Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-14

of everything except mlsrorruneT
 And in a hurried voice and with the
 greatest ingenuousness he recounted to
 the prince the whole history of his ca
 lamity.
 "I see I have been mistaken" said
 his highness when he had heard him
 to an end. ''You are no other than a
 victim, and, since am not to punish,
 you may be sure I shall do my utmost to help. And now" he continued, ''to
 business Open your box at once and let me see what it contains Silas changed color.
 q almost fear to look upon it, he ex- 1 claimed.
 Nay" replied the prince, "have you
 not looked at it already? This is form
 of sentimentality to be resisted. The sight of a sick man whom we can help should appeal more directly to the feel i ings than that of a dead man who is
 equally beyond help or harm, love or hatred. Nerve yourself, MT. Scudda-
 more" And then, seeing that Silas still hesitated, T do not desire to give
 another name to my request" he
 added
 The young American awoke as if out
 of dream and, with shiver of re-
 pugnance, addressed himself to loose
 the straps and open the lock of the 1 Saratoga trunk. The prince stood by
 watching, with composed counte-
 nance and his hands behind his back.
 The body was quite stiff, and it cost l Si1as a great effort, both moral and
 physical to dislodge it from its posi- l ton and discover the face
 Prince Florizel started back with an | exclamation of painful surprise. Alas" he cried, you little know, l MT. Scuddamore, what a cruel gift you ] have brought me! This is young man 1 of my own suit, the brother of my trusted friend, and it was upon mat | ters of my own service that he has
 thus perished at the hands of violent
 and treacherous men. "Poor Geraldine" l he went on, as if to himself, sin what l words am to tell you of your brothers fate? How can I excuse myself in your eyes or in the eyes of God for the pre- sumptuous schemes that led him to this l bloody and unnatural death? An, Flori- 1 gel, when will you learn the discretion that suits mortal life and be no longer
 dazzled with the image of power at your disposal? Powerr' he cried. 'Who is more powerless? I look upon this
 young man whom have sacrificed, Mir. | Scuddamore, and feel how small thing it is to be prince.'' 1 Silas was moved at the sight of his 1 emotion. He tried to murmur some consolatory words and burst into tears.
 The prince, touched by his obvious in
 tention, came up to him and took him by the hand.
 Command yourself" said he. SEWe l have both much to learn, and we shall
 both be better men for today's meet 1 ing"
 l Silas thanked him in silence with an 1 affectionate look.
 1 Write me the address of Dr. Noel on this piece of paper" continued the
 prince, leading him toward the table,
 land let me recommend you when you
 are again in Paris to avoid the society of that dangerous man. He has acted | in this matter on a generous inspira- | tion; that must believe Had he been 1 prtvy to young Geraldine's death he | l to the care of the actual criminal"
 t"The actual criminali" repeated Silas in astonishment.
 1 Even so," returned the prince. "This l letter which the disposition of Almighty l Providence has so strangely delivered l into my hands was addressed to no less 1 q person than the criminal himself the 1 infamous president of the Suicide club. l Seek to pry no further in these perilous 1 affairs, but content yourself with your l own miraculous escape and leave this I house at once. have pressing affairs and must arrange at once about this 1 poor clay, which was so lately gallant l and handsome youth"
 l Silas took grateful and submissive
 leave of Prince Florizel, but he lin
 gered in Box court until he saw him
 depart in splendid carriage on a visit 1 toColonel Henderson of the police. Re l publican as he was, the young Ameri- | can took, off his hat with almost sen
 timent of devotion to the retreating car
 riage. And the same night he started | by rail on his return to Paris. ! Here, observes my Arabian author, is
 the end of '"The Story of the Physi- clan and the Saratoga Trunk" Omit 1 ting some reflections on the power of Providence, highly pertinent in the orig inal, but little suited to our occidental l taste, shall only add that MT. Scud- damore has already begun to mount the
 ladder of political fame, and by last advices was the sheriff of his native l town
 IooNTINUED.1