The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-05-20
NOT An ORDINARY IMAM.
First Impressions Of the Landlady
or Dr.. Arnold, a Nav
Roomer.
And, Woman-Like. She Deter
mined to Find Out Some
thing OF Him.
Nearly Los Her Senses From Fright Over
Her Disco very-Thc Dead Brought
to Lie.

Ifclt the moment I saw him that DR..
Arnold Was not an ordinary man. He hired
my f1rst foo aud put I bell and plate on
the door. IA II in search Of patients. but he
seemed comfortably of, II not wealthy. He
brought Z quantity Of things into the house.
though considered my two parlors we'll
furnished. First came q desk. then a book
cass and lastly 4 wagon load Of huge trunks.
Thu front parlor Was his Office. the back
his surgery. and he used the extension
for bedchamb sr. l was delighted
whom caught sight of the
rooms after the doctor and his colored
servant had arranged them. The doors and
windows were all drapsd with magnificent
curtains Or portierss made Of rich stuff,
embroidered in strange patterns. COLLINS.
birds, butterhies and queer creatures such
a. I had nsvs seen nor heard of revsled all
over the curtains, which were framed OF
heavy, dark green silk. Much OF the en-
broidery was in gold and all the portisrss
were finished with heavy gold bullion
fringes. Then there were rugs and mats 20
brillians and beautiful that they seemed to
my eyes handsome enough to be framed
like pictures.
The thought came into my mind that the
doctors wealth must be u~nbounded, and I
felt I must respect even if I did not like
him.
As I gazed the servant came in with his
stsalthy step. a. noisslssaly Is . snake. Hs
bowed and addressed me in broken Eng
lish.
"What Missy sshib wishss" he asked in
his smooth, silly voice.
Idisliked tho man a. much as I liked his
master. He was not like any solored man
his long face always wore a smile. but his
eyes were like q snakes and 50 were his
movements, and his long, straight hair
, seemed glued TO his narrow head.
Nothing. 1 am only admirine the
rooms. hose curtains are, beautiful"
"They are from my country" be said,
bowling, a. If had paid him q compliment.
"And what country 10 thatT"
India. I am a Hindoo."
After that T did not see much Of master
or man. They had paid the rent and gave
no trouble. The servant waited o 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 looms. Now !
should mention that am a woman. and I
must also confess that l inherit my own
share of Mother Ewes curiosity; 80 a. soon
as I saw the doctor SO out OF the house l
was determined ! should examine his
apartm ents at my leisure. hustapha, the
man. however. remained behind and I had
to possess my soul in patience till hs should
be out of tho way.
Thu opportunity came three days after
the doctor's departure. Mustapha came
down to in form me that he was going ont
for q short time.
took my bunch Of ksys-for, like most land
ladies, I have a spare kew for every room in
the house and take care to 20 through them, |
for an unprotected woman does not want to
harbor anarchists without knowing it-and
unlocked the door of the extension.
Dear me! What heaps of beautiful things
there were in those rooms. China so refined
and thin that it looked as if a breath would
destroy it, odd images of gold and silver, !
bron zes, dishes and figures, and most of the
Nols-for such I afterward learned they
were-had great. examining eyes, made CT
precious stones. that seemed to follow me
about and made me nervous.
/ took my time and was in the front par
lor when I heard a carriage drive up to the
door, Ind peeping out what was my horror
to sec the doctor alight in company with
Mustapha and a stranger. Before I could
move thoy were in the house. IGarted be
hind 4 p~ortiere, trusting they would soon
90 out, for l hate to be caught in any act
that looks mean, and I resolved to make
nv escape as soon al l had the place to my
self.
To nv surprise M~ustapha proceeded to
lock tho door-the curtains were already
close drawn before every window-and he
lit two or three lar 60 lamps, which gave out
4 delicate perfume which caused my head
to swim.
He then took out a copper brazier and
kindled a fire in it. The flames shot up
and the perfume grew stronger and seemed
to fill the room with moving forms amid
the smoke. Istood like a person bewitched
md Mussapha 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 4 terrible expression. His hair
seemed to stand on end and u CHASTITY grin
distorted his fsaturea.
At length tho Hindoo stopped his. chant
and the doctor turned to the stranger, who
WAS a fine looking elderly gentleman, but
who seemed to be drsadfully nervous and
"That rite IL complete. Tt is a portion of
the Worship of the goddess silva"
l nearly screamed out. So they were
worshipping that ugly image in my back
parlor? Worse was to come, however.
The man placed a queer shaped teakettle
ever tho Goals, and soon it began to sing as
if a Christian woman was going to make a
CUP Of tea. :
Nov for an experiment." said DR.. Ar
mold, and Mustapha drew forward one of
tho enormous trunks. It was covered with ,
a tiger skin, which he threw aside.
Examine your senls,' said the doctor.
See if they have been tempered with"
NO"
The stranger looked paler and seemed
more nervous every moment
He had examined tho seals on the looks
Of the trunk carefully. 1t had three.
"Ihey are Just az they we're three months !
ago to-day"
YES"
The doctor struck q match and lit q taper,
He held the flame to tho red wax and the
seal melted.
Unlock the trunk"
The stranger drew akey from his pocket,
and did 80 with trembling hands.
The lid WAS thrown back and Mustapha,
nasisted by his master, drew a shanClcss