The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-07-27

shook hands with Fercndia, aud she nodded
gayly, then, moved by some impulse, rushed
back 10 him. and taking his face between her
hands kissed his forehead twice
lie stood up to his full height, out Of her
reach. half veXcd, half laughing
What now, IIerslie? You are coming
back TO mc2 You will see me again?'
"when come back, and without another
word she dartcd down the stairs and was
buried In the depths OF the carriage, her hood
over her face, when Joined her
"Give me a match, Nicolas" the Prince
had commanded In his usual impcrious man
ner, and Nicolas oheycd promptly
That was the last glimpse had Of them
then. Prince Fcrcndla, standing erect and
stately, his face illumincd by the sputtcring,
flaming light which hcoihcr held and Nlco-
las looking up at him with an amiablc smile
curvng hts gray mustache and the light OF
the match twinkling back from his specta-
clcs. lie closed the door on me as left the
room, and tho picture vanished.
That night an experience 50 singular hap
pened TO me that hardly know how 10 do
scribe II. woke about midnight with
sudden start, followed by horrible choked
feeling that made me struggle violently to
raise myself and 10 try to tear somethlng-I
knew not what-from my face and throat,
but was powerlcss; my arms were held at
the elbow by an invisible bond. and l was
too siupcfcd 10 realize where was or what
was happening 10 me, except that must
die. | gfnspcd and strovc, but In n dull
dizzy fashion, and then at last the whole
world seemed Keeling with me. and slid of
the solid ground into great sea Of blackncss
and peace. Then, with tingllng shiycr,
woke-mysclt again. | sprang up TO find
lack Morris watching me
"what were you shouting llclpH for like
thatg'
/ told him.
II have been dreaming, too Come alongT'
was all he said. helping me to dress with all
speed, and W. both descended through the
sleeping house and stepped out into the
clear, wet, shining streets. without another
word between us we made straight for the
forcndias house At no great distance from
It We had to cross one Of the principal main
thoroughfarcs. alive and busy even nj this
hour, 50 that the sight of a cab, stopping TO
| pick up a gentleman, need not have attract
ed any special attention. II made me stop,
however, and lay my hand on Morris's arm
| He saw It. too, aud drew me bnck into the
shadow OF building. The light from gas
lamp shone full into the cab window, and
glanced for a second on the glasses Of pair
OF spectacles and the curl Of gray mus
| tache.
"Not on board the Ostcud boatv' said.
| where has he beenY
Jack only responded by quickcnng his
steps, and few more brought MS In front OF
the house. There were lights In some Of tho
windows and | was about to ring, when Nor
ris stopped me aud gently tried the door II
opened readily, and We entered. The table
/ xtfnu 1ufN for In la
there was no sign Of any one about. With
out further question or hesitation we ran up
stairs straight to the studio The key was
outside the door but II WAS not locked. Be-
fore | could turn II a hreathless servant came
, rushing up after MS.
ave have come 10 supper with the Prince"
said Morris coolly; "hasn't no come In yetP"
"Beg your pardon Sir" said the man, re-
cognZing me. II had only Just stepped
across the road with n letter To the post. |
| hadn't left the house minute. The Prince
has not come In yet, Sir" Before he had
| half concluded his apology had turned the
handle and opened the door. The room was
close and the air felt heavy, though the win
dow was wide open and The stove black.
That was all saw Mt first by the Hight that
streamed In from the landing; the next mo-
ment the man cu,ched my arm with jerk
that nearly ovcrsct me. The PrinceW he
whispered and we all stood still and looked
at him. lie sat In an easy attitude in the
chair in which had painted him, his elbow
resting on the table. His head leaning back
and turned slightly upward, was supported
on his hand; the other hand dropped beside
him, half-smokcd cigarette between two
of the fingers His eyes seemed to watch rs
oddly from under his half-clOsed eyellds-
| hat l. ND vat afn ri otafI
with a shaking hand touched his cheek. II
was warm, yet no breath or pulsation stirred
his frame moved the candle before his
face; still that fixed, CLASSY stare.
Look thercw whispered Jack, pointing
To a ilcclI of bloOd-stained frOth on the heavy
mustache "Ring the belll Rouse the house
And YOU" 10 the fOOtman, run for doctor
at oncep'
While he ran out 10 the landing we tried
TO change the position of the body, loosened
the collar and tie and chafcd the stiitcning
fingers, but each effort only made II palmer
that II was hopeless task. The household
gathered, clamOrous and bcwlldered, and Q
doctor appeared as by magc-thcn another
and another. TOO latol" the first had said
and none of the others disputed tlescntence
We had laid him ON the low stage that had
been put up for the slttings, with a cushion
under his handsome head, and the doctor had
lust risen from his last fruitlcss minlstra
tions when the crowd around the doorway
stirred and parted, and the Princess In hel
floating laces and sparkling gems rushed for
ward and flung herself upon the dead body
"Therell be an inquest" | said uncOm
fortaby as we walked home together that
night. "Shall we have to appear? Suppose
the circumstances are considered suspicious
It'll be an awkward position, eh, Jackp"
"rhere'll be no inquest and the clrcum
stances will not be considered In the leas
suspicious" he replied confidently. DO yol
think they do not know better how to man
age than that? Prince Ferendla will be foun,
TO have died decently and In order, you MAJ
rest assured. Why notp If l happen Il
know what had been burning IN that stov,
not many hours ago, and If | guess what NJ
Nicolas's last errand TO that house has been
do You think | am fool enough TO say so
No one else can tell. You have been paint
Ing man with the rope round his neck
told you so. Now hold your tongue for tn
rest of your days, If you would be wise"
The event justified his predictions, an,
week later we stood together beside
newly filled grave In Il quiet country church
yard, near the home of his family.
"Poor Laurlep sighed Jack. Il though
they'd have given him a longer tcthcr. Tn
end was bound to come, and dare say h
well deserved II, but ! couldn't help llkinl
I him."
"Hiush p ! whispered. 1.-THE PrincessP
A blnck-shroudcd and yelled figure drey