The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-07-29

him to bring it in, and ordering the
others to let the doctor pass when he
arrived, I closed the door upon their
curiosity, and went back to the king.
He had left his bed and was standing
near La Trape, endeavoring to hearten
him; now telling him to tickle his throat
with a feather and now watching his
sufferings in silence, with face OF
gloom and desyondency that sufficiently
betrayed his reflections. At sight Of
the page however carrying the dead
cat. he turned briskly. and we both ex-
amined the beast which, already rigid,
with staring eyes and uncovered teeth.
was not a sight to cheer anyone. much
less the stricken man. La Trape, how
ever, seemed to be scarcely aware Of
its presence. He had sunk upon a chest
which stood against tie wall, and,
with his body strangely twisted, was
muttering prayers. while he rocked him
self to and fro increasingly.
IT'S stiff" the king said in low
voice. ut has been dead some hours"
"Since midnight" I muttered.
Pardon. sire" the page. who was
holding the cat, said: Il saw it after
midnight. 1t was alive then"
You saw itr I exclaimed. How?
Where?"
Here, your exceilency," the boy an
swered, quailing little.
What? In this room?"
"Yes, excellency. / heard noise
about-I think about o'clock-and his
majesty breathing very heavily. 1t was
a noise like a cat splitting. 1t fright
ened me, and rose from my pallet and
went around the bed. I was just in
time to see the cat jump down."
From the bed?'
Yes, your excellsncy. From his
| majesty's chest, think"
Are you sure that it was this cat?"
Yes, sire; FOR as soon as 1t was on
| the floor it began to writhe and roll and
| bite ITSELF with all its fur on end, like
| a mad cat Then 1t flew 10 the door
| and tried to get out, and again began
to spit furiously. I thought that 1t
| would awaken the king, and / let 1t
out"
And then the king did awake?"
| "He was just awaking. your excel
| lency"
well, sire" said, smiling. this ac-
house that fell, and the beam that lay
on your chest"
| 1t would have been difficult to say
whether at this the king looked more
| foolish or more relieved. Whichever
the sentiment he entertained, however.
it was quickly cut short by 1ament-
able cry that drove the blood from our
| cheeks. La Trape was in another par
oxysm. "Oh, the poor man" Henry
cried.
| II suppose that the cat came in un-
seem" said, with him last night. and
then stayed in the room?"
| Doubtless"
| And was seized with a paroxysm
here?"
| "Such az he has noww Henry an
| swered; for La Trape had fallen to the
floor. "Such as he has now" he re-
| peated. his eyes flaming, his face pale.
"Oh. my friend. this Is too much. Those
who do these things are devils, not men.
Where Is Du Laurens? Where IL the
doctor? He will perish before our
eyes"
Patience. SIRE" ! said. "He will
come"
But In the meantime the man dies"
mo, no." I said, going to La Trape.
and touching his hand. "Yet, ne Is
very cold" And turning, cent the
page to hasten the doctor. Then
begged the King to allow me to have
the man conveyed into another room.
His sufferings distress you, sire, and
you do him no good" said.
mo, he shall not gow he answered.
"ventre Saint Girls! man, he Is dying
for me! He is dying in my place. He
shall die here"
Still M satisfied, was about to press
him farther, when La Trape raised his
voice. and feebly asked for me. A page
who had taken the others place was
supporting his head, and two or three
of my gentlemen, who had come in un.
hidden. were looking on with scared
faces. went to the poor fellow'e side
and asked what could do for him.
II am dyingv he muttered, turning
up his eyes. ''The doctor! the doctorr
| I feared that he was passing. but
bade him have courage. "In q moment
he WIN be here" said; while the kim
in distraction sent messenger ON me
eenger.
"fIe will come too late" the sinking
man answered. "Eucellsncyt