The Dickinson press., 1896-10-10
A Nights Work.
You are a dead man." said the doc.

ONAAS = 0oSuAC SOuS SAAAAAGAGu
Anatole.
Think well; recall all your actions.
What have you eaten, drunk and in-
haled:'
This last word startled Anatole. That
very morning he had received a letter
from Il friend who was travelling about
India. In this letter was a flower
plucscd on the borders Of the Gauges,
q red flower of peculiar shape, whose
perfume he now distinctly remembered
was strangely penetrating. Drawing
the letter from his pocket he showed
Its contents to the savant.
mo more doubtv!' exclaimed the lat
ter; 1T is the t~yramencsis indica-the
flower Of death!"
rs it possible"
Alas! l am certain of it,!
"Oh, no, it cannot be. Look, I am
full of life and health"
lat what time did you open the
fatal letter." lat 8 O'Clock. this morn
ing"
Tomorrow morning, then, at the
same hour, at the same minute, full
of health though you are, as you claim
you will feel u certain pain at your
heart and in o moment all will be
over"
"And do you know no remedy, no
means tO--?"
"None," said the doctor, sinking in a
chair, overcome with grief.
On seeing the emotion of his old
friend Anatcle realized he was indeed
doomed and he rushed out like a mad
man. He walked mechanically in the
ling along like n dazed by q heavy
| h1nw MT nntioirr %hof tho otroofs uyoro
getting more deserted, until Re finally
sank on some steps thoroughly exhaust
ed. After q little rest he attempted
to gather his wandering thoughts.
MY situation is that of one con-
demned to death-and how long have I
to live?"
He looked at his watch.
Three o'clock. Better 60 to bed.
Go to bed7 Spend in sleep the last six
hours Of my life. I ought to have
something to do before l leave. Why,
certainly. My will!'
Entering an all-night restaurant Ana
tole called:
waiter, a bottle of champagne and
a bottle of lux"
After refreshing himself he said:
six thousand pounds income! No
father nor mother, happily for them. I
see but II person in whom 1 have an
interest-Nicette!"
Nicette was a distant cousin, n
charming girl of eighteen, with blonde
hair and large black eyes. Like him,
she was alone In the world and that
had established a bond Of sympathy
between them. His last will was
go to Nicette. Then he drank q second
glass of champagne.
Poor Nicette," he thought, "she was
quite sad the last time I saw her. Her
guardian, whose knowledge Of the
world is restricted to his class of wind
instruments ut the conservatory, had
promised her hand to some brute of a
clown whom she despised. She hates
him all the more since she loves some
one else, as far as I could make out
from her words full of reticence and
shyness. Who can that happy indi-
vidual be? Worthy he must be or she
had not chosen him.
Beautiful, good. sweet and loving
Nicette deserves the best of husbands.
ALI! is she not the wife l would have
chosen If. 1t is an infamy to force
her in this marriase-I will be her
chevalier and free her from this injus-
tice. Tomorrow I will but to-mor-
row will be too late. l must ask now,
at once. 1t is somewhat early to call
to see people now, but when l think
that in five hours l will be a dead
man, what do I care for propriety?
Come, my life for Nicette!!
1t was 4 o'clock in the morning when
Anatole rang at the door Of Nicette's
guardian, NJ. Bouvard, who, in his
night cap, opened the door.
rs the house on fire?" he growled.
"No, sir, 1t is only a CALL"
cat this hour?"
"All hours are the same to me; but
60 back to bed, Sir, you'll take cold"
"That's what I intend to do. What
important business brings you here,
sir?:"
"a very important affair; 1 want you
to desist marrying my cousin to that
Capdenac."
"sir, that marriage is arranged and
will take place."
ut will not take place."
"We'l see. And now you have m
answer, l will not detain voc"
"'That is not very kind; but I am in.
dulgent as well as persistent, Mr.. Bou-
ward. | will forgive your rudeness
and will remain"
Remember, If you will, I consider
you as gone and have no more to say"
Mr.. Bouvard turned his back, but
suddenly jumped up roaring at Ana.
tole, who was blowing with all his
might in one Of the professors instru-
ments.
"My trombone, sir! Presented by my
pupils! Let so, sir"
Consider you as departed, sir, and
am beguiling the tedious moments
waiting for VO1lr return
stop, l say! My landlady allows
no practicing. She cannot love music
as I do"
II beg of you, stopw
do you consent, then?"
"What do you mean?"
"You must give up this marriage"
mi. Capdenac has my word"
promise me that If I make him
give up my cousin will be Free"
IF you can do that, yes"
"Where does he live"
"No. 100 Rue des Deem-Epees."
eau revoir," cried Aantole, hastily
leaving Bouvard.
1t was 6 o'clock when he arrived at
NJ. Caplenac's.
"Who is there?" called a rough voice
through the door.
"Open. I have a message from NJ.
Bouvard."
The noise of three different keys in
rs many Jocks were heard.
"A very prudent man." thought Ana
tole: At last the door opened.
Mr.. Capdenac's roms were literally
hung With arms Of all kinds, yatd-
ghans. poisoned arrows, pistols aud
swords. a veritable arsenal. This alone
was enough to make a timid soul quail.
Sir" said Anatole, you wish to
marry Miss Nicette. 1t must not be!'
"And who will prevent it,"
II will"
Capdenac looked at Anatole, who,
though not very large, seemed a de-
termincd man.
"Ah. young man, you are very lucky
to find me in a kind mood. 10 you
know that, out Of the twenty duels
: boast. five of my adyersafies ,voro