Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-10-28
CHAPTER l..
The soarders,

CHAPTER 1.
The 1oarders.
Regarding the events Of that rainy
autumn evening at Mrs. Moores
boarding-hous In the far West Tween
ties Of New York. accounts differ
somewhat-although not enough, after
all, but what we may piece together a
connected story. Until tho great event.
they were trivial. It was the reflected
light of the tragedy which gave them
their importance.
Most Of the boarders remained In
doors, since 1t was too wet in the
early evening for farins out-of.doors
with comfort. After dinner, Miss
Harding and Miss Jones, stenogra-
piers. who shared q room-and-alcove
on the second floor. entertained com
pany" In the parlor on the ground
hoor-two young office-mates who fig
ure but dimly in this tale. These call.
ere came at eight o'clock. A Tow min-
utes later Professor Noll Joined them.
Professor Noll was diet delusionist.
the assistant editor Of q 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 Nou entered
and suggested music, they welcomed
him. He sat down to the piano. there
fore, and they all sang tho foolish
ephsmeral 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.
Ono Of these tours took her to the top
Of tho house, where Miss EstFilla, the
lady sick with weak eyes, lived IN q
half.darkensd room. She was . new
conner, this Miss Estrilla, and not yet
we'll enough to take her meals In the
diaiag-rsom. Miss Estrilla's brother.
Q slim. msrcurial little Latin with an
entertaining trick Of the tongue. was
reading to her by . shaded lamp, a.
he often did Of evenings. When Mrs.
Moore rejoined the others, they were
singing full-voioe.
VI S00 USo4SO ME- 03OO1V W0S S01'
tain Hanska passing up from his late'
and solitary dinner. He was . little
irregular about meals: and this eve
ming he had como In. demanding din.
ner. after everything was cleared
away. Half the boarding-house liked
Captain Hanska, and half disnked,
him. Rather land more accurately
all half.liked and half.hated him.
Before he started up the stairs he
paused IN instant at the parlor door
and looked upon the singers.
Come on in-tho waters incl"
called Miss Harding joeulaYiy.
Captain Hanska returned no answer.
one Of his sardonic g1bes
was On his lips, but he let It die there.
And he turned away.
HE can certainly be . crouch when
he wants TO-" said Miss Harding. as
though apologizing to the young men.
"F1erce!" 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.
osnitton.
Mrs. Moore did not leave the par
lor, she testified afterward. until Mr..
Lawrence Wade called. asking for
Captain Hanska. As on previous oc-
casions, 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
ory 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
tain Hanska's room on the third floor.
What is it," he growled. as she
knocked.
"Mr. Wade to see you," she replied.
She remembered afterward that he
paused for an instant before he an
though some one were moving about.
1--WE gone to bed" he said after
pause where is he? Down-stairs?"
Eyes, sir"
Then show him up" said the Cap
tain, "but say I've gone to bed"
Mrs. Moore turned back to summon
Mr.. Wade: as she did 20, Mr.. Estrilla
came down from tho door above.
"Oh, good evening. Mr.. Nstrillai"
said Mrs. Moore. did your sister"
Just then the voice Of, Captain Han.
ska broke in from behind the door.
''wait q minute. Ask Mr.. Wade II
he minds my not getting up. I've .
cold and I've taken some medicine"
VERY well. Captain" replied Mrs.
Moore. Estrilla, eeeing that she was
went on downstairs to the
front door.
This narrative has gone. so far.
from the point Of Wow Of Mrs. Moore.
We will shit now to Miss Harding,
for time let her mind hs the crystal
Of our thought. 4 moment bsfcro Mn.
Moore came back aud told Mr.. Wade
that Captain HanskS wsS!S zee liz,
Mr.. Estrilla appeared ct the door Of
the parlor. Although they he'd sssn
but little Of him ct Mrs. Moore's, he
Was popular for Q Latin lightnees OF
lsnDseament, . chesreul and winAilg
Iaila, Q linbis Wit which lost notAin9
bsssass Of his quaint aoesnt. and ",