New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-11
TIE House on the Hudson.

Copyright. 1908. by Charles scrfsner's sons)

tie IS gonel Cat. awkward pigi must lie
awake because OF her! Awake. all nightF'
She covered her face if about to cry. julie
and searched anxfously for the bottle-it con-
tained her sleeping draught-and Julie found II.
Give it meP' cried Madam. eagerly. II trust
no one no one, I will put II beneath my pillow.
Quick Julie"
The woman hesitated. glancing inquiringly at
me. Madam saw the glance
''Foolr' she exclaimed. Did I drink ALL II
could not kill"
"If Mademoiselle remains through the
night
Yes" said 81 will stay"
1T may Leak suggested Julie. still doubtful
Madam snatched the bottle from her hand
and thrust II beneath her pillow.
The maid retreated saying to me that shs
would fetch a dressing gown
Cray being in town, Mathnde sleeps In my
room tonight" she volunteered. FRANCOIS in
the great hail. T'-waving toward divan in
the corner-'here."
When she returned Madam began an apology.
Il have been cross" she said Il sorry
yes. sorry. 1 need constant care-they will hate
me if am cross I must make amends She
thought moment Julie. my good girl. bring
the three glasses from my little cabinet-the
green the red. the opaline, All. but that they
are prettyr'-as Julie. fetching them with great
alacrity. placed them the bed tray. Now.
bid FRANCOIS bring Benedictine-in a light
pitcher that I myself lift. Yes. must ill
the glasses. else no true compliment is paid
Go, filler
Hardly had the door closed upon Julie when
Madam gave low cry OF fear
The bedr' she whispered. Under the bed
They are therei Oh. look Athena
AS always in such crises. humOred her in
stantly. dropping upon hands and knees and
looking for what not
Nothing herer' cried. from the level OF the
floor
Look once again. my child, Make sure-havs
patience; look again
Nothing. on nv honor. dear Madam! May
get upY
Yes. yes. my Athena, Forgive an old woman
for her fretting ways. Bad dreams. bad dreamst
All here is Francois. with the sweet drink
The pitcher? Yes. Francois. lift il easily. See
the glasses like CAV bUbbles-Vsnetian glass.
Francois. very precious. very rare. Go, now.
but send Aiathilde-turn your backs" she cried
sharply to Julie and me. Il grow nervous thus
watched I shall spill Your faces 10 the
tain there else You'll be staring In the mirrors
Then I was called to receive my share.
But I rarely touch wine. dear Madam" 7
demonstrated
This is not wine. Athena
The same thing" insisted. moving in ODE
dience 70 a motion Of her head 20 the other side
Of the bed. where 1 faced her and Julie
Madam closed her hand around the bowl OF
glass. II cleaned like great opal leaving the
stem free
Lift it carefully. Don't spill the rich contents
drink them down, This - not wine, my
child"'
she looked straight into my eyes The express
sion in hers daunted me-comma nding. deeply
intelligent. I obeyed. and saw what her en-
circiing hand had concealed The glass was
empty Quickly closed M own about f.
"A health I cried, sayIy. lifting II 20 my lips
with simulated care May you always gain
Cur hearts desire. Madam Errantir'
After draining nothingness. cried out against
its fierce heat and filing the glass from carafe
OF water drank again and again-to cool my
burning throat.
The maids laughed with nI-concealed con
tempt Madam IN tones Of childish regret. be
moaned her cruelty
1t gives MadernoiseNe fine color. said Julie
she would DO Well 70 follow the advice OF Mon
sieur and take II always with her dinner
Come" cried Madam Julie and Mathildei