The National tribune., 1892-12-15

thought simultaneously:
"Why does he ask me question like that
He hopes, perhaps that lung congestion is
doubtless hereditary, and that i will die first,
the rascal. lie need not plume himself, now
ever; wishes do not kill, and if one is only
prudent =
The pin-scratch. in short, had become an
oren wound, and the heirs so impatient ut the
slow passage o! time that they were mentally
weighing the risk of crimiuslly fastening the
coming OF the ineritance.
All day long, then, they watched each other
suspiciously, and nursed their bad thoughts
and all night long rolled in the agony of a
nightmare wherein the deed was done, or do
ing The pin-scratch had become well-de-
vcloped homicilal mania.
Really, it would be too stupid" Routabel
told himself, TO permit that rascal, Babolene, to
cut my throat like a throttled sheop."
He means me mischief; see it plainly.
that rascal Routabel," Babolene told himself /;
land -forewarned forearmed-to prevent
his doing IT,"
To which end Bahoene announced genially
next morning at breakfast, that in his opinion
they lived ton shut-up life.
Exactly. too shut up entirely" Routabel
approved we should Rnuse ourselves and go
out more"
THE sooner tho better
And they Immediately delivered themselves
to an uninterrupted fete.
"OHe things certain, he'll never stand this, y
Raboleno and Routabel thought mutually. as
they drank and drank, one against the other,
til both returned home maudlin and hiccough-
ing and in r state lamentable to behold.
One night they come out from q tavern to
find it pouring freezing rain.
ITEMS" stammered Rou! label "Pvc lost
my umbrella"
"Par tonnerre! T. too" suffered Babo-
Ia,, tn he lnr, SIN bia6. p
home absolutely certain. each one, that after
this he w0uld be seriously i'll, but content and
happy in the hope that the other would be
iller still. hope that was realized in mutu-
ally severe bronchial attacks, from which they
were cured not without difficulty.
Decidedly this was personally too risky a
method of iisposing of the enemy; they must
find some other way. And under pretext OF
Rverting the danger, they treacberous!y pushed
each other undor the hoofs OF horses and
against the poles of moving carriages, and were
about to go TO the length of proposing canoe
ing party but luckily remem bered in timc
that they were equally ignorant OF the manly
sport and art OF swimming.
81 could throttle him willingly" thought
Baboleae and Routabel; and then. all of sud-
den their fevorcd perturbation of spirit seemed
to leave them, and they became apparently
tranquil.
One morning as they sat facing each other at
table, and lunch was drawing to close, Rout-
abel lifted the carafe Of wine beside him, and
amiably preferred to fill Babolenes glass for
him.
mo, no, no, not any, thanks!" quickly de-
clared Babolene; pve pains in the stomach,
and will take only water this morning"
Only water" repeated Routabel, his face
Frightening with devilish joy.
Yes only water" and Pabolene served him
self with a trimming gobletful. Have a
glass, RoutRbel ?"
Nc. no. no. not any. thanks!" quickly de-
clared R0utabel; i" I'm feeling trife weak my
self, today, and will take instead only glass
of wine"
"Only wine" repeated Babolene; and his
face. in turn, beamed with devilish joy.
Yes, only wine" and Routabel poured him
self out an ample glasslul.
Profound silence followed. They ate smiled
at each other. but neither drank drop; wine
glass and -yatcTgiass alike stood untouched and
full at their elbow.
Dear Routabel!"
Dear BaboleneI"
They ate on and on always without drink
ing, but continuing TO smile at each other, to
strange shine in the eyes suspiciously like
moisture.
Poor Routabel!"
Poor Baboleue!"
lou do not drink"
Yes, yes, presently; ard your"
They seized the goblets AID lifted them
slowly towards their lips, all the while regard
ing each other over the rim. They did not
smile now; their lips shook nervously, their
hands trembled violently, their brows frowned
ominously, and then a double exclamation
breathlessly resounded:
Routabel Babolene! Stay, DO not drink"
They sprung TO their feet like devils on
springs; their glasses fell to tie floor. Siam.
mering. Mortified. they regarded each other.
What thou too"
81, too. yea"
'Poison-in the water"
"Arsenic--in the wiReI"
shameful"
"FrightfulI"
They fell in their chairs, mute, siren gthless
horror stricken, contemplating tho shame Of
their situation; equally Inundated, equally
terrified, equally unable to meet the eye of the
other, and then the tension suddenly relaxing
equally unable to keep from their lips shame
faced smile.
"Babolene."
"Routabel!"
ave another idea"
al, too, Rontabel; let's run -
"Yes yes, exactly! run -
"-to the Notary's and - This time
they spoke as with single voice:
tear up that damnable deed of dona.
ton! :"
And grass. assure you, did not grow under
their feet as they ran.