Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-08-13


Liebchcn.
But reckoned without my host,
II was after midnight when !
drove up TO the hotel from the sta
ton. and though, as luck would have
it. mine host had not retired for the
night, found anything but pleasant
news awaiting me. Twas absolutely
thunderstruck. There was no room
In the hotel.
WHAT at this time of the year9"
l asked, with something like irrita-
ton.
A stupid and very positive ia
answered me incontestably.
But have you no corner in which
you can squeeze me for the nightY
asked
The landlord consulted his slate.
He also consulted very sleepy and
obstinate servant--the kind of man
who seemed determined not to smile
or be genial, and appeared to take a
quiet and fiendish delight in my
misery.
Eyes; there was one room"
|. There was one room; but should
object. There was not somebody,
but something in it,
What is thatr' I asked curiously.
"a black box"
looked astonished.
"Oh, there is nothing to be alarmed
at" said my host, wondering at the
curious expression of countenance !
had assumed.
1.-THE fact of the matter is this:
An officer, who is to be attached to
the cavalry regiment quartered in
the town, telegraphed to me only
this morning for particular room
which he always uses. He said that
he would send ON his luggage before
hand, and arrive by the last train to-
night. The luggage, consisting of
this one black box, arrived, not be-
forehand, but ON the last train, and
as the officer has not up to this mo-
ment made his appearance. and as l
cannot imagine that he is remaining
SO late with any friends in the town,
there will surely be no harm in your
occupying his room"
Accordingly l went very grateful
ly up to bed, and too tired even to
take the precaution of locking my
door. l surveyed the black box for a
few minutes, wondered how officers
could use such ridiculous and un-
slightly Golfers for conveying their
impedimenta and very shortly after
turned into bed.
/ was dead tired, but, strange to
say, / was restless and could not
sleep; indeed ] was, if anything,
overtired.
was excited with my rapid jour
ney, excited with the thought of see
ing Annabel, worried with the pro-
lixity of the landlord and curious
about the black box.
/ was gradually becoming excited
about this box L fancied all sorts
of horrors My mind wandered
from Greenacre, the murderer, to
the horrible Pantin tragedy; from
Portia to Bluebeard; from the dra-
matte narrative of the "Mistl toe
Bough" to the thrilling tragedy of
the "Iron Chest, which l had seen
during Mr.. Charles Kean's manage
ment at the Princess theater.
And then I suppose from sheer ia
tigue / must have dozed.
A sudden and sharp click awoke
mel
/ sat bolt up in bed and listened
Not sound.
The box again fascinated me; 80,
shrinking down beneath the sheets
again, / watched it.
Slowly slowly-inch by inch,
/ saw the lid of the box move.
There was no use denying it-1
was in terrible fright. I don't
mind the natural, but ! have holy
hor. or Of the supernatural. / was
in a fevered, nervous and unfortu-
nate state, and in that horrible con-
dition between sleeping and waking
hardly knew what was about.
Still the lid of the box rose grad
ually. There was no doubt about it.
Then head appeared and il
looked stealthily around the room.
instantly pretended to fall asleep,
and gave very good imitation of a
snore.
The head heightened into q body.
The lid of the box few back, and a
short, thickset man stepped out OF
his hiding place.
1t was no ghost.
He paid no attention to my jewel
ry, but made at once for the door.
He walked as noiselessly as cat
and slipped quietly out of the room.
There was no time to be lost
hurried on . few articles of clothing
provided myse.f with stout walk
inw Siicl. tna rrlv tlino had handy