Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-07-15

permit It. My mouse is large We have
ample accommodations Remain with us
tonight
Il hesitated a moment; the rain beating
on the window-pane seemed dismal enough.
Besides, l was in part of the city with
which was unfamiliar. I might lose my
way and wander about those narrow streets
for hours; and then blood -curdling tales
came back to me of strangers who had been
robbed and half murdered in those dark
thoroughfares.
II thanked him sincerely. I could not
feel grateful enough for such warm and
cordial hospitality. 1t is true indeed that
these southerners have the kindest and most
hOspltable hearts in the world
"a few moments later Jacques came to
show me to my room. With lingering
glance, l bade the young lady good night.
1t seemed to me that her beautiful eyes
were filed with regret for our short ac-
quaintance. Her father followed me to the
court without, giving me several messages
for Mr.. Tremoine and other friends in De-
troit, all of which promised to carry faith
fully. Then, with courtly goodnight, he
intrusted me to the care of the waiting AT
rican attendant
"My apartment was handsomely fur
1t was apparently a back room connecting
with one in the front of the ouse by heavy
folding-doors, across which a rich crimson
portiere fell
Jacques brought me a pitcher OF fresh
water and some clean towels, and then,
mumbling something in his uninteligible
creole French, bowed himself out.
II examined the room carefully, locked all
the doors except the folding one, which
found fastened on the other side, and went
to sleep thinking what a capital joke this
was on Smith. VINO was undoubtedly repos-
ing beautifully in No. los, 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 | left the city, in
forming her of my little deception, and in
PRODUCING the original Smith, whom l was
quite sure would fall head over ears in love
with her at sight Poor Smith, l was just
mapping out his future most beautifully,
when Morpheus seized me and carried me
off into dreamland
"About midnight I was awakened by q
slight noise in the room. l listened, but all
was as still as death. Apparently the whole
household had fallen into slumber. l at
tributed the sound to my own imagination,
and was about to compose myself to slumDer,
when a cold chill crept over me- was sensi-
BILE of near presence the room was intensely
dark, and l could see nothing Neither
could my faculties, which were now thor
oughly acute, perceive the slightest move
ment or sound. Yet my blood ran cold
with the premonition of evil. l could feel
cold sweat breaking out all over me--the
chill crept to the very roots of my hair.
A terrible presentiment took possession of
me. dared not move for a second. My
knees trembled, the cold drops of moisture
stood on my brow. What could it be-this
awful presence that seemed to lay cold fin
gers upon ms in the darkness and wake me
from my sleep! lay there shivering as
though chilled by some actual, icy touch
for a moment, then my healthy, vigorous
physique re-asserted itself was no cow
ard even to myself l rose stealthily and
crept to the light, turning the full blaze on
suddenly.
"A change in the room startled me. The
heavy po-tiere was thrown aside, the fold
ing-doors stood wide open. Resolved to
penetrate this mystery, stepped into the
other room.
"A cry of horror escaped me as l did So
stood in the middle of the floor, petrifed,
the very blood freezing in my veins. There
on the bed lay a man with his throat
gashed from ear to ear, the red blood oozing
slowly uopn the white counterpane and the
rich carpet beneath His wide eyes were
upturned to the ceiling. his white face
transfixed with the death agony.
"For a second stood there as if frozen to
the spot, my senses .-eeling, my hands
clinched in a sudden agony of mortal terror;
then like flash Of lightning the truth swept
l,cI 1<.ov
mlted. The responsibility was laid on me.
In the morning the police would come to
arrest me. What vestige Of power would
have to disprove it.
With a sudden, quick energy, born of
desperation, went to my room and dressed
myself, leaving not the slightest trace of my
presence there. Assuring myself that not
card or slip of paper was left as a clew to
my identity, took my boots in my hand
and crept noiselessly down the stairway.
when l reached the door beyond the
court, l shrank back in dismay. l had
forgotten it would be locked and barred.
entered the appointment where had been
entertained the night before, hoping to find
a window unbolted To my surprise I
heard voices and perceived a light emanat-
ing from the room adjoining. The door be-
tween was slightly ajar. l walked breath
lessly across the room and peeped through
the crevice
Horror of horrors! What did see theres
The fine, courtly old gentleman of the night
before seated at faro-table, surrounded by
a motley crowd-and my fine young lady,
the brilliant, sweetvoiced enchantress of
the dianer-table, dealing out faro-b blanks,
opposite!
1T was enough turned away, realizing
then that l was in New Orleans. had
gotten into one of the worst dens of the
French city, and the beautiful Creole was
probably one Of the notorious characters /
had SO often read OF
'.No wonder my blood ran cold. What il
I could not escape? These were desperate
characters, with whom I could not cope.
The outlook was terrifying.
II tried each window cautiously. They
all resisted my efforts to raise them; all but
the last-that yielded little l struggled
with the strength of despair. In
doing so my hand touched spring which
l had not perceived before. In an instant
the window was pushed up noiselessly, and
with a stealthy bound l leaped through,
landing unhurt on the ground few feet
below.
"But what to do nexta There was that
wall, surrounded by its rows of sharp nails.
1t would have been madness to have at
tempted to scale it The gate was barred
and fastened with heavy chain. l
could not cry for assistance; that would
have meant certain death from those
desperate, dark-browed men at the faro
table. What should do! Again cold
drops Of moisture dampened my temple. /
was frantic. What should l do"
John stopped in his narrative and lit a
cigarette Eugene had handed him little
while before.
"What did you do!' Eugene was impa-