The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-01-13

shal,c VI tlc hoso us seen Ill pr0lile, was
partially corrected by the genial and
humor-loving curves of tho mouth. Mr..
Theodore spoke in somewhat llorid
though nicely balanced tones, which lie
could shift with admirable art so as TO
harmonic them with those of the per.
son to whom he addressed himself. lie
turned from the contemplation of his
person on hearing the arrival of his
first guest.
AT II quarter after midnight supper
was served. 1t was q rare meal. The
host had been traveller in many
lands. and was happy and YER
satilc story-tellcr. He told tales, which
his talent for mimicry sllarpcncd TO the
point of wit, of the theatres of the
East; of sitting cross-lcggcd in the
rushcs OH the floor of the playhouse of
Japan; of taking surrcptitious lessons
in Nautch from the f,vorite dancer of
a Maharajah; ho sang II comic son q
from an Indian FARGO which was very
much like an Indian dirge: and sub.
sequently performed the all but incrod-
iblc feat of condcnsing into half u
dozen sentences tho plot of 4 Chinese
tragedy which had occupied Il month
| III representation.
In jest and anccdotc the guests
matched their host featly. Think of the
genius and talent OF tho London stare
concentrated round u supper table. each
man of them an actor who stood in the
eye of the public, the star of his par.
ticu!ar theatre. 4 trained humorist, Il
Theatre Mesmer able at will do dissolve
i'll tears or freeze with horror IN entire
audience. y great dcclaimer. at
poorest magnificent Apollo for whom
countless ladies nightly sighed them
selves to sleep. Fired by good wine,
and tho desire 10 please. each guest
poured forth his best, and the host by
cxhortation and example melted his
friends TO fresh cndcav0r. Hin the blithc
way they heightened out tic hours. and
tho great gilt clock in the hall c!imcd
llalf-past two. "Dimmick," said MIR.
Theodore to his butler, "you nav 90 to
bed" Mr. D;mmick gratefully made
his bow and retired.
He had scarcely closed the door upon
himself when Mr.. Theodore noticed
that the liqucurs had not been served.
He mentioned the circumstance to his
guests. with M apology. and added:
''By your leave, gentlemen, Ill serve
the liqucur myself" He rose, and
crossed to the sidcboard where. amid a
noble array of glasses and tlagons Of
all sizes and shapes, stood the two bot
ties containing the new lqucur- brandy.
II should rather like your judgement
on y liqueur-branly have here, mcn-
tlemen." said Mr.. Theodore: ii have
not tasted it myself. but il comes 10 me
with Il high recommendation. lie
took up one of the bottles US he spoke,
and was already drawing the cork.
That done. he touched the mouth Of the
bottle with 4 clean napkin, aud then
made the round of the table, filling each
glass as he passed. Coming to his own
place at the top. lie poured out with a
flourish the half-glass which was all
that remained of the pale golden fluid.
Now. gentlemcn!' Before l fulfill
my promise. your judgments all. if YOU
please" exclaimed Mr.. Theodore. lift
ing his own glass in challenge to his
guests. Every ono at the table raised
and drank Off his glass. Mr.. Theodore
alone paused for moment. to note the
first expression Oh tho faces of his
friends.
What horrid sound was that? A
crash of fallen glass, followed b.
groans and the cries of men in agony.
Mute and stiff with horror, the host
clutched with both hands ut the table,
and stared before and around him.
In the first stage of fear man 8
strength is often trcblcd; in the last
stage, when fear is no longer fear. but
has merged in sheer rcsistless terror,
the muscles become rs Jelly, and tho
body sinks an inert mass to the ground.
BY desperate exertion of will the
master of the house saved himself from
this state of utter liclplessncss, but
more he could not do. His tongue was
riven against his palate; he stood
specchlcss and stared out of his eyes
grown almost vacant? What was it
that he glarel ut?
Was it death, or but q vision of
death? The jest was scarcely dry on
these mems lips; did they counterfeit,
dissolution as 4 better Jest than all?
No! Death had them all in his grip;
they were dying in most cruel torment!
One by one, as his convulsive struggles
ceased. each guest fell down, atllwart.
alongside, or beneath tho table; aud
still the miserable host stood there.
rigid and gray with fright, and watched
the CHASTITY play.
His brain was melting; his head grew
like 10 burst; madness would have
seized him next. He wrcnche.l himself
together. and staggered towards the
door. The bell-ropc was close against
it; lie caught at ii, and fearful peal
| echoed thrOIlp OH tha houcn
A few moments elapsed, in which it
seemed to the wretchcd creatures
that all eternity was exhausted;
Of feet pattcring quickly along
an upper corridor, down the stairs, and
across the hall. He, meanwhile, had
scratched a line i'll pencil Oh tho back
of q visiting card, and this he thrust into
the hands of the first servant who ap-
preached him. "Tallc it, and run," he
said hoarscly: "Dr r [naming the
first physician in the town.. $50 as If
the devil himself were ut your heels
And you. this" he said to another, to
whom he gave n card for his own ply
sici;n, who lived hard by. "rhe rest
to bed again ~ He had now regainetl
some nerve, but stood ashcn white on
the threshold of the dining-room. bar
ring all entrance there.
Through tho silent streets. whtcn-
ing with the dawn. two carriages were
presently driving at full speed in one
direction. Tho master of the house
went out to meet tho doctors, and led
them 10 the room of death. But it was
too late. The play was played out.
Each of those merry guests had been
q dead man for half an hour. At noon
the tragedy was known throughout the
city. 1t was Sunday. and when the
church bells rang for evening service
it was like the tolling for u national
funeral.
Here Mr.. Theodore finished his story,
and his guests, one and all, looked
askance at tho glasses they had just
cmpticd.
.:But is it true ?" asked one n.
length.
absolutely" replied Mr.. Theodore.
"rhe affair occurred ut just such hap
pv midnight symposium as this OF ours.
There was poison in the last bottle
opened, and it slew tho whole COM
panv in the horrible manner I have de-
| ScribrI fO Won. Tho host alone Inv /,