The Warwickshire Herald. — 1885-12-31 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

NNW 4UNSAII4IN.  "Stypose we rb, try anew way of shullEng off this mertal coil !'' exclaimed Noel, suddenly, and his handsome Ince si oiled alive with lire 111/I1 purpose. " Let 21,7111:,110 kill r ~,,, ft.lllo eke ! You *hoot in.,, for instance, I VAubei t. Won't that he a new aseration, Madame ? Ito be killed—he to 1111 l rder me—you :and Scroll to look on —all in cool blood ! Oh, delight ttil ? Ni,,,, of the three of you would ever forget it," olt would be pnaligionsly novel," drawled Madame D'Aubert. " Rut WA ttttt st draw lots," proteated D'Atibert. "I do not mind killing. But I am a gentleman, and I t act with honour. Maileme wish, for a novel aensati tttt . We are both willing to 'malty her taste. Neither of ue cares to live. Either will die content.. But we t draw lots." " Nonsense " interpoard Scroll, "1 ). let be ouch fools !" Butt the other men paid no hied. " Come here, Claude," c the father id the little French boy. "Go up to my dresaing room and fetch toe the pistil you toil find ther,. iick! But be careful, because it is loaded.' " Are you going to ahoot ? " ernel the little fellow. " Oh, tine! Conic, Molly ! Quiek—or they'll be4in without us !" The e'ders laugned mi the two children—who were inseparable—dew away, 1104111 returning with the pisfBl. The two men ovum': ed the weapon carefully, after which D'Atibert produced a coin, and tossed it in the air. "We toss for death," he said, lightly. " Heads or tails, Noel ?" " Heads," said the man who endured the mortal disease. And it was heads. D'Auhert tossed again. " Heads," repeated Noel. And it was herds once more. For a moment the frivolous young People paused. Then Madame laughed very shrill. " What a pity! she said. "I might have had the senaation of becoming a widow. Now I Alai only lose a friend." "Noel, I forbid this impionafolly !" exclaimed Scroll. " man !" rationed Noel. " Pon know I've no desire to perpetuate my wretched existence Come here, Molly," lie went on, holding out his hand to the little girl. " Genie here, anal ray good-bye to your father, child." The child ran Till and threw her artna round his neck, and lie pressed her to his breast. I fid he regret his rash and wicked levity" No one ever knew. . . " Good•nye, Madame," he said, lifting the holy', fingers to his lips with a courtly air, " Good•bye, dear Scroll. IA by, what's the matter, man? You look dazed." "You don't mean—" stammered Scroll. "By —, Noel, yen don't mean ! Good heavens,D'Auliert, you are not going to murder hint in cold lii ml." " Merely for new sensation," said I rAubort clasping Noel's iqoferred and cordial hand. Scroll looked aghast. "Come, niy dear Scroll, you know life ilia% much pleasure to in.,, so don't attempt to step my putting an end to it," said Noel. "I've played &great many games, and this is the last. You like life—l don't ; and I wish to see it I like death any better." "Well, that's true," said Scroll, falling back. Then the man who was going to die took h a stand in the centre of the terrace, and D'Atibert stationed himself a few yards off, and Madame and Scroll looked on, no one thinking of dismissin; the wondering children, who crept to Johnny's aide, and nestled in his arms; and Johnny let them stay. being curious to see how this play—fcr it seemad to him to be a play—would 'id, and reluctant to inias a sight, of whose horror he had no imagination till it was too late. "Are you ready ? " said D'Aubert. • Perfectly," replied Noel. "Oh, don't," cried Illadanie with a little shriek, While Scroll made a step forward. But the remonstrance WAR useless. D'Aubert tired, and in an instant Noel fell, mid the ground was red with blood. "0 father'" screamed little Molly, rushing to him, while Madame swooned away, and Scroll and D'Aubert bent over their friend. "How do you--like—the new—sensa. tion flow—does—Madame like it'" gasped ;Void. In a few moments lie was dead.—There.y. A Nor,/. Fifer  " Witness.did you ever see the prisonvr at the bar? Oh. yes; that where I got acquainted with kiln." Waiter: (to seedy Thespian) : " Soup ?" Seedy Thespian "Sppe, sir How dare you call me sups Tinthe first old man of the company."