Evening star., 1895-07-29

"Oh, yes, SIRE" La Trape moaned.
What do you feel?'
81 have a trembling in all my limbs. and
ah-ah. my God, am a dead man! I have
| burning here-a pain like hot Goals in my
vitalsr' And, leaning against the wall, tpe
unfortunate man clasped his arms around
his body and bent himself up and down
in paroxysm of suffering.
"a doctor! a doctor!' Henry cried, thrust
ing one leg out of bed. Send for Du Lau-
Iensv Then, as 1 went to the door to dc
r sTry| "a" you S'cA' n''1' A "''
mo, no; it Is impossible
But try. try! When did this cat die?"
1T is outside La Trape groaned. He
could say no more.
I had opened the door by this time, and
found the attendants, whom the mans
cries had alarmed. in cluster round 1t.
Slencng them sterrly, 1 bade one go for
NJ. Du Laurens, the kings physician, while
another brought me the cat that was dead
The page who had spent the night in the
kings chamber fetched it. I told 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 nearten him: now telling him to tickle
his throat with feather, and now watch
ing his sufferngs.in silence, with face of
gloom and despondency that sufficiently be-
trayed his reflections. At sight of the
page, however, carrying the dead cat, he
turned briskly. and we both examined the
eyes and uncovered teeth. was not a sight
to cheer any one, much less the stricken
man. La Trape, however seemed to be
scarcely aware of its presence. He had
sunk upon a chest which stood against the
wall, and, with his body strangely twisted
was muttering prayers. while he rocked
himself to and fro INCREASINGLY.
It's stiff the king said in i low voice
1t has been dead some hours."
"Since midnight" 1 muttered.
Pardon, SIRE the page. who was hold
ing the cat, said: II saw 1T after midnight.
1t was alive then
"You saw it," I exclaimed How?
Where?"
Here, your excellency." the boy answer
ed. quailing little
what? In this rcom?"
"Yes. exceIency. I heard a noise about
l think about 2 o'clock-and his majesty
a cat splitting. 1t frightened me. and rose
from my pallet and went round the bed. l
was just in time to see the cat jump down.
From the bed?'
Yes, your eXcellencv. From his ma
jestys chest, ] think"
Are you sure that it was this eat?"
Yes, sire: for as soon it was on the
| floor it began to writhe and roll and bite
itself. with all its fur end, like mad
cat. Then it flew to the door ard tried to
get out, and again began to spit furiously.
1 thought that it would awaken the king
and let it ONT
And then the king did awaken
He was just awaking, your excellency."
ven, S-re, II said, smiling, this ac-
counts, I think for your dream of the
house that fell. and the beam that lay on
your chest
1t would have been difficult to say wheth-
er at this the kirg locked more foolish or
mere relieved. Whichever the sentiment
he entertained, however. it was quickly cut
|'short by a lamentahle cry that drove the
blood from our cheeks. La Trape was in
snethef pafoNysm Oh, the poor man.!
Henry cried.
Il suppose that tie cas came in unseen"
I said, with him last night, and then stay
Doubtless"
aud aud was seized With paroxysm here?"
Snch as he has hew.' Henry answered:
as he has rewr' he repeated. 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
Pc rish before our eyes"
Patience. sire" I said. He will come"
But in the meantime the man dies"
No. Eo." said, going to La Trape, and
touching mis- hand Yet he is very cold"
And turning. sent the page to hasten the
doctor Then l 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" l said.
No. he shall not gor he answered.
FFentre Saint Girls! man. he is dying for
me. He is dying in my place. He shall die
here"
Still OIL satisfied, 1 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 sup-
porting his head. and two or three of NV
gentlemen, who had come in unbidden,
were looking on with scared faces
went to the poor fellows side and asked
what could do for him.
Il am dying!" he muttered, turning I'D
his eyes. ''rhe doctor! the doctor9'
/ feared that he was pa ssing. but bade
him have courage. I'm a moment he will
be here" I said: while the king in d.strac-
tion sent messenger on messenger.
He will come too late" the sinking man
answered. 'Excellency:"'
Yes, my good fellow" 1 said, stopping
that might hear the better.
Il took ten pistoles yesterday from a
man to get him scullion's place; and
there is none vacant"
ut is forgiven said. to soothe him.
And your excellencys favorite hound,
Diane he gasped She had three pup
pies. not two. I sold the other"
well. 1t is forgiven. my friend. It Is
forgiven. Be easy 1 said, kindly.
'Ah, have been villain" he groaned.
II have lived loosely. Only last night l
kissed the buffers weneh, and"
BE easy. be easy" l said. Here is the
doctor. He will save you yet"
CTo be continued Tuesday,
Funeral of James c. PilIing.
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