The daily sentinel., 1899-03-06
NEARLY DEAD.

manned i'll for 20 days in great peril from
fever.
1t was 10 o'clock and he wished to move,
but to his amaZement and horror found
himself, as 1t We're, frozen to the bed, as II
clad in an armor of stone. He tried to cry
aloud His voice stuck in his throat-vox
faucibus bnst. He was seized with
agony. His mind ragged, but his physique
was immovable.
catalepsy. In living death he watched the
scenes which followed. The door opened,
and Nine. Cardean, his nurse, his good,
faithful domestic, entered on tiptoe. Mme
Cardelan approached the woman who
watched and who was sleeping at the foot
Of the bed the sleep of tired innocence.
"Come, Nine Vermilloni Wake upi.'
Nine. Vermillon awoke.
'Ah my dear, you send me to sleep too
late, and your brandy makes ones sleep
benvy."
"Yes, yes, our little soiree passed very
well. Well, let's see If our gentleman has
come to his senses"
The two Yomen drew near.
"Ahl' cried Nine. Verminon. "He II
dead
Hearing this sentence Raymond tried to
protest. but, horrible to tell, he could
stants of stupor the two women regained
their wits.
"Ah, SO much the worsei'' exclaimed
Nine. Vermillon. II reckoned on making
a month of 1t here
''Oh, what would you have, my deari"
replied the other. "For my part I'm glad
to have 1t over and done with. He'd have
ended by wearing us all out. Didn't tell
your There's the sagar gone and the can
die. The wines nearly out, and what
there was needed for him all the time, and
liqueurs for the physician. II he had only
died last week, could have made my
profit out of him for all that he has had.
Well, help me to fix up IA little till his un-
ole comes.'
NImo. Car1elan was hardly at the door
when there entered Ninie, a very intimate
friend of the invalid. She was a very
handsome friend, with large black eyes
Hearing her enter the young man expected
to see her die of grief
''How is it going on?" she said to the
wntching nurse
"It doesn't go at all," replied the
woman.
Mimic turned pale. put her handkerchief
to her eyes and tried to weep. "Has he
made his willy" said she.
" You know, nam 'selle, that could hard
ly he at his ago.
Mimic said nothing. She knelt by the
bedside and he heard her murmur:
If he had only paid me- up my quar-.
teri"
AT this instant great noise was heard.
1t was Nj. and Mime. Pivot, uncle and
aunt, natural heirs of Raymond, with
their son Anatole. Seeing them enter, the
three women burst into agonies of tears
Mile Mimic uttered piercing cries, and
Mime. Cardelan was i'll when the tumult
had little subsidized.
NJ. Aratole Pivot, an intimate friend of
Raymond, approached Mile. Ninie, With
whom he had an excellent understanding
"Who is the young person?' said the ia
tber Pivot.
There was a silence, and he surmised
the truth. Approaching the girl, he said:
This is not your place, mademoieelle." +"
"Ah, sir, l came to learn how he was,
but assure you was only friend of his.
Indeed lately even lent him little sum- "
"Come and soc me. will arrange al.
that" said Anatole, smiling, as a man
who understands all.
And Miss Ninie departed, making many
low bows.
well, Mt last we are alonel'' cried An.
atole. 'Let us take an inventory
The heirs seized on all the precious OBJ
jeets, rakod into and upset everything.
Suddenly the door opened and beautiful
and modest young girl entered.
1t was young work girl who lived op-
posite Mr.. Raymond, and with whom he
had had that acquaintance simply founded
on neighborhood and politeness which is
often established between those who live
on opposite sides of the same court
She entered sad and excited
" Then it Is true, ;" she exclaimed. "Poor
young mani Dead?'
Miss Eugenia," said young Pivot, who
had sometimes met the girl In going to
his friend. "Ah, remeinberl Raymond
Thought great deal of you."
The young girl blushed.
If you wish for souvenir Of the d.
ceased" continued the young man,
"choose"
Uncle and Aunt Pivot looked extremely
indignant.
Tho young girl, stupefled, looked around.
This photograph, said she, sis his por-
trait"
Tho Pivots smiled while Eugenia went
and knelt near Raymond's bed, weeping
In silence
But ut this instant-was IL love or nA-
ture-the leaden sleep which weighed upon
Raymond suddenly vanished. and he ex-
claimed in distinct but feeble voice, 10
the aniazement of all:
Dear, good Eugenia, they thought l
was dead, but they were deceived, for I
heard every thing, and have seen nothing
servants, rapacous relatives, false friends
.,.,s-