Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-05-19


wanted to hire rooms. But being that
there was that about the looks of this
man that made me think of back rents
that never could be collected, and being
that Belfry is poor man and must
i've, l said at once to this shabby gen
tleman that was not looking for tran
sients, and if he wanted to come here /
should require three months rent in adj
vance. He gave me such start then
that I haven't got over it yet, for he
draws out roll of bills as big as my fist
and counts out the money at once.
That's the first knew of that individ-
uaL He took the rooms at sight, and I
busted out, and he moved up a couple Of
trunks, and I didn't see no more of him
for two days"
"Was he alone?"
pretty much, only he had woman
with him"
"Was she young or old?'
Couldn't say She wore veil. He
called her his daughter. Perhaps she
was Belfry is still undecided about
that He has kept a lodging house long
enough to know shy-canery when he
sees it. [ think may remark that of
Belfry fair and candid. Iwould mention
that this woman wore veil that con-
cealed her features; that she got out of
bus at the door and went straight up
to her rooms. Nobody got good look
| at her, though divers persons to my
knowledge tried. All I can tell you
about that parsonage, Mr.. Maxey, is
that she wore the clothes of female
and was Of a melancholy disposition. -
''How do you know that?"
Because the partitions arc not over
thick, and the ledger in the next room
heard her crying"
els that all he heard?''
"You are surprised, Mr.. Maxey, at
that lodger's stupidity. So was l. The
man was an ass. Why, he didn't even
take the trouble to put his ear to the
wall When 1 talked with him about it
afterward and expressed my feelings
plainly in plying smile, he could not
see it even then. You don't know what
you've missed says l. Don't want
to-, says he. If got out of bed to lis
ten every time heard a woman squall,
1 shouldn't sleep at all Women arc al
ways crying.
"Well, and what became of this man
Dye?'
GAS was telling You, Mr.. Maxey,
he was invisible for two days, and then
one night met him coming down stairs
with the key of his door in his hand.
Mr.. Belfry, he says, business calls me
out of town'-them were his very words
my daughter has taken her opportu-
nifty to go and visit friends of hers in
the city. Unfortunately she went away
in a hurry, and I forgot two things-to
leave the key to the rooms with her or
to give her any money. And thereupon
of his pocket this very identical bill
which 1 shows you now, Mr.. Maxey,
and went his ways -
Mr.. Belfry passed over for the artists
scrutiny a clean, new $50 bill.
This 1 was to give to tho woman
should she come back in his absence;
but, as you have gathered, guess, have
never set eyes on either of them from
that day to this, which, if 1 do say it,
in the estimation of Belfry has all the
ear markings of shy -canery ON tho face
of it.
"Mr. Bolfry, you referred to another
inquirer after Mr.. Dye. Did I under
stand you it was q woman?'
VERY like, Mr. Ma1ey. Do you know
her?"
"Wel1,' returned Maxey i'll IL nom
committal way, "what if do?''
The landlords left eye closed and
opened i'll a suggestive manner.
''Name begins with F, eh? Pretty
we'll up? Something of sumner for
looks?''
Maxey's blank face almost caused the
sly landlord to smile, but he bit his lip
and went on:
''Oh well, if you don't come from
her, 1 shouldn' It feel at liberty to speak
about confidential matter of course
That wouldn't be proper, not unless l
felt and believed that 1 was working in
a good cause y man s conscience might
sometimes lead him to do something
which, generally speaking, he mightn't
be anxious to do.
Maxey deliberately took $40 bill
from his pocket and placed it OH the ta-
BILE
"You are working in the best of
causes, he said. "'Let us know all about
the lady. know 1 am trespassing on
your valuable time, Mr. Belfry, and l
simply want to show you that do not
mean to overlook the fact that time is
money"
ooh, don't mention it, Mr.. Maxey.
shouldn' t think of charging you any
thing for my little trouble, only 1 would
like to feel sure that you are on the right
side and that all is confidential between
u.s."
crest assured of all this, Mr. Bel
fry"
The sly landlords glance rested alb
stractedly on the bank note on the table. |
He seemed to have entirely forgotten its |
presence.
THE word of gentleman ought to
be enough for me, Mr.. Maxey, and I !
will conceal nothing. Within the last |
three weeks a certain mysterious female |
has rung at my bell at least four times !
She always comes in the night pretty |
late, alone and with a dowdy shawl on
and good thick veil over her face. But |
don't think I'm an idjet, Mr.. Maxey |
After being in the lodging house bust
ness for 10 years am used to shy canery
little. She's no servant girl, for people |
like her can't pick up the ways of serv-
ant girls so very easy, and they only |
mince the matter when they try to pull |
the wool over tho eyes of so old bird |
as Belfry.''
The sly landlord chuckled and con-
tinued:
First two times she acted nervous
and only came to tho door and seemed |
to be covering up her real voice. The |
next two times she was nervouser, but
she came in. The last time she got a
little scared at her own boldness and left
a letter to be delivered to this man Dye
Immediately on his return, to save her
self the trouble of calling again, she
said''
"a sealed letter?''