Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-04-17
From the Epoch.
THE FATAL FLOWER.


Anatole was astounded.
He had come to spend the evening
with his old friend, DR.. Bardais, the il
lustrious savant, whose studies Of
poisonous plants had made him famous.
It was not his fame, however, which at
tracted Anatole to the doctor, but his
nobility OF heart and almost paternal
kindness. And now, suddenly, with
out any preparation, the young man
heard this terrific representation from
the lips ofso great an authority.
Unhappy boy" continued the doctor,
what have you done ?"
Nothing that know off, stammered
Anatole.
''Think. Tell me what you have
drunk, what you have eaten, what you
have inhaled"
This last word was like a ray of light
to Anatole. That very morning he had
received letter from friend who was
travelling 10 India. In this letter he had
found flower which the tourist had
plucked on the banks of the Ganges, an
odd looking little red flower, whose
odor, he remembered, seemed to him
to be strangely puneent. Anatole
looked in his pocketbook and took
thereirom the letter and the flower
which he showed to the savant.
There is not doubs u exclaimed
the doctor. at is the Pyramedensis
Indica the fatal flower of blood I"
''You really think sc ?''
"Alas / am certain
but it is not possible that it should
prove fatal to me. l am only 25 years
old am strong and in the best OF health"
AT what hour lid you open this fatal
letter."
''At 9 o'clock this morning"
''Well, tomorrow morning, at the
same hour, at the same minute, in full
health, as you say, you will feel a pecu-
liar pain in your heart, and that will
end all.
"And you know of no remedy. no
None" saidthe doctor.
Then, clasping his head in his hands,
the savant fell into chair. overcome
with grief.
The emotion Of his old friend con-
WINGED Anatole that he was indeed
doomed. He departed at once; he was
almost insane.
A cold sweat on his forehead, his
ideas confused, walking mechanically,
Anatole went forth into the night, I'M
conscious of what was passing about
him. For long time he walked thus;
then, coming to bench, he sat down.
This rest did him good. Up to that
moment he had been like man who
has suddenly received a severe blow on
the head. At last, however, his mind
seemed to clear, and he began to gather
his scattered ideas.
my situatIon," he thought, lis like
that of man condemned to death.
Such person, however, can still hope
for mercy. But how long have [ to
live ?"
He looked at his watch.
Three O'Clock in the morning. It is
time to go to bed. What! I go to bed?
give to sleep the last six hours of nv
life? No. [ have certainly something
better than that to do. But what?
Why, nave my will to make"
Not far way was a restaurant which
was open all night. Thither Anatole
went.
waiter, bring me a bottle of cham
payne and bottle of ink" he said, as
ne seated himself at the table.
He drank glass of champagne and,
looking at the paper lying on the table
before MN, SAID TO himself:
ITO whom shall leave my income of
30, 900 francs? I have neither father nor
mother. Among the people in whom [
whom | care to leave my money
Nicette."
Nicette was Anatole's second cousin,
a charming girl of Is years, having
golden hair and large dark eyes. Like
him she was an orphan, and this SINH
lar bereavement had long since estab-
ished a bond of sympathy between
hem.
His will was quickly drawn up. He
left everything to Nicette
That done, he drank a second glass of
champagne.
"Poor Nicette p he thought. she was
very sad the last time [ saw her. Her
guardian, who knows nothing beyond
TIE WIND instruments which he teaches
pupils of the Conservatory to play. did
not do right in promising her hand to
brute, bully, whom she detests. She
detests him all the more because she
loves some one else, if | have been
able to understand her reticence and
her embarrassment. Who is this hap
by mortal? | know not, but he is GER
tainlv worthy OF her since she has
chosen him. Good, sweet. beautiful,
loving Nicette deserves the best of hus-
bands. All if she might have been
my wife 1t Is outrageous to force her
to marry man she hates, to ruin her
life by entrusting such a treasure to the
care of brute. But why may I not be
Nicette's champion? [ will be. I will
undertake the matter tomorrow morn
ing. But tomorrow will be too late; /
must act at once. 1t is an unreasonable
hour to see people, but as | shall die in
FIVE hours | cannot consider the con-
venience. 1t is decided My life for
Nicette ~
Anatole left the restaurant and has
tened to the house of III. Bouvard, the
guardian of Nicette.
1t was four o'clock in the morning
when he rang the bell. Once, twice,
three times he rang. At last M. Bou-
ward himself, astonished. his night cap
on his head. opened the door.
whats the matter?" he asked. 'Is
there fre?"
"No. nv dear nj. Bouvard," replied
Anatole. | have come to call on YOU"
At this hour?"
"Ail hours are good in which one can
see YOU. NJ. Bouyard. But YOU are in