Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-24


 among them; will move into the box at once" Having thus dashed myself into a state of high wrath, I burst out of my room into the passage, and to my unspeakable an noyance, I ran up against the priest, who with the princess) was standing at my door. murmured, "Pardon!" and would have passed on, but the princess, looking amazed at my appearance, came forward and said civilly, "Ahl pretty Lady Muriel, I heard you were in the hotel; have you lost your wayl the galleries are all so alike. Shall I conduct you back to your room9 Where do you sleepf'
 "Here, madame" said rather defiantly, pointing to my room, determined to show that had nothing to hide.
 The lady looked surprised, but quickly re- covering herself said:
 "Ah! so near usi You are in the midst of much sorrow."
 ''The young prince," I said awkwardly, ''how is her.
 "Ahl you do not know; he is dead, alasr'
 I had not time to reply, for the priest, who had been watching mo intently, came for ward and whispered in the princess ear, upon which she said to me: "Would you like to see my poor son-your- selfr'
 hesitated-for had never seen death-- but I was curious, very curious, and the princess, seeing my hesitation, took me firmly by the hand, and opening the door of her apartments, led me in
 For moment I was perfectly dazcd at what met my sight. The room was large, and in utter darkness, except immediately round the couch upon which the dead prince lay, and there innumerable candles of all sizes were blazing like fiery barrier de lending him from the outer world. The doc tor was standing close to the body, burning some condiment, which he held in a dish; he looked steadily at me, and gently drew down the white coverlet (which shrouded the whole fgure) from off the head and upper portion of the body, so that might see the sad but | beautiful face, which was as white as the roses and camellias which surrounded it. The hair, eyebrows and eyelashes were very | black, and the pale, slender fingers were | lightly crossed over a crucif1x which rested on the breast. I gazed tearfully at the pa thetic young face, which seemed hardly, if at all, changed
 "How exquisite!" I sighed, land how quickly everything has been arranged! May go nearerf
 "Yes," answered the princess, ''but not within the lights; but-how pale you are You had better stay no longer"
 ''There is such strange, sweet smell, which 1 rather overcomes me-"
 "Ah! from the violetS and Cape jeSsamine we can none of us stay in the room; but you 1 are so pale! You must como away" Then 1 putting her handkerchief up to her eyes, she added, "Ho will basburied to-morrowi they bury so quickly here"
 "Poor boyr, I calculated, and burst into tears.
 ''You will tell Mme. la Comtesse," said the princess, "how calm, how happy he looks | fish doctor all through; he is here now, yor see; and he will not leave Michaers room even to eat.n
 I looked at the doctor as she spoke, anc fancied I saw tho ghost of a smile fit ovel his face, and not feeling kindly disposed to ward him, said to myself, "Heartless lkt all the resi-" then turning to the princess, said coldly:
 II will tell my mother that I have seer you, madame, and your poor son, but" added hesitatingly, "does he look calm ane | happy2 Is there not-rather-a look of feal upon his face"
 The princess answered shortly, "Perhap you have never seen death before2"
 ''No, madame" I returned; "but if al dead faces look as beautiful as full of patho as this one, why sl6uld people ever dread seeing them2" With this courtesied cere moniously to the princess and left her, ant after hastily dressing for drive, joined m, mother and related to her all I had seen ant heard. My mother was rather startled whel she heard my account; but seeing had sus tained no nerve shock, she only said:
 II hope, darling, the young man died o nothing infectiousa"
 'Oh, no, mamma; he has been ill for long time; the princess told me so."
 II wish she had not spoken to you, Muriel begged the padrona to tell you nothinl about it for fear of alarming you. I hop the room you sleep in is not next the prince's or you will be frightened"
 1t takes great deal to alarm me, mann lna," said evas1vely and with a contemptu ous laugh; so, after this conversation I re solved to say nothing about my wish to move for was foolishly vain of my reputation fo coolness and courage, and felt sure, were now to express a wish to change my room 1t would be endangered; so, setting aside m dignity, I deemed it best to leave the distr button of the rooms as it was.
 A short time afterwards we started on sight seeing expedition, and after cozy littl dinner and a short rest on the balcony we re tired for the night, Twas quickly undressed and after Susette had left me, as I thought for good, she returned saying her FOOT was so small, might she hang her bonnet an cloak, etc., in the recess within mine, whic had been devoted to the carriage boxes3 was still too put out with her either to objec or agree to anything she might propose; fact, felt that as long as she left me persor ally in peace, she might hang herself II there on peg till the morning, without an let or hindrance from me. So she did as sh wished, and after replacing the portiere owe the recess she once more left me, this tim locking my door on the outside and carryin off the key, as my mother rather against n wilD had desired her to do, for fear shoul forget to lock my door myself. Susette ha also recived orders to conH to me once twice during the night ia case I should r quire anything. So now settled myself bed, and tried to sleep, but in vain, fe either from over fatigue, or excitement both, was restless, uneasy, and tosse wearily from side to side, After a whil however, gradually calmed down, becon ing drowsy and confused; and all the sigh and sounds I had passed through during u day revisited me, but in misty, indistin, way, as though saw and heard them throug veil; half waking, half dreaming, stranf fancies, interwoven with the impressions the last few hours, haunted my pillow First, ! was standing in the great marb hall, in the midst of which I saw