The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-01-08

Ole Nee,
Arabian

=, ,..Ni&bfs
BY ROBERT
LOUIS
STEVENSON


here in search of death, like yourself"
replied the paralytic, returns every
evening until fortune favors him. He
can even, if he is penniless, get board
and lodging from the PRESIDENT; very
fair, I believe and clean, although, of
course, not luxurious. That could hard
~ be, considering the exiguity, if may
And then the presidents company is
~delicacy in ITSELF"
Indeed" cried Geraldine, "he had
not greatly prepossessed me!'
"Ah!' said Mr.. Nautilus. you dc
not know the mantle drollest fellow!
What stories, what cynicism! He knows
life to admiration, and, between our
Selves is probably the most corrupt
rogue in Christendom."
And he Also" asked the colonel, "is
a permanency, like yourself, if I may
say so without offense?"
Indeed he is permanency in very
different sense from me-" replied Mr..
Nautilus. 81 have been graciously spar
ed, but must go at last. Now, he nev
er plays. He shuff1es and deals for the
club and makes the necessary arrange
ments. That man, my dear Mr.. Ham
mersmith, is the very soul of ingenuity.
For three years he has pursued in Lon.
don his useful and, think I may add,
his artistic calling, and not so much as
a whisper of suspicion has been once
aroused. believe him myself to be in
spired. You doubtless remember the
celebrated case six months ago of the
gentleman who was accidentally poi
sOned in a chemists shop. That was
one of the least rich, one of the least
racy, Of his notions; but. then, how
simple, and how safey'
You aStOund me-" said the colonel.
"Was that unfortunate gentleman one
of the he was about to say "vic.
TINS" but, bethinking himself in time,
he substituted members of the club?'
In the same flash of thought it oc-
Cured to him that Mr. Nautilus him.
of one VINO is in love with death, and
he added hurriedly:
But perceive am still in the dark.
You speak of shutting and dealing.
Pray, for what end? And, since you
seem rather unwilling to die than 9TH
erwise. must own that cannot con.
ceive what brings you here at all.'
"You say truly that you are in the
dark replied Mr.. Nautilus, with more
animation. why, my dear sir, this
club is the temple of intoxication. If
my enfeebled health could support the
excitement more often, you may depend
upon it should be more often here.
1t requires all the sense of duty en-.
gendered by long habit of ill health
and careful regimen to keep me from
excess in this, which is, may say, my
last dissipation. l have tried them all,
SIR" he went on. laying his hand on
Geraldines arm, "all, without excep.
ton, and l declare to you, upon my
honor, there is not one of them that
has not been grossly and untruthfully
overrated. People trif1e with love. Now.
l deny that love is a strong passion.
Fear is the strong passion. 1t is with
fear that you must trife if you wish
to taste the intensest joys of living.
Envy me-envy me. sir" he added.
with chuckle, 81 am a coward!'
Geraldine could scarcely repress q
movement of repulsion for this deplora.
BILE wretch, but he commanded himself
with an effort and continued his in.
quiries.
How. SIR he asked. lis the excite.
ment so artfully prolonged. and where
is there any element of uncertainty?'
II must tell you how the victim fol-
every evening is selected" returned
Mr.. Nautilus. land not only the victim
but another member, who is to be the
instrument in the clubs hands and
deaths high priest for that occasion"
"Heavens!' SAID the colonel "Do
they then kill each other?'
''The trouble of suicide is removed in
that way" returned Nautilus. with a
nod.
"Merciful heavensv' calculated the
colonel. And may you-may I-may
, the-my friend, l mean-may any of
: us be pitched upon this evening as the
slayer Of another mans body and i'm
mortal spirit? Can such things be pos
Isible among men born of women? Oh,
4 infamy of infamies"
He was about to rise in his horror
when he caught the princes eye. 1t
Twas fixed upon him from across the
room with frowning and angry stare.
q In moment Geraldine recovered his
q composure.
"After ALL" he added, ''why not
And since you say the game is inter.
esting, vogue la galere-1 follow the
CLUB!
Mr.. Nautilus had keenly enjoyed the
colonels amaz-ment and disgust. He
had the vanity of wickedness, and it
pleased him to see another man give
way to a generous movement while he
felt himself in his entire corruption su-
;perior to such emotions.
.sYou now, after your first moment of
surprise" said he, "are in position to
appreciate the delights of our society.
-