The Ely miner., 1914-01-16
CHAPTER 1.
The Boarders.

The Boarders.
Regarding the events OF that rainy
autumn evening at Mrs. Moore's
clearinghouse in the far West Twen-
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
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 faring out-of-doors
with comfort. After dinner, Miss
Harding and Miss Jones, stenogra-
piers. who shared room-and-alcove
on the second floor. entertained com
pauy" In the parlor on the ground
fioor-two young office-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 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 a
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 eyes, lived In a
half-darkened room. She was a new
conner. this Miss Estrilla, and not yet
well enough to take her meals in the
dining-r0om. Miss Estrilla's brother,
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 rejoined the others. they were
singing fuli-voice.
On the stairs Mrs. Moore met Cap
tain Hanska passing up from his late
and solitary dinner. He was little
irregular about meals; and this eve
ming he had come in, demanding din
ner. after everything was cleared
away. Half the boarding house liked
Captain Hanska. and half disliked
him. Rather (and 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 fine!"
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.
And he turned away.
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 fight of stairs, his head
was bent and he gave no sign of rec
ognition.
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
fo tou Dnf
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
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 p"
Yes, 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 so, Mr. Estrilla
came 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.
wait minute. Ask Mr.. Wade II
he 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.
This narrative has gone, so far,
from the point of view of Mrs. Moore.