The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1913-10-25
CHAPTER /.
The Boarders.

ties OF NeW YORK, accounts diner
somewhat-although not enough. after
all, but what we may piece together a
connected story. Until the great event,
they were trivial. IL was the reflected
light OF the tragedy which gave them
their Importance.
Most OF the boarders remained In
doors, since II was too wet in the
early evening for faring outof-doors
with comfort. After dinner. Miss
Harding and Miss Jones, stenogra-
piers, who shared a room.and-alcove
on the second floor, entertained com
ipany" In the parlor on the ground
rdoor-two young ofice-mates who fig
ure but dimly In this tale. These call
ers came at eight o'clock. A few min
utes later Professor Noll joined them.
Professor Noll was a diet delusionist,
the assistant editor OF a health-food
magazine. He lived on the third floor,
across the hall from Captain Hanska.
Miss Harding and Miss Jones had
not arrived at that point with their
young men where they wanted to visit
alone. When Professor Noll entered
and suggested music, they welcomed
him. He sat down to the piano, there.
fore, and they all sang the foolish
.ephemeral songs of the picture-shows.
Mrs. Moore stood in the hall for q
time, listening. Once or twice she left
~momentarily to look after towels, fur
nace-heat and other ~housewifely cares.
One Of these tours took her to the top
OF the house, where Miss Estrilla, the
lady sick with weak eyee, lived in a
halfdarkened room. She was O new
conner, this Miss Estrilla, and not yet
we'll enough to take her meals In the
diningroom. Miss Estrilla's brother,
q slim. m%ercurial little Latin with an
entertaining trick Of the tongue, was
reading to her by a shaded lamp, as
he often did OF evenings. When Mrs.
Moore rejoined the others, they were
singing ~full-voice.
On the stairs Mrs. Moore met Cap
tain Hanska passing up from his late
r and solitary dinner. He was a little
Irregular about meals; and this eve
ming he had come In. demanding din
ner. after everything was cleared
away. Half the clearinghouse liked
Captain Hanska. and half disliked
him. Rather land more accurately
all half-liked and half-hated him.
Before he started up the stairs he
paused an instant at the parlor door
and looked upon the singers.
Come on in-the waters hne!"
called Miss Harding jocularly.
Captain Hanska returned no answer.
Apparently one OF his sardonic gibes
was on his lips, but he let II die there.
And he turned away.
He can certainly be a crouch when
be wants to-" said Miss Harding. as
though a~pologizing to the young men.
"Fierce!" exclaimed Miss Jones.
And they resumed their singing. AS
Captain Hanska passed Mrs. Moore
on the lower flight OF stairs. his head
was bent and he gave no sign OF rec
ignition.
Mrs. Moore did not leave the par
lor, she testified a~fterward, until Mr..
Lawrence Wade called, asking for
Captain Hanska. AS on previous oc-
c%asions, he gave her his card, which
read: mr.. Lawrence Wade. Curfew
Club" He had called before; whether
two or three times. Mrs. Moore's mem
DRY would never serve TO tell. But
she recognized him perfectly-she
would have known him anywhere. she
said.
Mrs. Moore carried the card to Cap
Main Hanska's room on the third floor.
What is it?" he growled. as che
Knocked.
Mr.. Wade to see YOU" she replied.
She remembered afterward that he
paused for an instant before he IN
swered; also she heard a rustling as
though some one we're moving about.
I've gone to bed" he said after a
pause. Where ia he? Downstairs? =
Yes, sir"
Then chow him up" said the Cap
Tain. but say I've gone to bed"
Mrs. Moore turned back to summon
I'M. Wade; as she did 80. Mr.. Estrilla
Fame down from the floor above.
oh, good evening. Mr.. Estrilla!"
said Mrs. Moore. did your sister"
Just then the voice OF Captain Han
ska broke In from behind the door.
Walt a minute. Ask Mr.. Wade II
mihus my not Boeeihb uP ifo ~
cold and I've taken some medicine"
Very we'll, Captain" replied Mrs.
Moore. Estrilla, seeing that she was
engaged, went on downstairs TO the
'front.' door.
This narrative has gone. so far,
rom the point of view OF Mrs. Moore.
We will shift now to Miss Harding;
Tor A Tina Iat her mind be the crystal
l our thought. A moment before Mrs.
Moore came back and told Mr.. Wade
i l.aat Captain Hanska would see him.
+ MT Estrilla appeared at the door or
.ne parlor. Although they mad seen
put little Of him at Mrs. Moore's. ne
ma popular for a Latin lightness or
w Ampnt. a cheerful and winning
% II nimhle wit which lost nothing
eatsp 81 his quaint accent. and va