Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-20

ratlve.
1t was the first time that entered |
the house on the lake. ! had often
begged the "trap-door lover" as we
used TO call Erik in my country, 10
open it's mysterious doors to me. He
always refused. ! made very many
attempts, but in vain, TO obtain ad-
mittance. Watch him as ! might,
after ! first learned that he had taken
up his permanent abode at the opera,
the darkness was always too thick TO
enable me to see how he worked the
door in the wall on the lake One
day. when / thought myself alone,
stepped into the boat and rowed to-
ward that part OF the wall through
which | had seen Erik disappear. II
was then that came into contact
with the siren who guarded the ap-
proach and whose charm was very
nearly fatal TO me-
/ had no sooner put OF from the
bank than the silence amid which 1
fioated on the water was disturbed by
sort of whispered singing that how
cred all around me. II was half
breath, half music; It rose softly from
the waters OF the lake, and ! was sur
rounded by # through | knew not
: what artihce. II followed me. moved
with me and was so soft that It did
not alarm me. On the contrary, in
my longing 10 approach the source OF
that sweet and entiCing harmony, |
leaned out of my little boat over the
water, for there was no doubt IN my
mind that the singing came from the
water itself. BY this time. | was
alone in the boa, - the middle OF the
lake: the voice-for II was now dis
unctly a voice-was beside me, on
the water. leaned over. leaned still
farther. The lake vas perfectly calm.
and moonbeam that passed through
the air hole I'm the Rue Scribe showed
me absolutely nothing on its surface.
which was smooth and black as ink
I shook my ears TO get rid OF a posi-
BILE humming, but ! soon had TO &C
cept the fact that there was no hum
ming In the ears so harmonious as
The singing whisper that followed ana
now attracted me
Had ] been inclined 10 superstition,
should nave certainly thought that /
had TO do with some siren whose bus
mess II was 10 confouud the traveller
who should venture on the waters OF
the house on the lake. Fortunately, 1
come from country where We are
too fond OF fantastic things not to
know them through and through: and
| had no doubt but that was face to
face with some new invention OF
Erik's. But this invention was SO per.
feet that. as leaned out OF the boat,
/ was tmpelled less by a desire 10
discover It's trick than to enjoy its
charm; and | leaned out. leaned out
until ] almost overturned the boat.
suddenly. two moustrous arms Is
sued from the bosom OF the waters
and seized me by the neck. dragging
me down 70 the depths with irresisti
bic force. ! should certainly have
been lost. II had not time to give a
cry by which Erik knew me. For II
was he. and, instead OF drowning me
as was certainly his first intention
be swan with me and laid me gently
on the bank:
How imprudent you are" he said
as he stood before me, dripping with
water. Why try to enter my house!
l never invited you! don't want you
there. nor anybody. Did you save
my life only to make it unbearable 70
me? However great the service YOU
rendered him. Erik may end by for
getting it; and you know that nothing
can restrain Erik, not even Erik him
self"
He spoke, but had now no Other
wish than to know what I already
called the trick of the siren He sat
isfed my curiosity. for Erik. who is 2
real monster have seen him a,
work in Persia, alas-is also. in GER
tain respects. a regular child. vair
and self-conceited. and there is moth
ing he loves so much, after astonisn
ing people. as to prove all the really
miraculous ingenuity OF his mind.
He laughed and showed me a Ions
reed
IT'S the silliest trick you ever saw
he said. but It's very useful tol
breathing and singing in the water
learned II from the TOnkin pirates
who are able to remain hidden fol
hours in the beds of the rivers"
spoke to him severely.
It's Q trick that nearly killed me-
said. And Il may have been fata
60 others! You know what you prom
ised me. Erik? No more murders,"
Have ! really committed muir
ders?- he asked. putting on his mos
amisble air.
'Wretched mani ] cried. Have
you forgotten the rosy hours Of
Mazsnderan?
Yes" he replied. IN q sadder tone
I prefer 20 forget them. / used q
make the little sultAnA laugh
thought"
An that belongs to the past de
Glazed. but there Is the present
and you are responsible TO me for the
present because, / had wished
ehere would have been none At al
Dor you. ReDemb>r that, ERIK; l
saved your ufaIs