The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1892-05-27

duty by the family. and IL you like to come
back for me after, / don't mind taking you
to the Duchess's. What, not of yet, Nico-
las?" IS that gentleman appeared arrayed in
one OF those amazing coats that some for
eigners patronizs for travelling.
"Can assist" he asked in his little Off.
cious way.
So he and together conveyed the picture
to the room In which it was to hang, and,
leaning it against the wall, stood discussing
it for few minutes. Then he discreetly re-
tired while the Princess, with some gracious
words, placed in my hands check for three
hundred pounds-a welcome sight in those
years of scarcity. She offered to take me in
her carriage as far as our ways laid together.
She was to go with the two Miss Bosworths
to the opera, and had to d,,e with them first.
went back to the studio to bid good-byeto
Ferenda, whom found crouching over the
stove, declaring him>alf stiff with sitting,
while the ever-obliging Nicolas, on his knees,
blew the fire to a red-hot glow.
.Stay and have cigar" he said; "I'ye
Just opened a fresh box. Take one"
declined, and directly after that the Prin-
cess, looking like the White Cat this time in
her furs, came tripping up to hurry me. l
shook hands with Ferenda, and she nodded
gayly, then, mo-ed by some impulse, rushed
back to him, and taking his face between her
hands kissed his forehead twice.
He stood up to his full height, out of her
reach, half vcXcd, half laughing.
what now, Hersilie? You are coming
back to me? You will see me again?"
when come back, "and without Mother
word she darted down the stairs and was
Iuriol in thn Iapths nf fl,o ro rt,i l,ar bnnd
over her face, when joined her.
"Give me match, Nicolas,' the Prince
had commanded in his usual impcrious man
ner, and Nicolas obeyed promptly.
That was the last glimpse had of them
then. Prince Fcrendia, standing erect and
stately, his face illumined by the sputterng,
flaming light which the other held, and Nico-
las looking up at him with an amia6le smile
curving his gray mustache and the light of
the match twinkling back from his specta-
cles. He closed the door on me as l left the
room, and the picture vanished.
That night an experience so singular hap
pened to me that hardly know how to de-
scribe it. I woke about midnight with
sudden start, followed by a horrible choked
feeling that made me struggle violently 10
raise myself and to try to tear scmething-I
knew not what-from my face and throat,
but was powerless; my arms were held at
the elbow by an invisible bond and l was
too stupelied to realize where was or what
was happening to me, except that must
die. l grasped and strove, but in a dull,
dizzy fashion, and then at last the whole
world seemed reeling with me, and slid off
the solid ground into a great sea of blackness
and peace. Then, with a tingling shiver, 1
woke-myself again. l sprang up to find
Jack Morris watching me-
"What were you shouting 'Helpv for like
that?"
told him.
~ have been dreaming, too. Come alongw
was all he said, helping me to dress with all
speed, and we both descended through the
sleeping house and stepped ont into the
clear, wet shining streets. Without another
word between us we made straight for the
Ferendias' house. AT no great distance from
1t we had to cross one of the principal main
thoroughfares, alive and busy even at this
hour, so that the sight of acab, stopping to
pick up gentleman, need not have attract
ed any special attention. 1t made me stop,
however, and lay my hand on Morrls's arm.
lie saw it. too, and drew me back into the
shadow of building The light from a gas
lamp shone full into tho cab window. and
glanced for second on the glasses of a pair
of speCtacleS and the curl of q gray mus
tache
Not on board the Ostend boat!'I said.
where has he been?"
Jack only responded by quckening his
steps, and few more brought us in front of
the house. There We're lights in some of the
windows and was about to ring, when Nor
lis stopped me and gently tried the door. 1t
opened readily, and we entered. The table
was laid for supper in the dining room, but
there was no sign of any one about. With
out further question or hesitation we ran up
stairs straight to the studio. The key was
outside the door, but it was not locked. Be-
fore l couldturn it a brcathless servant came
rushing up after us.
"Wc have come TO supper with the Prince.
said Morris cooly; 'hasn't he come in yet?"
'Beg your pardon. Sir" said the man, re-
rognizing me. 81 had only just stepped
across the road with letter to the post. 1
hadn't left the house minute. The Prince
has not come in yet, Sir" Before he had
half concluded his apology had turned the
handle and opened the door. The room was
! close and the air felt heavy, though the will
dow was wide open and the stove black.
That was all | saw at first by the light that
strcamcd in from the landing; the next mo-
ment the man clutched my arm with jerk
that nearly ovcrset me. 1.-The Princew he
whispered, and we all stood still and looked
at him. He sat in All easy attitude in the
chair in which ! had painted him, his elbow
resting on the table His head, leaning back
and turned slightly upward was supported
on his hand the other hand dropped beside
him, a half-smoked cigarette between two
of the fingers. His eyes seemed to watch lis
l,,le 81.
that was all; and yet stepped forward and
with shaking hand touched his cheek It
was warm, yet no breath or pulsation stirred
his frame. | moved the candle before his
face: still that fixed, CLASSY stare.
Look thcrew whispered Jack, pointing
/ to tleclk of hlOod-stained frOth OIL the heavy
mustache. "Ring the bell! Rouse the housed
And you," to the footman, run for a doctor
at oncew
While lie ran out to the landing we tried
to change the position of the body, loosened
the collar and tie, and cllafed the stitfening
fingers, but each effort only made it palmer
| that it was hopeless task. The household
gathered, clamorous and bewidered, and a
doctor appeared rs by magic--then another,
and another. TOO latev" the first had said,
and none Of the others disputed the sentence.
| We had laid him ON the low stage that had
been put up for the sittings, with a cushion
under his handsome head, and the doctor had
| just risen from his last fruitleSs ministra-
tions when the crowd around the doorway
stirred and parted, and the Princess in her
floating laces and sparkling gems rushed for
ward and flung herself upon the dead body.
"Therell be an inquest" said uncom-
! fortably as we walked home together that
night. Shall we have to appear? Suppose
the circumstances are considered suspicious,
it'll be an awkward position, eh, JACKIE
"There'll be no inquest, and the circun-
stances will not be considered in the least
suspicious" he replied confidently. "Do you