The San Francisco call., 1904-03-06

Kearny street for few blocks, turned
10 his right and began to mount the
ascending sidewalk that led to his
lodgings. These were in a humble ana
unfashionable neighborhood in Bush
street The house was Of kind
whence gentility has departed. 1t
stood back on the top OF two small ter
races. up which mounted two wooden
flights Of stairs, one with list to star
board so pronounced that Essex had,
once or twice, while ascending. thought
the city in the throes of an earthquake.
The darkness of night wrapped it
now. AS 1t was early a light within
shone out dimly through two narrow
panes OF glass fianking the hall door.
He let himself In and mounted a dirtily
carpeted stairway. The place smelled
eviIly Of old cooking and the smoke Of
many and various cigarettes, cigars
and pipes. 1t was mans rooming-
house, and the men evidently smoked
where and what they listed. Essex had
no idea who they were and had seen
only one OF them; a man on the same
floor with him who. he surmised, by
the occasional boisterousness OF his en-
frances, frequently came home drunk.
His room was one OF the best in the
house, on the front, and with a large
bay window commanding the street. II
wes fairly comfortable and well fur
nished, and the draft Of soft, chill air
that crossed IT from the opened window
kept It fresh. Essex, after lighting the
gas in the pendent chandelier, bent
and l5indled the fire laid in the crate.
Like many foreigners, he found San
Francisco cold, and after the manner
Of hts bringing UP would no more
have denied himself a fire when he was
chilly than q glass of wine when he
was thirsty. Different nations have
their different extravagances, and Els
sex's French boyhood had stamped him
with respect for the little comforts Of
that intelligent race.
He pulled UP an easy chair and sat
down In front Of the small blaze, with
his hands out. It's warmth was pleas
ant, and he stayed thus, thinking. Pres
entity he smiled slightly. his ear having
caught the sounds OF his fellow lodger's
stumbling ascent Of the stairs. The
man was evidently drunk again, and he
wondered vaguely how he ever man
aged to mount the terrace steps with
the list to starboard.
The lodger's door opened, shut. and
there was silence. Essex-an earnest
reader-was soon deep IN his book.
From this he was interrupted by step
in lie passage and light knock on the
door In response to his Come in," the
door opened hesitantly, and the man
from across the hall thrust in his
head. 1t was head Of wild gray hair,
with an old yellow face, scanned and
shrfveled beneath IT. The eyes, which
were beadily dark and set close to the
nose, were bloodshot, the lips slack and
uncertain. A very dirty hand was
curled round the edge Of the door.
We'll, what is it?' said Essex.
I've lost my matches agin," said the
man. in whiningly apologetic tone.
There are some," said Essex, desig
mating his box on the mantelpiece.
Take what you want"
The stranger shambled in, and after
scratching about the box with trem-
ulous hand, secured a bunch. Essex
looked at him with cynical interest. He
was miserably dressed, dirty, and
ragged. He walked with an apologetic
slouch, as IL continually expecting a
kick in the rear. He was evidently very
drunk, and the odor OF the liquids he
had imbibed compassed him in an am
bulating reek.
Thanks to you. Doc" he said, as he
went out so long"
A few minutes later Essex heard a
crash from his neighbor's room, and
then exclamations Of anger and dole.
These continuing with an increased vol
ume, Essex rose and went to the source
Of sound. The room was pitch dark,
and from it, as from the entrance to
the cave OF the damned, imprecations
and lamentations were issuing in a
strenuous flood. With the match he
had brought he lit the gas, and turning
saw his late visitor holding by the foot
board Of the bed, having overturned a
small stand, which had evidently been
surmounted by a nickel clock.
What the devil do you mean by
making such a noise?" he said angrily.
Pardon, pardoni" said the other
humbly, but / couldn't find the gas
this time, Doc This is a small room,
but things do get away somehow"
He looked stupidity about with his
bleared eyes. The room was small and
miserably dirty and uninviting.
There's a room." he said suddenly
in a loud, dramatic tone and with a
sweep Of his arm, "for a man who
might have been a bonanza king!"
Essex turned to go.
IF you make any more Of this row
tonight I'll see that you're turned out
tomorrow" he said haughtily.
He wheeled about on the drunkard as
he spoke. The mans sodden face was
lit with a flash Of malevolent intelli-
gence, to be superseded Immediately by
a wheedIing smile
Il seen you before to-day" he said.
We'll, you'll see me again tonight II
you don't keep quiet, and this time you
won't like it."
You was with lady, fine-looking
lady"
"Here-no more Of that talk" said
Essex threateningly.
The man stopped. looking furtlvely at
him as II half expecting to be struck
Essex turned toward the door and
passed out. AS he did SO he heard him
mutter: And I'd seen her before
too"
Back in his room the young man took
up his book again, but the thread of his
- Il