Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-25


 noved out of my hiding place, and the doc tor, pelceiving me, started slightly, and again thought the sick boys heavy eyelids Quivered and slightly unclosed! He was fol lowed by troop of dirty, savage looking servants, who chattered nosily in some gut tural tongue as they walked, until the priest turned and drowned them into silence.
 All excitement being now over, I lay down and endeavorcd to sleep, but my mind would not reSti so after tossing about uneasily for an hour or two. I rose and ran into my mother, and as was relating to her all had seen, the padrona knocked and anxiously craved an interview; and began long story, speaking so rapidly in Italian that could not understand her, but my mother, being a good lnguist, did, and was evidently deeply interested in what she heard; gradually. however, look of horror overspread her face, and finally pointing at me, she put her finger upon her lip, gesture which appraised me, of course, that something was going for ward which was not to know, and which equally of course, decided me upon discover ing what that something" was; so losing no time, ran to my maid Susette, who was ar ranging my room, and asked what had hap pened. At first she refused to tell me, in creasinS my curiosity a hundred fold, by adding tho padrona had begged her to be silent" Eventually the French woman's love of gossip got the upper hand and with many mods and winks and ''hushes," she contided to mo that the young prince was deadi
 "Dead!" gasped.
 "Yes, dead!" reiterated Susette. She then proceeded to say that the young man had been so ill during the journey, that the doc tor doubted his arriving alive, but the prince had such a longing to get to Florence that they hurried on The doctor insisted upon travelling alone with his patient (great care and quiet being indispensable; but when they arrived within few miles of Florence the prince was taken so suddenly worse. that tho carriages were stopped, and the doctor called in the priest, considering death immi- nent; the invalid lived, however, to be lifted into tho hotel, but as he was being carried through the marble hall, the doctor called out to the bearers to stop, and before tho poor fellow could be placed upon a couch he expired
 was too awe stricken to speak; but when my astonishment had in measure subsided, began to reason, and I said to Susette:
 "Who told you thisl"
 'The padrona," answered the maid.
 Did she sec it happen?"
 MO-" said Susette, ''for the princess begged the padrone and his wife to stay be- hind, and superintend tSs,e unloading of the carriages, so that tho princes luggage might be brought up at once. Tho dame de com pagn1o told tho padrona how it all occurred. and she told me"
 "Well" l exclaimed excitedly, lit is very odd story, for I saw the young prince's face twice, and he looked exactly the same both times, very pale and quiet, but not dead"
 "Hush Lady Muriel," whispered susette "do not speak so loud, for the padrona, in the hurry and distress of the arrival, did not mention to the princess that you were in this room; she told the doctor"-
 And what did he sayg' I asked quickly,
 He seemed put out at first, and said he feared the princess would be displeased. but when the padrona told him that you were only signorina,' he seemed satisfied"
 And you allowed me to stay all this time in room to which had no right" ex- claimed hotly (my dignity being hurt also, at being considered a nonentity). 'Row could you do so9 I shall go at once to mamma, and"-
 "Wait, Lady Muriel," interrupted Susette: Il will see the padrona, when she can attend to us; at present they are all in such trouble about the prince's deathn
 II do not believe he is dead, for as he passed me am almost sure he opened his eyes and looked at mer'
 Peoples eyes are often half open when they are dead," said Susette.
 May be" I argued; ''but people don't open their eyes after they are dead"
 "Ahl bahl" said Susette irritably, annoyed at her story being doubted, 'the prince is dead now, at all events, for stood by while you were lying down, and saw crosses, ta- pers, pictures and all kinds of things being carried into his room; and, the doctor saw me, and came up hastily to me and said he had not yet told the princess that you slept Ill that room, and that I had better keep it quiet at present Then he asked who you werei How old' Whether you slept alone9 and then he asked me to do him a favor. for he could not, he said, leave the room for moment himself, so would fetch one of the footmen, Ivan bv name, as he must tell him to go out and buy flowers for the death chamber; so fetched him, and on my return the doctor put n gold piece in my hand and said, as he could not speak Italian, he might want my help again,n would not answer Susette, and I told her to leave me, for was annoyed at getting mixed up with the Russians, angry too with the doctor for offering money to my maid, c. H. BRONSON