Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1903-01-16
By r OBERT
LOUIS
STEVENSON

10 ulNu. as uluCn as 10 say. rake your
answer and come away, for Gods
saker' he drew his cheroot from his
mouth and spoke. - = I'~;. K. 8.
Il have come here" said he ''upon
the invitation OF a friend of yours. He
has doubtless informed you Of my in
tention in thus intruding on your party.
Let me remind you that person in my
circumstances has exceedingly little to
bind him and Is not at all likely to toll
crate such rudeness am very
quiet man, as usual thing, but, my
dear sir, you are either going to oblige
me In the little matter Of which you
are aware or you shall very bitterly
repent. that you ever admitted me to
your antechamber."
The president laughed aloud.
THAT is the way to speak," said he.
''You are Il man who is a man. You
know the way to my heart and can do
what you like with me- Will you," he
continued addressing Geraldine, will
you step aside for few minutes?
shall finish first with your companion,
and some OF the clubs formalities re-
With these words he opened the door
of Il small closet. into which he shut
the colonel
Il believe in YOU" he said to FiorZel
as soon us they were alone. "but are
YOU sur" Of your fricnd?'
met SD sure as l am of myself
though he has more cogent reasons"
answered Florizel, but sure enough tc
bring him here without alarm. He has
had enough 10 cure the most tenacious
man Of life. He was cashiered the 9th
er day for cheating at cards"
"A good reason. l dare say" replied
the president; lat least we have anoth-
er in the same case. and feel sure OF
him. Have you also been in the serv-
ice. may ask!''
Il have" was the reply, ''but was
too lazy. l left it early"
What is your reason for being tired
Of life:" pursued the president:
The same, as near as can make it
out Answered the REPRESENTATIVES,
ated laziness.''
The president started. "Dash it." said
he, "you must have something better
than that!''
Il have no more money" added Flor
izel. THAT Is also vexation without
doubt. 1t brings my sense of idleness
to nm acute point -
The president rolled his cigar round
in his mouth for some seconds, direct
ing his gaze straight into the eyes Of
this unusual neophyte, but the prince
supported his scrutiny with una shed
good temper.
IF had not a deal of experience"
said the president at last, Il should
turn you Off. But know the world.
and this much anyway-that the most
frivolous excuses for a suicide are Of
ten the toughest to stand by-and when
downright like a man, as do you, sir.
l would rather strain the regulation
than deny him.
The prince and the colonel, one after
the other. were subjected to a long and
particular interrogatory. the prince
alone, but Geraldine in the presence of
the prince, so that the president might
observe the cOuntenance Of the one
while the other was being warmly
cross examined. The result was sat
isfactory. and the president. after hay
ing booked few details Of each case,
produced form of oath to be accepted.
Nothing could be conceived more pus-
siye than the obedience promised, or
more stringent than the terms by Which
the juror bound himself. The man
who forfeited a pledge SO awful could
scarcely have rag of honor or any Of
the consultations Of religion left to him.
Florzel signed the document. but not
without shudder. The colonel fol
lowed his example with an air of great
depression. Then the president re.
ceivcd the entry money and without
more ado introduced the two friends
into the smoking room of the Suicide
club.
The smoking room of the Suicide
club was the same height as the cal,
met into which it opened, but much
larger, and papered from top to bot
tom with an imitation of oak wainscot
A large and cheerful fire and a number
OF gas jets illuminated the company
The prince and his follower made the
number up to eighteen. Most Of the
party were smoking and drinking
champagne. A feverish hilarity reign
ed, with sudden and rather CHASTITY
pauses.
lis this a full meeting?" asked the
prince.
''Aiddiing." said the president. "By
the way" he added. III you have any
money it is usual to offer some cham.
payne. 1t keeps up good spirit and
is one Of my own little perquisites." :
"Hammersmith." said Florizel. 81
may leave the cha mpag ne TO you" ~
And with that he turned away and
began to go round among the. guests.
Accustomed to play the host in the
highest circles he charmed and ldomi.
mated all whom he approached. There
was something at once winning; and
- ufhOrit3 tive In hia address, 0nJ7 his