San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-03-26
THE LODGER.

plate on the door, as if in search OF pa
tients, but he seemed comfortably OIL, If
not wealthy He brought "a quantity OF
things into the house. though considered
my two parlors well furnished. First
came a desk, then bookcase and lastly a
wagon load of huge trunks.
The front parlor was his Office, the back
his surgery and he used the extension for
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 | 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 he 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
lish.
What Missy Sahib wishesf" 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 had paid him a compli,
ment.
And what country is that"
India. am 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 patient.
After they had been two months in the
house the doctor sent me word that he
would be absent few days and did not
wish any one to enter his rooms. Now
should have mentioned that am a 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 | 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
the doctors departure Mustapha came
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 a 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 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 a carriage drive up to the
door, and peeping out what was my horror
to see the doctor alight in company with
Mustapha and Il stranger Before could
move they were in the house. | darted be-
hind a portiere, trusting they would soon
90 out, Cor | hate to be caught in any act
that looks mean, and | resolved to make
my escape rs 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 fire in it. The flames shot up
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 hideous image
that stood on pedestal. His long, thin
face wore terrible expression, his hair
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 fine looking elderly gentleman, but
who seemed dreadfully nervous and pale.
THAT rite is complete 1t is portion of
the worship of the goddess silva"
| nearly screamed out. So they were
worshiping that ugly image in my back
parlors Worse was to come, however
The man placed queer shaped teakettle
over the Goals, and soon it began to sing as
if a Christian woman was going to make
civilized cup of tea.
Now for an experiment" said DR.. Ar
mold, and Mustapha drew forward one of