The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-30
opyright 1895 by Irving Bacheller.l

apply to you. You are always well
come"
II have been longing to see you.
prince" | answered. "lt is some time
now since We met. But l am afraid
/ YOU are not quite so well as | should
like To see you"
| We'll no. | am not so young as |
was, and the long journey has knocked
me out. Besides | am tormented with
my old enemy. neuralgia in the face
, There, take that fateuil. You won't
mind my finishing letter l know. and
then can release my amanuensis."
l had noticed the amanuensis as I
entered the room. and Ii had puzzled
me TO define his exact position socially.
He was young man-about 30, as |
judged-neatly and quietly dressed but
he did not seem to he quite what we
in England call a gentleman. This sur
pr!sed me, as the princes secretaries
We're generally men of aristocratic
birth. | noticed also. that when the
prince resumed the dictation which my
entrance had interrupted. the amanu-
ensis bent his head very close to the
paper as II he We're shprt-s!ghted.
1t did not take long To finish the let
ter, When it was done the prince said:
THANK YOU, Maubeucc: | need not
keep YOU any longer; | shall not want
yea again before 10
The young man got up. bowed to the
prince ana 70 me. and left the room
with nCiseless step.
My new factotum." said the prince,
when the door had closed behind him,
and perfect treasure"
Il thought | did not remember him"
l said
NO; | had Francois when you vera
with me last, but Francois was Gaul
OF the Gauls. He was always signing
for his beloved France and finding ev-
cry ether country triste in compari-
son. So at last | had 10 let him return
home When he went though would
get valet who could do little writ
ing for ME sometimes. Francois was
no good at that. Ass!s sous and a six
sous We're the same To him as far as
spelling went. OF course, one has ONES
secretaries, but only at stated hours
Besides, there are letters il is not
necessary that secretaries should see.
And am now quite unable 10 write a
line myself. owing to this gOut in my
hand. So find Maubeuse very useful
nct so good valet as Francois. but far
superior in other ways. And with no
home-sickns S.. He is a Belgian not a
F'renchman. And he is really well edu-
Gated so that. altogether he suits me
admirably. But what am | thinking
of, 10 chatter in this way. instead Of
asking You about yourself? No need
10 inquire after your health-your
looks are sufficient. But how have You
been getting on? Tell me all about
yourself"
There was not much to tell. The
prince knew already that my father
was dead, and that had succeeded to
the family estates. Nor did | wish to
prolong the conversation, for | could
See that the prince needed rest. So af-
ter a few minutes more | rose to so.
We'll" he said. Il will not try to de-
tain you now. for We shall have, I
hope, many opportunities of meeting.
You must come and see me whenever
you can. Au plaisir. And now for a
nap"
As he spoke. ne took up a white silk
handkerchief that lay beside him on
the couch, shook it out. and poured
over it some liquid from a bottle on
the table. As he did so the smell of
chloroform diffused itself through the
room.
Il can get no sleep without it," said
the prince, catching my look. Don't
be alarmed. IL Is not a habit: it Is
only temporary resource whilst the
neuralgia troubles me-"