The Opelousas courier., 1899-09-30

| PCu t1A VI SAuPC, AN NV
Of which, he remembered we'll now,
had seemed to him strangely penet:at'
ing. Anatole searched in his poke
book and took therefrom the letter
and flower in question, which lie
showed to the savant.
"Without doubt" exclaimed the
doctor, ':it is the Pyramenensis Indica
the fatal flower, the flower OF
death"
500 you really think 500"
II am sure of it"
"But it is not possible. l am only
rs years old. I feel myself full Of life
and health"
"When did you open that fatal let
ter?"
cat 9 o'clock this morning"
"Well, tomorrow morning at the
same hour, indeed at the same mo-
ment, you will feel a sharp anguish
at the heart, and it will oe all over
with you"
"And do you not know any remedy,
any means Of"
"None," said the doctor, and hiding
his face in his hands he sank back
ward in an armchair, choked with
grief.
From the emotion displayed by his
old friend, Anatole realized that there
was no hope. He departed in a dazed
manner.
With beads of cold perspiration on
his brow and his thoughts confused,
Anatole moved along unconscious of
what was passing sro1ad him and not
even suspecting that the streets were
becoming deserted. He wandered a
long time thus, but at last, coming to
a bench, he sat down.
The rest did him good. Until then
he had been like a man who had been
struck on the head with a club. The
effects Of the shock were disappearing,
and he began now to collect his yagrant
"My plight" thought he, sis that
of a person condemned to death. Yet
I can still hope for mercy. BY the
way, how much longer have I to live?"
Il loOACu Ut LIS NdtCu.
"It lacks three hours Of morning.
It is time I was in bed. I go to bed,
indeed! To devote the last sad hours
of my life to sleep! No. I can GER
do better than that. But, what?
Parbleu! I have it. I will draw up
my last will and testament"
A restaurant which remained open
oil night was near by. A~natole en-
tered and sat down.
"Waiter, q cup of coffee and a bottle
of ink"
He took a sip and looked at his
writing paper, rejecting: "To whom
shall I leave my 5000 francs income?
I have neither father mol mother-a
fact which is lucky for them. And
among the persons who interest me I
can think only of one--Nicette."
Nicette was n of his forty-second
cousins, a charming young girl of 10
years, with fair tresses and large, black
eyes. Like himself she was an orphan.
and this community of fate had long
ago established a bond of sympathy
between them. His will was speedily
drawn up. He left everything to
Nicette.
"Poor Nicette," thought he. "Her
guardian, who knows little of the
world excepth his class, which he teaches
play on brass instruments at the
conservatory, has bethought himself
20 promise her hand to a brute. a sort |
bully, whom she detests, because
loves another, as she has avowed
% me, although with r%eticence and an
air. Who is this happy
Mortal? But he must be, HQstfy OF
Ter, since she has fixed her affecion
him. Good, gentle. comely ind
Nicette deserves an idla al
husband. All, how we'll would Size |
suited me for a wife. It is al
Infamous tyranny to spoil her life BIZ,
living her to a brute. But why sl ouId
not be Nicette's champion? Ithave
aid it now, and tomorrow morning I
will begin to act. But tomorrow
morning it will be too late. Now is
he time to begin, if at oil. The. hour
a little NAL q propos to see people,
nut rs [ shall be dead in five hours 1
lon't a a sou for conventionalities.
les, I'll do tiny life for Nicette."
1t was 4 O'Clock in the morning
shen Anatole rang the bell at the
of Nicette's guardian. NJ. Bou-
ard. Badly frightened and wearing
lis night-cap, he answered the door.
us the house on fire?"
"No, my dear NJ. Bousard," replied
l~natole, Il have come for a chat"
"At this hour?"
Il am at all hours pleased to see
'ou; but you are not dressed, NJ. Bou-
ard. Are you going back to bed
gain?'
That's what I am going to do.
'ut-I suppose monsieur, that to dis
1rb me in this manner you must have
onething very important to say to
le."
Very important, NJ. Bousard. It is
ecessary that you give up your plan
! marrying my cousin Nicette to NJ.
Never. monsieur, never"
But say, yes"
Monsieur, my resolution is taken,
marriage will take Place"
TT will not"