The morning call., 1891-04-05

But Josephine's mind was made up. All
these dread warnings had been SO often re-
peated, so often uinned into her and the
servants ears, that they had lost all their
terr0rS. She pushed the door open. and,
withdrawing the key, locked herself in.
The peculiar od0T of the place made 1t hard
for her to breathe. She took no note Of the
long rows of tubes and walls and almost
spectral array of chemical apparatus. Plac-
ing her taper on the professors desk she at
unce began her work in the pIgeOn-h0leS.
Letter after letter, with mourning bands,
was hastily examined. Nothing but receipts
and business notes met her troubled gaze.
She began 10 feel that she had wfODged
her husband. A fit of trembling came
upon her and in replacing package of let
tiers the lace of her sleeve caught on the end
of a tiny tube tilted against frame and
threw it on the floor. 1t broke into pieces
and its contents escaped. Josephine made
haste to gather up the largest bits Uf glass
and to throw them into the CRATE. Then,
sopping up the liquid with her haDdker-
chief. she turned nd made her way out OF
the laboratory. As she reached the head of
the stairway a strange sinking feeling came
over her. Her LIMBS bent under her, and
had she not chung to the railing she must
have toppled over headlung. Suddenly a
strong arm was passed around her waist. 1t
was Theresa.
" Merciful heaven, madame" exclaimed
death. What has happened to your Let
me get you downstairs to bed as quick as
possible" Half-carrying. half-draggiBg the
stricken woman along, Theresa succeeded in
throwing her mistress on the bed, and began
at once tn apply restoratives. Josephine
opened her eyes and looked wildly about
her; then, pressing her clenched hands
against her cOnvulSively heaving bosom,
she gasped out:
Quick, Theresa, quickl Summon the
professor. He's at bis club and DIR. Pellet,
toor'
the place indicated, aud in few moments
the two men came rushing breathlessly into
the house. Theresa met them at the door.
Ion. professor, our lady is very III. 1t
came upon her so suddenly, like thunder
boltr
Galen Grubb- Filkens turned pale. BY the
time the great scientist and his friend, Dir.
Pellet, reached Jesephine's bedside her face
had taken on purple hue, her hands and
feet were icy cold, and the pupils of her
eyes extremely dIlated.
"Jose phine! Josephine!" exclaimed the
professor i'll tone OF deep feeling.
=" Dearest" she whispered, as she gasped
piteousiy for breath, forgive me for all
the trouble and vexation / have caused you.
l know-Pm going to die-it's all my own
fault was rash enough"
"Oh. Josephine, what do you meant" re-
IL.
lyon know-I-the Inferno-your labora-
tory ,,, g.. o,,
Let me know all y pleaded the agonized
husband.
She could not reply; terrible convulsion
had closed her lips.
Josephine, beloved wife," entreated the
professor, covering her cold hands with his
kisses, !" let me know all; speak. oh, speak
to met" But though the stricken woman S
lips moved no sound came forth. 1t was
evident she had lost consciousness. Their
mometer in hand, Dr. Pellet had been care
fully noting the temperature of his patient,
and now as he sat with his fingers on her
pulse and his anxious gaze fastened in her
face, lie spoke for the first time. There
was solemnity in his voice that only too
plainly bespoke his dread of fatal ending
to the extraordinary malady that had com e
upon his friends wife.
We'll, Pelletp" whispered Grub Fill
kens.
"Ah, dear FRIEND" replied the physician,
what idiots are we when nature sets her
puzzles in front of usp
But, my dear Pellet" argued the profess
sor, what do you think? What have you
TO say, now that your examination is COM
pletedP"
The physician was silent. His fingers
were still on the stricken woman's pulse
and his face darkened at times as the stream
OF lie seemed to come 10 complete stand
still.
..In my Judgment" said he at last, "your
wife has been stricken with malady that
rarely shows itself in Europe. / refer to
the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of Dahomey"
The scientist drew long breath. Posi-
bly, his fears had all been premature, and for
moment the physicians calm and conf
dent manner drove a terrible suspense out
OF his mind.
"Yes." resumed Pellet. "it's the Kouss-
mi-Koussmi beyond all doubt All the