Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-07

however, I am at your serviCe-aK you are truly tired of life, I will introduce you tonight to meeting, and, if not tonight, at least some time within the week you will be easily relieved of your existences. It is now," consulting his watch, s'11 o'clock. By half past at latest we must leave this place, so that you have half an hour before you to consider my proposal It is more serious than cream tart," he added, with a smile, land, I suspect, more palatable."
 More serious, certainly" returned Colonel Geraldine, land, as 1t is so much more so, will you allow me five minutes speech in private with my friend, MT. GodallT'
 Ut is only fair," answered the young man. @Tf you will permit, I will re- tire"
 ''You will be very obliging,' said the colonel.
 As soon as the two were alone, What" said Prince Florizel, lis the use of this confabulation, Geraldine? I see you are Hurried, whereas my mind Is very tranquilly made up. I will see the end of this"
 Your highness," said the colonel, turning pale. '1et me ask you to consid- CT the importance of your life not only to your friends, but to the public inter- est If not tonight said this madman. But supposing that tonight some frrep- arabic disaster were to overtake your highness' person. What, let me ask you what would be my despair and ~ ,A ne4n n4 N great nation?'
 sI will see the end of this." repeated the prince in his most deliberate tones,
 ''and have the kindness, Colonel Ger aldine, to remember and respect your word of honor as gentleman. Under no circumstances, recollect, nor without my special authority are you to betra ' the incognito under which choose to go abroad. These are my commands, which now reiterate. And now" he added, 'Iet me ask you to call for the bill.v
 Colonel Geraldine bowed in stbrnis-
 sion, but he had very white face as he summoned the young man of the cream tarts and issued his directions to the waiter. The prince preserved his undisturbed demeanor and described q
 Palais Royal farce to the young suicide with great humor and gusto. He avoid ed the co1onel's appealing looks with out ostentation and selected another l cheroot with more than usual care. In- deed he was now the only man of the
 party who kept any command over his
 nerves.
 The bill was discharged, the prince giving the whole change of the note to the astonished waiter, and the three
 drove off in a four wheeler. They were
 not long upon the way before the cab
 stopped at the entrance to rather dark court. Here all descended.
 After Geraldine had paid the fare the
 young man turIied and addressed Prince
 Florizel as follows:
 Tt is still time, Nfr. Godall, to make good your escape into thraldom. and for you, too, Major Hamme mersmith. Re feet well before you take another step,
 and if your hearts say no--here are the
 crossroads"
 "T.ead on, sir,' said the prince. q
 am not the man to go back from a thing 1 once said"
 "Your coolness does me good" re- 1 piled their guide. II have never seen
 any one so unmoved at this conjunc- ture, and yet you are not the first whom have escorted to this door.
 More than one of my friends has pre- ceded me where knew must shortly follow. But this is of no interest to
 you Wait me here for only a few mo
 ments. I shall return as soon as have arranged the preliminaries of your in- troduction."
 And with that the young man, way
 ing his hand to his companions, turned
 into the court, entered a doorway and l disappeared.
 "Of all our follies," said Colonel Ger aldine in q low voice. s'this is the wild- est and most dangerous" l T perfectly believe so," returned the prince.
 we have still,' pursued the colonel.
 "a moment to ourselves. Let me be-
 seech your highness to profit by the
 opportunity and retire. The conse. 1 quenees of this step are so dark and
 may be so grave that feel myself l justified in pushing little further l than usual the liberty which your high
 ness is so eondescending as to allow
 me in private"
 1 "Am I to understand that Colonel l Geraldine is afraid?' asked his high
 ness, taking his cheroot from his lips and looking keenly into the others face. l My fear is certainly not personal, '
 replied the other proudly. "Of that your highness may we'll rest assured. y T had supposed as much," returned l the prince, with undisturbed good hu-
 nor, 'but I was unwilling to remind you of the difference in our stations.
 No moreno more," he added, seeing ! Geraldine about to apologize. You stand excused"
 And he smoked placidly, leaning againska railing, until the young man returned
 "Well," he asked, t'has our reception been arrangedT
 Follow me-" was the reply. "The
 president will see you in the cabinet. And let me warn you to be frank in
 your answers. have stood your guar antee, but the club requires a search ing inquiry before admission, for the indiscretion of a single member would