Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-07-05
THE EATAL FLO WEI.

TIIE F,ATAL RIO WEE.
'You are dead man" said the doctor
looking fixedly at Anatole.
Anatole was astounded.
He had come TO spend the evening will
his old friend, Doctor Bardias, the illustri
Gus savant, whose studies of poisonou,
plants had made him famous. 1t was not
his fame, however, which attracted Ana.
tole to the doctor, but his nobility of heart
and almost paternal kindness. And now,
suddenly, without any preparation, the
young man heard this terrific prognostica
ton from the lips Of 50 great an authority
Unhappy boy continued the doctor
what have you done /"
Nothing that / know Of =" stammered
Anatole.
Think. Tell me what you have drunk
what you have eaten, what you have in-
hailed"
The last words were like ray Of light
to Anatole. That very morning he had re-
ceived letter from a friend who was trav-
cling in India. In this letter he found a
Hover which the tourist had plucked on
the banks of the Ganges, an odd looking
| little red flower, whose odor he remember
ed, seemed tO him to he strangely impun-
gent. Anatole looked in his breast pocket
aud took therefrom the flower which he
showed to the savant
There is not a doubt !" exclaimed the
doctor. at is the Pyrumenensis hidicd,
the fatal flower, the flower Of blood ~
"You really think so -
Alas | am certain
" But it is not possible that it should
prove fatal to me. | am only u years old,
am strong aud in the best Of health"
AT what hour did you open this fatal
letter -
AT o'clock this morning
well, to morrow morning, at the same
hour, at the same minute, in full health, as
you say, you will feel a peculiar pain in
your heart, aud that will end all
And you know Of no remedy, no means
Of"
None, said the doctor.
Then, clasping his head in his hands, the
savant fell into a chair, overcome with
grief.
The emotion Of his old friend convinced
Anatole that he was indeed doomed lie
! departed at once he was almost insane
A cold sweat ON his forehead, his ideas
confused walking mechanically, Anatole
went forth into the night, unconscious of
what was passing about him For a long
time he walked thus, then coming to a
bench he sat Gown.
This rest did him good Up to that mo-
ment he had been like man who had sud
denly received n 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, ''is like that
of man condemned to death Such a
person, however, can still hope for mercy.
But how long have | to live y
He looked at his watch.
Three o'clock in the morning 1t is
time to go to bed What go to bed
Give to sleep the last six hours of my life
No. | have certainly something better
than that to do. But what Why l have
my will to make"
Not far away was restaurant which
was open all night Thither Anatole went.
Water, bring me bottle of cham
pagne and bottle of ink, - he said as he
seated himself at table
He drank glass of champagne, and look
ing at the paper lying ON the table before
him, said to himself
ITO whom shall | leave my income of
three thousand francs | have neither
father nor mother. Among the people in
whom | am interested there is only one To
whom ! care to leave my money-Nicette. "
Nicette was Anatole's second cousin, a
charming girl of eighteen years, having
golden hair and large dark eyes Like him
she was an orphan, and this similar be
reavement had long since established bond
of sympathy between them.
His will was quickly drawn up. He left
everything to Nicette.
This done, he drank second glass of
champagne.
Poor Nicette :" he thought, 'she was
very sad the last time | saw her Her
guardian, who knows nothing beyond the
wind instruments which he teaches pupils
of the conservatory to play, did not dc
right in promising her hand to brute, a
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 embarrassment Who is this
happy mortal | know not but lie is GER
tainly worthy of her since she has chosen
him. Good sweet, beautiful, loving Nj
cette deserves the best of husbands All
if she might have been my wife 1t is
outrageous to force her to marry man
she hates, To ruin her life by intrusting
such treasure to a brute. But why may
not be Nicette's champion | will be.
will undertake the matter to morrow morn
ing. But 10 morrow will he too late
must act at once. 1t is an unreasonable
hour TO see people, but As | shall die in five
hours | cannot consider their convenience
1t is decided My life for Nicette !"
Anatole left the restaurant and hastened
to the house of NJ Bouvard, the guardian
of Nicette.
1t was o'clock in the morning when he
rang the bell Once, twice, three times he
rang, At last NJ. Bouvard himself aston
ished, his night cap on his head, opened
the door.
What's the matter !" he asked. 81,
there fire Z"
"No, my dear NJ. Bouvard," replied An
atole. II have come to call on you"
AT this hour I"
"Al hours are good in which one can set
you, NJ. Bouvard. But you are in youI
night clothes YOU had better return u
bed
That is what am going to do" Anc
then leading Anatole to his chamber, h,
continued But | suppose, since you hav,
aroused me at this hour, that you hav,
something important 10 say TO me. "
Every important 1t is necessary NJ
Bouvard. that YOU should give up the idei
Of marrying my cousin Nicette to NJ. Cap
denac."
'Nevel never my resolution is taken
this marriage shall take place"
1T shall not take place"
"Well, we shall see And now that yol
have my answer, | will not detain yo,
longer"
"You are not very amiable this morning
NJ. Bouvard. But | am not offended, anC
as | am persevering, | remain"
Stay if you will. l, however, shall i'm
agine that you have departed and shal
say no more" Then turning away NJ
Bouvard muttered WHO ever heard o
such thing To disturb peaceable man
rouse him from his sleep to talk about sucl
nonsense !"
Suddenly NJ. Bouvard jumped into bed
Anatole got the professors trombone, il
which he blew as though a deaf persoI
were trying to play it. The sounds emit
ted were Internal.
"My precious trombone the gift of my
pupils" exclaimed the professor. Leave
that instrument alone"
IN. Bouvard," replied Anatole, "you
have imagined that | have departed
imagine that you are absent, aud | anus
myself while waiting your return" Then
after blowing furiously in the trombone, h
exclaimed "Ah, what beautiful note ~
you will cause my landlord 10 give m
notice to leave the house He will not 10
me play ON the trombone after midnight
''Ah, the man has no music in his soul 4
Again the trombone thundered
For heavens sake, stop"
'Do you consent I"
"To what :"
"To give up the idea of this marriage,
ttIltf 1 do that -