial hospitality. 1t is true indeed
that these Southcrncrs have the kindcst
and most hospitab'e he rts in the world.
An cd and valued friend of the family
could scarcely have been treated more
kindly than |, complete stranger, save
for the slight stamp of genuincness which
'Trenoine & Lecman' gave me in this
most Gle ant and beautiful home, every
part of which betokened the wealth and
pOSltlOn OF tne owner.
"a few moments later Jacques came to
show me to my room. With lingering
glance, l bale the young lady goo l-night.
1t seemed to me that her beautiful ewes
were filled with a shadow of regret for
our brief acquaintance Her father fol
lowed me to the court without giving me
several messages for Mr.. Tremoine and
other friends il Detroit, all of which |
promised to carry faithfully Then, with
u courtly good night, he intrustcd me to
the care of the waiting attendant.
"Mv apartment was handsomely fur
nishcd, in keeping with the rest of the
house. 1t WAS apparently a back room
with one in the front of the
house by heavy folding doors, across
which rcd crimson portiere fell
"Jacques brought me a pitcher of fresh
water and some clean towels, and then,
something in his unintelligi-
BILE Creole French, bowed himself out.
II examined the room carefully, locked
all the doors except the folding one,
which I found fastened on the other side,
and went to sleep thinking what CAPT
tai Joke that was on Smith, who was un-
loubtedly reposing beautifully in No.
105, at the St. Charles, unconscious of
the strange esCapade l had gotten him
into. l resolved to write to the young
lady as soon as I left the city, informing
her CT my little deception, and introduce
ing the original Smith, whom was quite
sure wou'd fall head over cars in love
with her at sight Poor Smith! I was
lust mapping cut his future m ost bcau.i-
fully, when Morpheus seized me and car
led me off into dreamand.
about midnight l was awakened by
4 slight nose in the room. A terrible
pGcsentment took possession of me.
Jared not move fur second My knees
the cold drops of moisture
stood en- my brow. l lay shivering as
though chilled by some actual, icy touch
for moment, then my healthy, vigorous
physique reassertel itself | was no
coward even to myself. l rose steathily
md crept to the light, turning the full
blaze on suddenly.
GA change in the room startled me.
The heavy portiere was thrown aside, the
folding doors stood wide open. Re-
solved to penetrate this mystery, stepped
into the ether room.
ga cry of horror escaped me as I did
80. l stood in the middle of the floor,
petrifed, the very blood freezing in my
veins. There on the bed lay man with
his throat gashcd from ear to ear, the red
blood ooaing slowly upon the white
and the nth carpet beneath.
His wide eyes were upturncd to the cell