The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1913-12-11
CHAPTER o.
The Boarders.

tuC opdt0CsWs
Regarding the events of that rainy
autumn evening at Mrs. Moore's
clearinghouse 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 the great event.
they were trivial 1t was the reflected
tight OF the tragedy which gave them
their Importance.
Most of the. boarders remained inr
doors. since it was too wet in the
early evening for faring outsof-doors
with comfort. After dinner. Miss
Harding and Miss Jones. stenogra-
piers. who shared a room-and-alcove
on the second floor, entertained COM
pany' in the parlor on the ground
fioor--two young office-mates who fig
are but dimly in this tale. These call
ers came at eight O'Clock. A few min
utes Eater Professor. Noll joined them,
Professor NOll was diet .delusionist.
the assistant editor of a realth-food
magazine. He lived on the third floor
across the hall from Captain Hanska.
NAAOS uAh6 ahu NIAoc OOhC0 hoN
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
core. and they all sang r the foolish
ephemerai songs OF the picture-shews.r
Mrs. Moore stood in the hasi for a;
time. listening. Once or twice she left
momentariiy, to look after towels, fur.
nace-heat and other housewifely cares.
One of these tours took her to the top
of theqhouse., where Miss lEssciila, the
lady. sick with weak eyes. lived in a
half-darkened room. She was new
conner, this. Miss Estrilla, and not yet
we'll enough to take her meals in the
dining Miss Estrilla's brother.
8 slim. mercurial little Latin with an
entertaining trick of the tongue. was
reading to her by shaded lamp. as
he often did Of evenings. When Mrs.
Moore reioined the others. they were
singing tuli-voice. ss.1sst
r On che stairs Mrs. Moore met Cap
tain Faflska passing up from his late
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 (and more accurately
all half-!iked and half-hated him
Before he started up the stairs he
paused an instant at the parlor door
AID looked upon the singers.
Come on in-the waters fne!"
called Miss Harding jocularly.
Captain Hanska returned no answer.
Apparently one OF his sardonic gibes
was on his lips. but he let it die there.
sand he turned away. j. 3vs 49,
He can certainly be crouch when
he wants TO-" Said Miss Harding, as
though apologizing 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
1gnition
Mrs Moore did not leave the par
Tor. she testified afterward. until Mr..
lawrence Wade called. asking for
Captain Hanska. AS on previous &C.
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 ftp" he growled, as she
knocked
Mr. Wade to see you," she replied.
She remembered afterward that he
paused for an instant before he an
swered; also she heard a rustling as
though some one were moving about.
I've gone to bed" he said after a
pause. Where is he? Downstairs ?"
Yes, sir"
Then show him up" said the Cap
tain. but say I've gone to bed"
go AIRS: Moore. turned back to summon
Mr. Wade: IS she did SO, Mr.. Estrilla
came down from the floor above.
"Oh. good evening, Mr.. Estrilla!"
said Mrs. Moore. did your sister"
Jdst then the voice OF Captain Han
ska broke in from behind the door.
Wait a minute. Ask Mr.. Wade IL
ne minds my not getting up. I've a
cold and I've taken some medicine"
Very well, Captain" replied Mrs.
Moore. Estrilla, seeing that she was
engaged, went on downstairs to the
front door.
;. s7g4isa narrative has gone, SO far.
from the point of view of Mrs. Moore