The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-03-04
THE LODGER.

! caught sight of the rooms after the doctor
and his colored servant had arranged them
The doors apd 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. Muoa 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 l 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
| ish
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
| l 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 l am only admiring the
rooms. Those curtains are beautiful"
"They are from my country" he said,
bowling, as if l 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 l inherit my
own share of Mother EYES 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
the doctors departure. Mustapha came
up to inform me that he was going out for
a short time.
No sooner was he out of the house than l
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 1 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 aiight in company with
Mustapha and a stranger. Before | could
move they were in the house. / darted be-
hind a 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 l had the place to my
self
To my surprise, Mustapha proceeded 70
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 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 a hideous image
that stood on q pedestal His long, thin
face wore a 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 q portion of
the worship of the goddess silva"
| nearly screamed ont. 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 8
civilized cup of tea.
NOW for an experiment" said Or. Ar
mold and Mustapha drew forward one Of
the enormous trunks. 1t was covered with
a 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. 1t had three
'They are just as they were three months
ago today'"
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 a KEY from his pocket
and did 80 with trembling hands.
The lid was thrown back aud MnStsphs,
assisted bE his master, drew a slape.eSs
form FROM the trunk and laid 1t on the car
pet
l believe ms tongue Glove 70 the roof Ct
my mouth OF Shog.d have screamed Tie
form was lnclosea al large COX ana II wa
y dead body
Examine these se2ls also"
Around Tie mouth OF tie bag rope was
tied and the Knots were sealed ike the
trunk.
Three months ago, resumed the doc /
tor 'my daughter, who was born in India /
and IS OF the religion OF Shamin, took upon