Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-08-07
THE MYSTERY OF THE INN.

lily M ~ u Lila vi xA0 XA\ AN
1t was in July. and the night was
dark and stormy, With livid flashes
CT lightning and peals of thunder that
made the earth tremble.
l had ridden all day long, and it
was with thankful feeling at last
that l alighted from my jaded horse
and entered the welcome inn at H.
Not soul was in sight; a lamp
was burning on little table in the
hall, but all the rooms were dark and
silent, save when the thunder made
the windows rattle. and the wind
sang a wild song around the gables
or the lightning made a fiery track
as it flashed through space.
You could scarcely call H n town;
it did not boast two hundred inhab-
itants, and these retired at nightfall
and left the streets to the darkness.
But had never found the inn de-
serted at this hour, and I was ct a
loss to account forit.
"Hello!' l shouted, with all my
might, stamping vigorously on the
oaken floor. and knocking on the
table. with the butt of my whip. "1s
this a graveyard"
But there was no answer.
Invent from room to room, kno OK
ing on all the doors.
They were locked and there was no
response.
Then, greatly wondering, I walked
to the front again, where my horse
stood, still painting from his long
journey.
saw man and woman walking
hurriedly toward the inn. The man
carried lantern in one hand and a
musket in the other.
Ills this the fellow" he asked,
bringing the light to bear on me,
and lowering his rife from his shout
der.
God bless us!'' exclaimed the wom-
an, whom l recognized as Mistress
Ply m, the keeper OF the inn. "lf it
amt Captain. No." she said, i'd
dressing the man; "this is not him
he's inside"
As they entered said: "There is
no one here, l assure you. have
been knocking on the doors and call
ing for nearly half an hour. There
was not a soul in the house when
arrived"
"Oh, but there u.s." said the land.
lady. "He went in the room and
locked himself in. He's strange
man to me, and he acts stranger
than he looks. He said he was going
to die ut twelve o'clock. want no
dead men in my house"
Twas interested; but saw the man
with the lantern, who was the town
Waterman, looked frightened. "What
room is he in?" asked.
"The one at the end of the pas
sage" said the woman, in q low
voice. "Do see if you can make him
open the door,"
Followed by the watchmaI, l pro-
ceeded to the room and knocked
loudly on the door.
There was no response.
1.-THE house is on fire!" l shouted.
"Open the door, if you would save
YOURSELF
No answer.
"Get an axe" said to the watch.
man, land we will break the door
down."
YES" said Mistress Plym, break
it if you will. I'll have no dead man
in my housed"
"Will you open the door," / shout
ed again. But there was no soune
within.
Crash! and the lock was shivered-
the door few back with a bang.
: At a little table in the middle of tn
room, his head bowed in his hands
: sat a man. He raised his head wear
: ily as we entered; his face was as pal
} as death, his eyes had q wild ant
hunted look. \.
} "Why should you break in on m
in this fashion," he said. "Have
not paid my reckoning? What d
l YOU want with me?"
81 want you to leave the house.
. said the landlady, 6inging some oil
. yer on the table. There's the mon
! ey you paid me; I'll have no dea'
men in hercl'
leave the room," I whispere.
. Mistress Plym; "I'll remain here Wit
him and see what the trouble Il"