The Opelousas courier., 1898-12-10
A Dian Of ugstsTy.
By Dan O'Connell.

One moist and windy morning i
January, when passing a frame built
ing on Ellis street, where a larg
force of carpenters were at wor.
swinging On giLdy scafTolds many fee
from the ground, l observed a tai
and unusually thin man seated on
pile Of lumber, watching with the ut
most inteHtnesS the Workmen. Witt
the instinct of tie newspaper reporter
ever seeking information, l asked hin
to whom the building belonged ant
what it was intended for, believing
that he was the architect, or possibly
the contractor.
81 do not know, sir. l am a stranger
in the city, he replied, in a voice OF
singular harshncss.
4 beg your pardon. I thought yor
might he the architect" l said; "yor
seem to take an interest in the work
Not in the work, but in the work
men," he rejoined, with a grin, which
made his small, mean face, with its
little red eyes absolutely diabolical.
Then possibly you are yourself a
carpenter continued; "a fine trade
the carpenter and mason are. to my
mind, the noblest orders of mechan-
les; they are the creators, or rather
the instruments that carry out the in
SEPARATION of the architect"
"They do not interest me in that
way" said the stranger, shuffling off
the lumber pile and moving off, a pal
pable hint that he required no more
Of my conversation.
This incident left no impression on
my memory, for, although l frequent
ly passed the new building on my way
to my office, l saw no more of the red
eyed a
One fine Sunday, attracted by the
at Bakers Beach, I strolled ont to
that picturesque curve in the harbor's
entrance. AS the aeronaut took hold
of the parachute and gave the word to
let go, l saw the stranger. The eX-
preston on his face was one of in
tense, and, 1 might say, malignant
concentration. His eyes We're fixed
on the b%espangled figure of the athlete
with a ferocity which not alone aston
ished me, but gave ME such a decid-
edly uncomfortable feeling, that /
involuntarily stepped from beside him.
Il am all right, and away we go.'
cried the aeronaut, and the crowd
cheered as the graceful sphere sailed
skyward. Under and over the bar the
aeronaut tumbled, now holding on
with one arm, now clinging with his
toes, still leaving the dull earth far
Their behind him every moment.
by Heavens! he'll get down safely.
He's not nervous, -unless-unless the
parachute should collapse. Then We'll
be all right, and there won't be u
whole bone in his body"
This peculiar speech was uttered by
the mysterious stranger who, in the |
forward movement of the crowd, was
again at my chow. Determined to
discover the source Of this ordinary
Of malignity, l said,-
ut seems, sir, you do not feel we'll
disposed toward our friend who is now
tumbling in mid-air. Is he an enemy
Of yours or a rival professionals"
"He is neither. I come here, as
every Il else, yourself included,
young man, hoping that he. will fall. 1
I'm candid enough to say so, and l
presume you are hypocrite enough to
1eclare that you hope he will descend
n safety"
II certainly do hope so, with all my
| replied warmly; "why, no
,ne but a fiend incarnate would wish
hat yonder daring fellow might come
o grief"
The stranger smiled, but the smile
vas sardonic enough to come under
he head Of a grimace.
Il have met you before he said;
one morning on Ellis street. l re.
member your face now. Come, l feel
ather ~companionable this evening.
Dine with me. l am almost a perfect =
tranger in this city, and you will be
[oing a lonesome nan a favor if You
ccept my invitation"
l consented, overcoming the repug-
allce / felt for the sake of knowing !
about this person, who was evil !
emily a man of mystery. He named i
n address on Pine street, the hour +
even, and lifting his hat, with an !
greeable, almost amiable air,of which l
could not believe his hard, grim fea-
ures capable, we parted until that !
our. {
While dressing for dinner | was full $
t conjecture about my strange ac- I
u~aintance. His name he had not Civ I
n me, nor had he mentioned whether $
e was a married man or a bachelor. |
s he had not appointed a restaurant !
our dining place, l concluded that
10. - Pine street must be a board
lg house. However, at ten minutes
the hour of dining; / rung the bell s
{ a large, old-fashioned house, dingy {
nd neglected-looking to a degree. A t
apanese servant admitted me. and
my host seated in a Handsomely I
FINISHED parlor. He was in evening q
ress, 50 / at once decided that we
ere not to be without ladies' seci t
~. t
must pardon me-. he said .
.ourteously, for my neglect to give
on my name. / am such a hermit /
lat have almost forgotten the con- /
! am Albert la Mour, !