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

quenceS OF this step are SO dark and
may be SO grave that feel myself
| justified in pushing little further,
than usual the liberty which your high
ness is SO condescending as to allow
| me in private
"Am I to understand that Colonel
| Geraldine is afraid?' asked his high
ness, taking his cheroot from his lips
| and looking keenly into the others face.
MY fear Is certainly not PERSONAL" 2.
replied the other proudly "Of that
your hlghness may well rest assured
Il had supposed as much" returned
the prince, with undisturbed good hui
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
against railing, until the young man
| returned.
''Well," he asked, 'shas our reception
been arranged?"
Follow me-" was the reply. "The
president will see you in the cabinet.
And let me warn you to be frank in
your answers. 1 have stood your guar
antee, but the club requires a search
ing inquiry before admission, for the
| indlscretion of single member would
lead to the dispersion of the whole So
ciety forever"
The prince and Geraldine put their
heads together for a moment. "Bear
me out in this" said the one; "bear
me out in that" said the other, and.
oy boldly taking up the characters of
men with whom both were acquainted.
they had come to an agreement in
twinkling and were ready to follow
their guide into the presidents cab
met.
There were no formidable obstacles
to pass. The outer door stood open. the
door of the cabinet was ajar, and there.
IN a small but very high apartment,
the young man left them once more.
He will be here Immediately" he
said, with nod, as he disappeared.
| Voices were audible in the cabinet
through the folding doors which form
ed one end, and now and then the noise
or champagne cork, followed by
burst OF laughter, interviewed among
the sounds of cOnversat ton. A single:
tall window looked out upon the river
ana the embankment, and by the dis
position of the lights they judged them
selves not far from Charing Cross sta
ton. The furniture was scanty and the
| coverings were worn to thread. and
| there was nothing movable except a
hand bell in the center of round ia
BILE, and the hats and coats of a consiu-
| cradle party hung round the wall On
pegs.
'What sort of a den is this?' said
Geraldine
''That is what have come to seeJ',
replied the prince. IF they keep live
devils on the premises, the thing NAV
grow amusing
just then the folding door was opei
ed no more than was necessary for the
passage of human body, and there
entered at the same moment a louder
buzz of talk and the redoubtable .p=eSi-
dent of the Suicide club. The president
was a man of fifty or upward, large
and rambling in his gait, with shaggy
side whiskers, bald top to his head
and yelled gray eye, which now ard
then emitted twinkle. His mouth
embraced large cigar, which he kebt
continually screwing round and round
and from side to side as he looked
sagaciously and coldly at the stranger Is.
He was dressed in light tweeds, with
his neck very open in striped shirt
collar, and carried minute book under
one arm.
"Good evening"" said he, after be
had closed the door behind him. ID
am told you wish to speak with me-"
eve have desire, sir, to join the
Suicide club" replied the colonel
The president rolled his cigar about
in his mouth.
''What is that?" he said abruptly.
"Pardon me-" returned the colonel,
"but I believe you are the person best
qualified to give us information on that
point
"I?" cried the president. "a Suicide
club? Come come! This is froIic
for All Fools day. 1 can make alloy w.
duCcS lOI SCulleluCu WHO Set uGiTy I'm
their liquor, but let there be an end Ito
this (
Call your club what you WILL" said
the colonel, you have some compa py
behind these doors, and we insist on
joining it,"
'Sir," returned the president curtIy,
"you have made a mistake. This isl a
private house, and you must leave it
instantly"
The prince had remained quietly lin
his seat throughout this little colloq4y,
but now, when the colonel looked over
to him, as much as to say, 'Take your
answer and come away, for Gods
sakew he drew his cheroot from bis
mouth and spoke. ~
II have come here" said he, upon
the invitation of 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
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