Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-10-25

don't Enow why-and I will not remain among them; will move into the box al once" Having thus lashed myself into a state of high wrath, burst out of my room into the passage, and to my unspeakable an noyance, ran up against tho priest, who with the princess) was standing at my door. I murmured, 'Pardonw and would have passed on. but the princess, looking amazed at my appearance, came forward and said civilly, 'Ahl pretty Lady Muriel, I heard l you were in the hotel; have you lost your wayf the galleries arc all so alike Shall conduct you back to your room2 Where do you sleepF'
 "Here, madane," 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 us! You are in the midst of much sorrow"
 "The young prince," I said awkwardly, ''how is heg
 "Ahl you do not know; he is dead, alasl"
 had not time to reply. for the priest, who had been watching me 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- self2"
 I hesitated-for had never seen death
 
 | princess, seeing my hesitation, took me firmly by the hand, and opening the door of her apartments, led me in.
 For moment l was perfectly dazed 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 dish; he looked steadily at me, and gently drew down the white coyerlet (which shrouded the whole hgurel from off the head and upper portion ot 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 crucifix which rested on the breast. I gazed tearfully at the pa thetio young face, which seemed hardly, if at all changed.
 ''How exquisite!" I sighed, land how quickly everything has been arranged! May l go nearer?'
 "Yes," answered the princess, 'but not within the lightsj but--how pale you arel You had better stay no longer"
 "Therc is such a strange, sweet smell, which rather overcomes me-"
 "Ah! from the violets and Cape jessamine; we can none of us stay in the room; but you are so pale! You must come away" Then putting her handkerchief up to her eyes, she added, He will be buried tomorrow: they bury so quickly here,n
 'Poor boy!" I ejaculated, and burst into tears
 "You will tell Mme h Comtesse," said the princess, "how calm, how happy he looks, hot fish doctor all through; he is here now, you see; and he will not leave Michaels room, even to eat.n
 l looked at the doctor as she spoke, and fancied l saw the ghost of a smile fit over his face, and not feeling kindly disposed to- ward him, said to myself, "Heartless like all the rest" then turning to the princess, said coldlyg
 II will tell my mother that I have seen you, madame, and your poor son, but" added hesitatingly, 'does he look calm and happy} Is there not-rather-a look of fear upon his facea"
 Tho princess answered shortly, Perhaps you havo never seen death before2"
 ''No, madame" I returned; ''but if all dead faces look as beautiful, as full of pathos as this one, why should people ever dread seeing them9" With this courtesied cere- mon1ously to the princess and left her, and after hastily dressing for drive joined my mother and related to her all had seen and heard My mother was rather startled when she heard my account; but seeing had sus- tained no nerve shock, she only said;
 Il hope, darling, the young man died of nothing infectiousr'
 "Oh, no, mamma; he has been i'll for Q long time; the princess told me so.n
 T wish she had not spoken to you, Muriel; ' hQ vcrn6 ti,o %ol ' about 1t for fear of alarming you, I hope tho room you sleep in is not next the prince's or you will be frightened"
 Tt takes great deal to alarm me- man. ma," said evasively 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 for coolness and courage, and felt sure, were I now to express a wish to change my room. 1t would be endangered; so, setting aside my dignity, deemed it best to leave the distri- button of the rooms as it was
 A short time afterwards we started on a sight seeing expedition, ana after a cozy little dinner and short rest on the balcony we re- tired for the night. I was quickly undressed, and after Susette had left me, as thought, for good, she returned, saying her room was so small, might she hang her bonnet and cloak, etc, in the recess within mine, which had been devoted to the carriage boxesi was still too put out with her either to object or agree to anything she might propose; in fact, felt that as long as she left me person ally in peace, she might hang herself up there on peg till the morning, without any let or hindrance from me So she did as she wished, and after replacing the portiere over the recess, she once more left me, this time locking my door on the outside and carving off the key. as my mother (rather against my wilD had desired her to do, for fear should forget to lock my door myself. Susette had also received orders to como to me once or twice during the night ia case I should re. quire anything. So now settled myself in bed, and tried to sleep, but in vain, for either from over fatigue, or excitement, or both, l was restless, uneasy, and tossed weariy from side to side After a while, however, gradually calmed down, becom- ing trowsy and confused; and all the sights and sounds had passed through during the day revisited me, but in misty, indistinct way, as though I saw and heard them through veil; half waking, half dreaming, strange fancies. interwoven with the impressions of the last few hours, haunted my pillow. First, was standing in the great marble hall, in the midst of which I saw a catafalque, surrounded by mass of light, and upon it lay the pale young prince, while at his feet crouched a spotted