Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1889-06-07
THE FATAL FLOWER,

tor, looking iXcdly ut Anatolc.
Anatolc was astonishcd.
He had come to spend the evening with
his old friend, DIR. Bardais, the illustrious
savant, whose studies of poisonous plants
had made him famous. II was not his
fame, however, which attracted Anatolc
to the Doctor, but his nobility of heart
and almost paterna kindness. And now
suddenly, without any preparation, the
young man heard this terrific prognostica-
ton from the lips Of so great an author
ity.
''Unhappy boy" continued the Doctor
"what have you donc?n
''Nothing that know of. stommcrod
Anatolc.
"Think. Tell me what you have
drunk, what you have eaten, what YOU
have inhaled"
Tins last word was like n raw of LIGHT
TO Anatole. That very morning he had
received Il letter from friend who wns
travelling in India. In this letter he found
flower which the tourist had pl,lckcd
on the banks Of the Ganges, an odd-look-
ing little red Hover whose odor. he re-
meinbcrcd, seemed to him To be STRANGELY
purgnant. Anatolc looked in his pocket-
book and took therefrom the letter and
the flower which he showed to tbc
Tavant
"Ihcre is not doubt" exclaimed the
Doctor. at is the Pyramcncnsis Indicol
the fatal flower of blood!n
"You really think sop
'Alasl | am certain"
"But it is not possible that it should
prove fatal to me. am only twenty-five
years old, am strong and in the best of
health"
cat what hour did you open this fatal
letter."
-'At O'Clock this morning."
"Wcll, tomorrow morning, ut the
same hour, at the same minute, in full
health, as you say, you will feel II peculiar
pain in your heart, and that will end all :"
''And you know of no remedy, no
means Of"
"Nonc," said the Doctor.
Then, clasping his head in his hands.
the savant fell into chair, overcome with
grief.
The emotion of his old friend convinced
Anatolc that he was indeed doomed He
departed at once; he was almost insane.
A cold sweat on his forehead, his ideas
confused, walking mechanically, Anatolc
went forth into the night, unconscious of
what was passing about him. For long
time he walked thus, then, coming to a
bench, he sat down.
This rest did him good. Up to that
moment he had been like man who has
suddenly received severe blow ON the
head. AT last, however, his mind seemed
to clear, and he began to gather his scat
tered ideas.
"NIy situation" he thought. sis like
that OF Il man condemned to death. Such
person, however, can still hope for
mercy. But how long have / to livc?"
Hc looked at his watch.
"Three o'clock in the morning. II &c
time to go to bed. What | 20 to bcd9
give to sleep the last six hours of nv life ?
No. have certainly something better
than that to do, But what? WHY. 7
have my viii to make"
Not far away was restaurant which
was open all night. Thither Anatolc
went.
"Waiter, bring me pot of coffee and
bottle of ink" he said, MS he seated
himself Mt n table.
He drank cup of coffee and, looking
at the paper lying on the table before
him, said
ITO whom shall leave my income of
81, oo0 francss have neither father nor
mother. Among the people in whom I
am interested there is only one to whom
care to leave my money-Nicette.
Nicette was Anatole's second cousin. n
charming girl of eighteen years, having
golden hair and large dark eyes. Like
INN she was an orphan, and this similar
bereavement had long since established n
bond of sympathy between them.
His will was quickly drawn I'M. Hc
left everything to Nicette.
That done, he drank ii second Gun nj
coffee. -
''Poor Nicettel" he thought, "she was
very sad the last time saw her. Her
guardian, who knows nothing beyond the
wind instruments which he teaches pupil,
OF the Conservatory to play, did not dc
rignt IN promising her hand to a brute, q
bully, whom she detests. She detests
him all the more because she loves some.
one else, if have able to understand he,
Ieticence and her embarrassment. Win
is TINS happy mortal2 know not. but
ne Is certainly worthy of her since sb,
mas chosen him. Good, sweet, beautiful
loving, Nicette deserves the best OF hus.
bands. ALL if she might have been m,
wifcl 1t is outrageous to force her ~
marry man she hates, to ruin her life by
entrusting such treasure to the care of :
Drate. But why may not 1 be Nicette,s