The Coconino sun., 1901-08-17
SVOU are a dead mani" said the
 doctor, regarding Anatole fix


 nouncement. He had come to pass the evening with his old friend, Dr. Bar dais, the illustrious scholar, recog- niZed by all the world as an authority on poisonous substances. But Ana tole had learned to appreciate, more than all, the nobility of heart and fatherly kindness of the good old doctor, and now, without consideration or regard for his feelings he heard from his own lips this terrible prognostication.
 unfortunate child!" continued the doctor, what have you been doing?"
 Nothing that l know,' stammered Anatole, deeply troubled.
 Think! try to remember! Tell me what you have eaten, drank or in. haled?'
 This last word proved ray of light for Anatole. The same morning he had received letter from one of his friends who was touring in India. In the letter he found flower gathered from the bank of the Ganges by the voyager, red flower of fantastic shape, and the odor, he recalled now, was peculiarly penetrating. Anatole searched in his pocketbook and found the letter and the flower, which he showed to the learned man.
 Without doubt!" cried the doctor. Tt is the Pyramenensis Indica, the death flower, the flower of the blood!"
 You believe this truly?"
 ''I am positive of it."
 But it is not possible! I am but 2s years of age. am full of life and health!"
 At what hour did you open this ia. tai letter."
 At nine o'clock this morning."
 "Ah, well! At the same hour to. morrow morning, at the same min. ute, in full health, as l say, you will ex' perience certain palpitation in the heart, and all will be over."
 And you know of no remedy?"
 Not one!" returned the doctor, hid ing his head in his hands, and he fel upon the sofa, overcome with grief anG despair.
 Seeing the emotion of his old friend Anatole realized that he was con- demned to die. He became like one in. sane.
 All night, in fever of agitation his brain topsy-turvy, Anatole darteG up and down the boulevard, uncon. scious of his surroundings and that the streets were gradually becoming deserted. For long while he Tar thus until he fell exhausted on a bench.
 The rest was beneficial. He hac been like a man who had received blow on the head. The stupefaction was leaving now and he commenced tc collect his ideas which had been sc overthrown.
 "My situation," thought he, "is that I am condemned to die! must ac. cept this without hope, but with grace How much time have to live?"
 He looked at his watch.
 "Three o'clock a. m. It is time to go to bed. l rest? Should I sleeI these last few hours? No. have certainly much to debut what? Par. bleu! My will to make"
 A restaurant was near that remained open all night. He entered.
 Waiter! A bottle of champagne and bottle of ink"
 He drank glass of Cliquot and then looked at the paper dreamily.
 ''To whom shall 1 leave this legacy of 6,000 francs a year? have neither father nor mother. It is fortunate for them. Among all whom I count as friends, I know not one-ah! Nicette.' The last wishes were quickly writ. ten and all was bequeathed to Nicette It was done. Anatole drank a sec. ond glass of champagne.
 "Poor Nicette!" thought he. "She was very sad the last time that saw