Evening journal., 1892-02-27
THE LODGER.


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
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 drapcd
with MAGNIFICENT curtains or porteres
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 be unbounded, |
and felt | must respect even II 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
! fish.
what Missy sahib wishesY" he asked
in his smooth oily voice.
| disliked the man as much as did his
master. He was not like any colored man
I had ever SEEN He was tall and thin and
his long face always wore smile, but his
eyes were like a snakes, and so were his
movements, and his long, straight hair
seemed glued to his narrow head.
Nothing. / am only admiring the
I rooms. Those curtains are beautiful"
ttffft. aN14aHN hl anfH
bowling as If had paid him a compli
, ment
"And what country is thati"
India / 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 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 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
4 ] was determined ! should examine his
apartments ut my leisure. Mustapha, the
a man, however, remained behind. and had
D 20 possess my soul in patience till he
d should be out Of the way.
g The opportunity came three days after
p the DOCTORS departure. Mustapha came
z up to inform me that he was going out for
d a short time.
1. No sooner was he out Of the house than
Ia took my bunch Of keys-for, like most
IA landladies, have a spare key for every
=. room in the house and take care to g
r through them, for an unprotected woman
~ does not want TO harbor anarchists without
ii knowing it-and unlocked the door Of thu
1 extension.
M Dear mel What heaps Of beautiful
n things there were in those rooms. CHM
r 80 fine and thin that Il looked as If a breatl
IA would destroy It, odd images Of gold anC
m silver. bronzes, dishes and figures an,
40 most Of the idols-for such afterwar,
a learned they were-had great cleaning
mn eyes, made Of precious stones, that seeme'
,d 70 follow me about and made me nervous.
40 took my time and was in the front pan
In lor when heard carriage drive up TO th
bo door, and peeping out what was my horro
y, 10 see the doctor alight in company wit
N | Mustapha and a stranger. Before | coul
=. move they were In the house darted bl
~ ~ hind a portiere. trusting they would 500
10 20 out, for hate TO be caught IN any &C
- that looks mean, and / resolved to max
al my escape as soon as had the place TO m!
q self
To my surprise, Mustapha proceeded /
lock the door-the curtains were alread
an close drawn before every window-and
~ lit two or three large lamps, which gay
out a delicious perfume which caused m
head 70 swim.
-, He then took out a copper brasier an
~ kindled FIRE in it. The flames shot L
"" and the perfume grew stronger and scent
70 I'LL the rooms with moving forms am
mes the smoke stood like a person bewitch
the and Mustapha began to chant in some on
by landish tongue.
- The doctor stood motiouless, his gre,
,me hollow, gray eyes fixed on a hideous ina
nix that stood on a pedestal His long, Oh
olo- face wore terrible expression. his h'
rel seemed to stand on end and CHASTITY q
%. distorted his features.
At length the Hindoo stopped his cha
and the doctor turned TO the stranger, W
49, was q fine looking elderly gentleman, I
-, who seemed dreadfully nervous and pale
m "That rite Is complete. It is a portion
s ,,, the worship Of the goddess silva"
ats nearly screamed out. So they W
NJ ny. worshiping that ugly image in my bs
yi,n parlori Worse was to come, howey
ulK' The man placed a queer shaped teakei
e'i over the Goals, ana soon IL began 70 sing
MISS II a Christian woman was going TO max
seiY civilized cup Of tea.
Ines Nov for an experiment" said DR..
I'm mold, and Mustapha drew forward ont
). the enormous trunks. Il was covered "
was tiger skin, which he threw aside.
ope. Examine your seals" said the doc
heir ''5ee II they have been tempered with.
was NO.
'ings The stranger looked paler and seer
7 de- more nervous every moment.
He had examined the seals on the Il
Of the trunk carefully. It had three
''rhey are just rs they were three MOI
to ago todAyp
lther YES"
In or The doctor struck match and nc
ORTIZ per. He held the flame to the red
will and the seals melted.
from Unlock the trunk"
ave The stranger drew key from his 20
pera- ana did 80 with trembling hands.
Yellow The lid WAS thrown back and Musta
Della assisted by his master, drew a shap'
lions form from he trunk and laid it on the
herly pet
wall, believe my tongue cloveto the roo
stern my mouth OF / should have screamed.