Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-03-11
THE LODGER.

a bedchamber. / was delighted when |
caught sight of the rooms after the doctor
and his colored servant had arranged them.
The doors and windows were all draped
with magnificent curtains or portieres
made of rich stuff, embroidered in strange
patterns. COLLINS, birds, butterflies and
queer creatures such as l had never seen
or heard of reveled all over the curtains,
which were formed of heavy, dark green
silk. Much of the embroidery was in gold
and all the portieres were finished with
heavy gold bullion fringes. Then there
were rugs and mats so brilliant and beau
tiful that they seemed to my eyes hand
some enough to be framed like pictures
The thought came into my mind that
the doctors wealth must be unbounded,
and felt must respect even if did not
like him
AS gazed the servant came in with his
stealthy step. as noiseless as a snake. He
bowed and addressed me in broken Eng
Iisb.
"What Missy Sahib wishes?" he asked,
in his smooth. oily voice.
/ disliked the man as much as did his
master. He was not like any colored man
had ever seen. He was tall and thin and
his long face always wore smile, but his
eyes were like snakes, and SO were his
movements, and his long, straight hair
seemed glued to his narrow head.
Nothing | am only admiring the
rooms. Those curtains are beautiful"
''They are from my country" he said,
bowling, as if l had paid him compli,
ment.
"And what country is that?"
"Iudia | am a HindOO"
After that did not see much of master
or man. They had paid the rent and gave
no trouble. The servant waited on his
master and they were very quiet dodgers.
for the doctor had scarcely a patient.
After they had been two months in the
house the doctor sent me word that he
would be absent a few days and did not
wish any one to enter his rooms. Now
should have mentioned that am woman
and must also confess that | inherit my
own share of Mother Ewes curiosity, so as
soon as saw the doctor go out of the house
| was determined l should examine his
apartments at my leisure. Mustapha, the
man, however, remained behind, and had
to possess my soul in patience till he
should be out of the way
The opportunity came three days after
up to inform me that he was going out for
short time.
No sooner was he out of the house than !
took my bunch of keys-for, like most
landladies, have spare key for every
room in the house and take care to go
through them, for an unprotected woman
does not want to harbor anarchists without
knowing it-and unlocked the door of the
extension.
Dear mel What heaps of beautiful
things there were in those rooms. China
SO fine and thin that it looked as if a breath
would destroy it, odd images of gold and
silver, bronzes, dishes and figures, and
most of the idols-for such | afterward
learned they were-had great, cleaning
eyes, made of precious stones, that seemed
to follow me about and made me nervous.
took my time and was in the front par
lor when heard carriage drive up to the
door, and peeping out what was my horror
to see the doctor alight in company with
Mustapha and stranger. Before / could
move they were in the house. darted be-
hind portiere, trusting they would soon
go out, for ! hate to be caught in any act
that looks mean, and ] resolved to make
my escape as soon as had the place to my
self
To my surprise, Mustapha proceeded to
lock the door-the curtains were already
close drawn before every window-and he
lit two or three large lamps, which gave
out delicious perfume which caused my
head to swim.
He then took out a copper brasier and
kindled a fire in it. The flames shot uI
and the perfume grew stronger and seemed
to fill the rooms with moving forms amid
the smoke. stood like person bewitched
and Mustapha began to chant in some out
landish tongue.
The doctor stood motionless, his great
hollow, gray eyes fixed on a hideous image
that stood on a pedestal. His long, thin
face wore a terrible expression, his hail
seemed to stand on end and CHASTITY grin
distorted his features.
At length the Hindoo stopped his chant
and the doctor turned to the stranger, who
| was a fine looking elderly gentleman, but
who seemed dreadfully nervous and pale.
THAT rite is complete. 1t is a portion Of
the worship of the goddess silva"
I nearly screamed out. So they were
| worshiping that ugly image in my back
parlor? Worse was to come, however
The man placed a queer shaped teakettle
over the Goals. and soon it began to sing as
if Christian woman was going to make q
civilized cup of tea.
Now for an experiment." said DR.. Ar
mold, and Mustapha drew forward one OIL
the enormous trunks. 1t was covered with
Il tiger skin, which he threw aside.
Examine your SEALS" said the doctor
See if they have been tempered with"
NO"
The stranger looked paler and seemed
more nervous every moment.
He had examined the seals on the locks
of the trunk carefully. It had three.
''They are just as they were three months
ago todays"
YES"
The doctor struck match and lit ia
per. He held the flame to the red wax
and the seals melted
Unlock the trunk"
The stranger drew key from his pocket
and did SO with trembling hands.
The lid was thrown back and Mustapha
assisted by his master, drew a shapeless
form from the trunk and laid it ON the car
pet.
believe my tongue Glove to the roof O
my mouth or should have screamed. The
form was inclosed in u large box and it wa.
a dead body.
Examine these seals also"
Around the mouth of the bag rope wa!
tied and the knots were sealed like tn,
trunk.
"Three months ago." resumed the doc
tor, my daughter who was born in Indi;
and is Of the religion of Shamin, took upol
her vow to perform this sacrifice in homo
Of the great goddess silva. She closed he
throat by swallowing strips of linen afte
the manner of Hindoo fakirs. She the1
threw herself into cataleptic state, and
in your presence, sealed her nostrils will
plugs of flax stepped in wax. 1 then in
closed her pulseless and rigid form in thi
shroud, the seals of which are still intact
shall now restore her to life"
Meanwhile Mustapha had been bus.
mixing paste of fourlike stuff and boil
ing water in a shining brass bowl.
The doctor broke the seals and drew
down the shroud, revealing the form of {
woman. Her face was shriveled and brown
like a mummy. AS stood, hoping l wa.
in horrid dream, he went on: "Observt
that this body is cold and pulseless as il
x.-bar 7 ,,I,oa1 ~ fr,,plr ~, No,