The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-10-22

"The doctor nodded to me as he went
down the steps from the hotel, smiling
as if anticipating triumph for his art.
Monsieur said voice at my ell
bow. turned, and saw my friend the
landlord, Monsieur knows said he,
smiling sourly, that Austrian count who
was going to be so brave9 Who had no
fears for sicknessl Well, that so brave
man, he also is now frightened-he has
gone, monsieurl He went early this
morning, making excuses, but he could
not deceive mel he was frightened.
He tried to joke; he said he could not
sleep; that he had heard all night the
ticking in the wall, which, he said.
means death.
"'That is an English superstition, too,
said
"'Bahr said the innkeeper, with con-
centrated scorn; these are not times for
such foolish superstitions. Monsieur
has no such foolish fancies?
81 laughed. All, monsieur is brave!
Look. The Austrian's room is that very
room monsieur wished to have when he
| -
cier, and is perhaps my best room.
Monsieur thought he would prefer one
less expensive on the floor above Mon
sieur remembers? Well, courage de-
serves to be rewarded. Monsieur shall
have tho room for the same price as the
one he has now.
81 thanked my friend, the landlord
,s.o1,, N I ho1
The view was superb. 1t was nearer the
dining and smoking room-in every way
u great Improvement on the one was
occupying
"Can have it oncer asked.
"Oh, certainly! OF course monsieur
knows the landlord went on slowly
and looking little doubtfully at me,
that it is the room next to the sick
room where that old man is lying illl
ii laughed, and think the expression
of my face reassured the landlord as to
my being completely Indifferent to such
matters, for he went on:
"'Monsieur is mani The room is
ready and at your disposal
He was going away, but came back
quickly Only monsieur will pardon
me for reminding him that the doctor
has ordered that no noise shall be made
near the sickroom He says the old
mans life depends on his sleeping quiet
ly. 1t would be better, perhaps, not to
move monsieur's luggage down till the
| evening.
"Of course assented; but feeling de
sirous of seeing my new and much COW
eted possession, and feeling sure of my
ability to enter it without making any
noise, went up stairs, quietly stole
down the corridor, and entered the
room without possibility of my having
been heard. 1t was n large, bright
cheerful apartment in the older part OF
the hotel. 1t was wainscoted, witt
oak panels. The window was large
and, as have mentioned before, com
manded one of the most exquisite view,
to be found in Switzerland.
81 looked around the room with ;
sense of satisfaction. | have told you
am observant Of my fellow creatures;
am not less SO Of inanimate objects,
have an eye in such matters detective
might envy. | soon saw mark OF cut
in the wainscoting on one side of the
room. 1t was so small that believe
many men might have passed days il
the room without noticing it. am al
inquistive man, and | at once went tC
it and examined it. 1t was chink il
the wood; stopped and looked through
The whole of the interior of the sick
room was visible. Three silent figure
were the occupants. On the bed lay tn,
old man sleeping, his gray hairs on The
pillow; at the side knelt in prayer hi
blind daughter; behind the daughter
close behind-was the wife. She alone
seemed living. She was drawing stealth
ily-oh, so stealthily and slowly-a small
round table laden with jugs and medi
j cine bottles across the floor
cat first | did not realize what sht
was doing. | knew she had every motive
to be silent in her movements, but
caught sight Of her face! 1t was tn,
face of devill Never was eyes 81
hideously expressive Of murderous hate
In fash understood it all.
"She was moving the table to a posi-
ton such that the slightest movement 9
the kneeling figure Of the blind daugt
ter, praying FOR her fathers life, woul
hurl it and it's fragile burden to Il
ground.
81 dare say you think am callol
sort OF fellow, but | assure you WI
horror struck. ewould have give
worlds to warn the poor child, but lne
not how. To have called out woul
, have been as fatal as the catastrophe j
self.
81 felt stupefied-paralyzed. The ell
J came before my swimming brain coul
find any way to help. The poor gil
= rose, her hands still clasped. saw til
| table reel, and as |, sick with horror
, withdrew my eyes ! heard the crasl
t followed by piercing shriek"--
3 Menken paused. "Give me the whisky
> old chap. Thanks.
"Did he die!' ! asked
4 .He was as dead as if you had fired