The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-01-16
A TERRIBLE NIGHT OF SUS.
PENSE WITH A STRANGE
ROOM MATE.

Don't call me for breakfast in
the morning" This instruction was
given to a servant in the hall who
had just shown the speaker to the
room which I OCCUPIED on the third
floor of the hotel.
The newcomer closed and secur-
ed the door, deposited his valise
and overcoat on the floor and turn
ed up the gas, while l, who had
been awakened by his entrance,
lay blinking at the light which
glared in my face. AS the clerk
told me they were crowded and he
said they would probably have to
put some one else In my room when
the 12:40 express arrived, l was
not surprised or alarmed at this
midnight intrusion.
The stranger was man perhaps
80 years of age; he was above me-
dunn height, of athletic build, clean
shaver except light blond mus
tache, and had the manner and
general appearance which would
lead a casual observer to denomin-
ate him as one of that variegated
class commonly known as CONNER
cial tourists.
Having completed my mental
criticism of him, l was about to
close my eyes and endeavor to re-
sumo my much needed repose, as
l had to take the train at a. m.
when, catching for the first time
a good view of his face in the light,
l noticed a gloomy and troubled
look upon his countenance. 1t was
evident that a great weight of sor-
row, some calling burden of grief,
rested on his mind.
His was not the weary and jaded
look of one who was worn out with
Ion gravel. No; it was sad,
gloomy and respondent, yet fierce,
determined and desperate. 1t as
calculated to arouse curiosity and
sympathy, and at the same time to
overawe prying scrutiny and to
repel proffered sympathy.
| lay cycling the man, who had
not taken notice of me or seemed
to be aware of my presence. Moth
ing but excessive mental torture
and great travail of spirit could
produce on the countenance an ex-
preston SO pitiably sad and yet so
fruitfully desperate.
AS in gloomy and meditative ST.
lence he undressed himself, with
considerable effort drew off his trim
narrOw-toed CATERS and prepared
to retire, l wondered what mighty
grief it was tat had fastened it.
self upon him; what wrongs he had
suffered, what disappointment en-
countered, or what crime had he
committed that now arose like a
gaunt specter before him and
wrung his soul in torture. He at
last seemed ready to retire, but in
stead of doing So opened his valise,
which lay at his feet, and, after
rummaging over it's contents a
while, took out a razor and began
stropping it on the palm Of his
hand.
AS l looked at his face, now
darker and more determined than
ever, at the bright blade which
glittered in the light, and at his
neck, now barred to the breast can
appalling possibility flashed to my
mind: Is he about to end his suf-
ferings - to quiet the pangs of re,
morse with the horrible and COW.
ardly crime of self murder? Is he
about to thrust his blackened soul
into the presence of his Master
with this browning act of wicked.
ness? Am to witness a horrible
and bloody deed?
could scarcely restrain myself
fro mspringing up and crying out
yet almost feared to breathe, lest
| should attract his attention
Transfixed with terror and alarm
| lay, convulsively clutching the
butt of my revolver beneath my
pillow and watching his every mo-
ton, as, with demoniacal delibera.
ton he continued stropping the ra
zor on the palm of his hand, now
drawing it across his thumb nail
now holding it toward the light tc
inspect the keenness of the edge
He soon laid the razor on the table
again turned to his valise, and, af