Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-08
By R ROBERT
 LOUIS
 STEVEN SON

through the folding doors which form ed one end, and now and then the noise of champagne cork, followed by burst of laughter, intervened among the sounds of conversation. A single tall window looked out upon the river and 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 a thread, and there was nothing movable except a hand bell in the center of round ta- ble, and the hats and coats of consid- erable party hung round the wall on pegs.
 ssWhat sort of a den is this?" said Geraldine.
 '"That is what have come to see,'' replied the prince. If they keep live devils on the premises, the thing may grow amusing
 Just then the folding door was open- 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 presi- dent of the Suicide club. The president was man of fifty or upward, large and rambling in his gait, with shaggy side whiskers, a bald top to his head and yelled gray eye, which now and then emitted a twinkle. His mouth embraced a large cigar, which he kept continually screwing round and round and from side to side as he looked sagaciously and coldly at the strangers. a fryoc e fr1 ItoI1f o5e his neck very open in a striped shirt collar, and carried minute book under one arm.
 "Good evening"" said he, after he had closed the door behind him. tT am told you wish to speak with me-"
 We have desire, sir, to join the Suicide club" replied the colonel.
 The president rolled his cigar about In his mouth.
 s'What is that7'' 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 frolic for All Fools day. I can make allow ances for gentlemen who get merry in their liquor, but let there be an end to this.''
 "Call your club what you wil1,'' said the colonel, you have some company behind these doors, and we insist on joining it."
 "Sir," returned the president curtly, ssyou have made mistake. This is a private house, and you must leave it instantly"
 The prince had remained quietly in his seat throughout this little colloquy, but now. when the colonel looked over to him, as much as to say. "Take your answer and come away, for Gods sake!7 he drew his cheroot from his mouth and spoke.
 sI 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 bind him and is not at all likely to toll crate such rudeness. I arn a very quiet man, as a usual thing. but, my dear sir. you are either going to oblige me in the little matter of which you are aware or you shall very bitterly repent that you ever admitted me to your antechamber."
 The president laughed aloud.
 That is the way to speak," said he. "You are man who is man. You know the way to my heart and can do what you like with me. Will you" he continued, addressing Geraldine, twill eSAn nrff1 1N 41,, Hz~- T shall finish first with your companion, and some of the clubs formalities re- quire to be fulfilled in private"
 With these words he opened the door of small closet into which he shut the colonel.
 q believe in you," he said to Florizel as soon as they were alone, "but are you sure of your friend?"
 ''Not so sure as I am of myself, though he has more cogent reasons" answered Florizel, "but sure enough to bring him here without alarm. He has had enough to cure the most tenacious man of life. He was cashiered the oth- CT day for cheating at cargs."
 "A good reason, dare say," replied the president; tat least we have anoth- CT in the same case, and feel sure of him. Have you also been in the serv- ice, may ask?
 T have" was the reply, ''but was too lazy. left it early"
 What is your reason for being tired of life? pursued the president.
 The same, as near as can make it out" answered the prince-''unadulter- ated laziness"
 The president started. "Dash it." said he, you must have something better than thatW
 T have no more money" added Flor : 1el. '1That is also vexation without doubt It brings my sense of idleness to an acute point"
 The president rolled his cigar round in his mouth for some seconds, direct ing his gaze straight ints the eyes of this unusual neophyte, but the prince supported his scrutiny with unabashed good temper.
 "If had not deal of experience" l" said the president at last, "I should turn you off. But I know the world, and this much anyway-that the most frivolous excuses for a suicide are of ten the toughest to stand by--and when