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LOUIS
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Uhc SUICIDE
CLU B
JYorr A young Man With
tht Crfam Tart
CRIXO bis residence In
London the accomplished
Trlnoe Florliel of Bohe
mia Rained the affection
of alt classes by the se
duotlon of hl manner
and by n well considered
generosity. He wii a reraarkablo man
even by what wai kuowu of Ulm, and
tbnt was but a small part of what be
actually did. Although of a placid tem
per In ordinary circumstances and ac
customed to take the world with a
much philosophy aa any plowman, tbe
Prince of Uohcmla waa Dot without a
taste for ways of -life more sd ventur
ous and eccentric thuu tbat to which be
was destined by hla birth. Now and
then, when be fell Into a low humor,
when there waa no laughable play to
witness In any of the Ixjndon theater
ond when the season of the year wa
unsuitable to thoMe fleld sports In which
be excelled oil competitors, be would
Biiuiiuon hla confidant ond master of
tl'.e bone. Colonel Oeraldine, and bid
Mm prepare himself against an erening
ramble. The master of the borse waa a
young ofiiccr of a brave and even tem
erarious disposition, lie greeted the
news with delight and hastened to
make ready. I,oug practice and a va
ried ac(uaiutnnce of life bad given him
a singular facility In disguise. Lie
could adapt not only hla face and bear
lug, but his voice and almost bis
thoughts, to those of any rank, charac
ter or nation, and in this way be di
verted attention from the prince and
sometimes gained admission for tho
pair into strango societies. Tbe civil
nuthoritlea were never taken Into the
seeret of these adventures. Tbe Imper
turbable courage of the one and the
rendf invention and chlvalroua devo
tion of the other bnd brought tscra
through a score of dangerous passes,
ond they grew In confidence as time
vent on.
One evening In March they were drlv-1
en by a sharp fall of sleet Into an oyster
bar in the Immediate neighborhood of
Leicester square. ; Colonel Oeraldine
was dressed and painted to represent
person connected with tbe press In ra
ihieed circumstances, while tho prince
bail, as usual, travestied bis appear
ance by the addition of false whisker
and a pair of large adhesive eyebrows,
Tbeso lent bun a shaggy and weather
beaten air, which for one of bis urban
ity formed the most Impenetrable dls
Itulse. Thus equipped the commander
and his satellite sipped tbelr brandy
nod soda lu security.
The bar was full of guests, male and
female; but, though tnore than one of ,
tlieso offered to fall Into talk with our
udventurers, none of them promised to
grow Interesting upon a nearer ac
quaintance. There was nothing pres
ent but the lees of London and tbe
commonplace of dlsrcspectnblllty, and
the prince bad already fallen to yawn
ing and was beginning to grow weary
of the whole excursion when the awing
doors were pushed violently open aud.
n young man, followed by a couple of
coiuiulssloiiiialres, entered thenar. Kacb
of the comuiisslonualrea carried a large
dish of cream tarts under a cover,
which they at once removed, and the
young man made the round of tbe com
pany aud pressed these confections
uikiu every one's acceptance with an
exaggerated courtesy. Sometimes bis
olTer wu laughingly accepted; some
times It was tlrnily or even harshly re
jected. In these hitter cases the new
comer always ate the tart himself,
with some more or less humorous com
mentary. At last he accosted rrlnce FtorlzoL
"Hlr," said he, with profound obei
sance, proffering the tart at the same
1 1 mo between bis thumb and forefin
ger, "will you so fur honor an entire
stranger? I can auswer for the qual
ity of the pastry, having eaten two dot
en and tbrco of tbetn myself since b
o'clock."
"I am lu' tbe habit." . replied tbe
prince, "of looking not so much to the
nature of a gift as to tbe spirit In
which It is offered."
"The spirit, sir." returned the young
,iiuiii, with another bow, "Is one of
mockery."
"Mockery!" repeated Florlsel. "Ami
whom do you propose to mock?"
"I m not here to expound my philos
ophy," replied the other, "but to dis
tribute these cream tarts. If I mentloo
tlifit I heartily Include myself In the
ridicule of the transaction. I hope you
will consider honor satisfied and con
descend. If not, you will constrain me
to ent my twenty-eighth, and I own te
being weary of the exercise."
"Yon touch me." said tbe prince,
"and I have all the will In tbe world
to rescue you from this dilemma, but
npou one condition. If my friend aud
I eat your enkea for which we have,
neither of us, any natural Inclination
w shall expect yon to Join ns at sap
per by way of recompense.
The young man seemed to reflect.
"I have still several doxen upon
band." he mid at Inst, "and that will
make it necessary for me to visit sor
er a I more bars before my great affair
Is concluded. This will take Mint
time, and If yon are hungry"
The prince Interrupted hlm with t
ptlitc gesture.
"My friend and I will accompan?
you." he said, "for we have already a
deep Interest In your very agreeable
mode of passing an evening. And now
that the relliiilnarles of peace are aet
tled. ollow me to sign the treaty for
both."
D
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Wight
And tbe prince swallowed the tart
with the best grace Imaginable.
"It Is delicious." said be.
"I perceive you are connoisseur,"
replied the young man.'1
Colonel Oeraldine likewise did honor
to tbe pastry, and every one In that bar
having now ejther accepted or refused
bis delicacies the young man with tbe
cream tarta led tbe way to another and
similar establishment. The two com
mission na ires, who seemed to have
grown accustomed to their absurd em
ployment, followed immediately after,
and the prince and the colonel brought
up tbe rear, arm In arm, and smiling
to eacb other a they went In this
order tbe company visited two other
taverns, where scenes were enacted of
like nature to that already described
some refusing, some accepting, tbe
favors of this vagabond hospitality,
and the young niaa himself eating
each rejected tart.
On leaving the third saloon the young
man counted bla store. There were
but nine remaining, three In one tray
and six In the other.
Tfcntlemen," said he, addressing
himself to bis two followers, "I am un
willing to delay your supper. I am
positively sure you must be hungry,
feel tbat I owe yon a special considers
tlolu And on this great duy fur me.
when I am closing a career of folly by
my most conspicuously silly action.
wish to behave handsomely to all who
give me countenance. Gentlemen, you
shall wait no longer. Although my
constitution Is shattered by previous
excesses, at tbe risk of my life I llqul
date tbe suspensory condition.
With these words be crushed the nine
remaining tarts Into bis mouth and
wallowed them at aislugle movement
eacb; then, turning toithe commission-'
nalres, be gave them uncouple of sover
eigns.
"I have to thank you said be, for
your extraordinary patience."
Aud be dismissed thcni with a bow
apiece. For some seconds be stood look'
lug at the purse from which be bud
Just paid bis assistants; then, with
laugh, be tossed It Into the middle of
tbe street and signified his readiness
for supper.
In a small French restaurant In Soho,
which bad enjoyed an exaggemted rep
utation for some little while, but bnd
already begun to be forgotten, and In a
private room up two pairs of stairs tbe
three' companions raado a very elegant
supper and drank three or four bottles
of champagne, talking tho while upon
Indifferent subjects. The young man
was fluent and gay, but bo laughed
louder than was natural In a person of
polite breeding, bis hands trembled vio
lently, aud bis voice took sudden ond
surprising Inflections, whlrti seemed to
be independent of bis will. The dessert
bad been cleared away and all three
had lighted their cigars when the
prince addressed Mm In these words:
You will, I am sure, pardon my cu
rloslty. What I have seen of you bus
greatly pleased me, but even more puz
zled me, and, though I sheuld lie loath
to seem Indiscreet, I must tell you that
my friend and I are iiersona very well
worthy to Ik Intrusted with a secret We
have muny of our own, which we are
contlnuully revealing to Improper ears,
aud If, aa I supiKtse, your story is a silly
one, you need have no delicacy with us.
who are two of tho silliest men in Eur-
land. My name Is Oodall Theophllus
QodAll; ' my friend is Major Alfred
Hammersmith, or at least such is the
name by which be chooses to be known.
Wo pass our Uvea entirely in tbe search
for extravagant adventures, and there
la ho extravagance with which we are
not capablo of sympathy."
1 Ilk you, Mr. GodalL" returned
tbe young man. "You Inspire me with
a natural confidence, and I have not
tbe slightest objection to your friend
the major, whom I take to be a noble
man In masquerade; at least I am mvtt
be Is no soldier.
Tbe colonel smiled at this compli
ment to the perfection of his art ami
the young man went on In a more ani
mated manner:
"There 1 every reason why 1 should
cot tell you my story. Perhaps that Is
Just the reason why I am going to do
so; at least you seem so well pre
pared to bear a tale of silliness that 1
cnunot find It In my heart to disap
point you. My name, in spite of .your
example. I shall keep to myself. My
age I not essential to the narrative. 1
am descended from -my ancestors by
ordinary generation, and from them I
Inherited very eligible human tene
ment, which I still occupy, and a for
tune of .100 a year. I suppose they
also banded on to me a barebraln hu
mor, which It has been my chief de
ign t to Indulge. I received a good edu
cation, i can pry-vne--vioiin nemo
well enough to earn money In n cheap
orchestra, bnt not quite. Tbe same re
mark applies to the Cute and ttie
French born. I learned enough of whist
to lose about hundred a year at that
scientific game. My acquaintance with
French was snffleient to enable me to
squander money In Tarls with almost
the same facility as In Loudon. In
Short. I am a person full of manly ac
complishments. I have bnd every sort
f adventure. Including a duel about
nothing. Only two months ago I met
a young lady exactly suited to my
taste In mind and body; I found my
heart melt; 1 saw that I had come upon
bit fate at Inst and waa in the way to
fall in love. Hot when I came to reckon
up what remained to me of my capital I
found it amounted to something less
thau I4i! I ask yon fairly, ran a man
who respects himself fall In love on
I concluded certainly not. h ft
the presence of my charmer and, slight
ly accelerating my usual rate of ex
penditure, nuns this morning to my
lust f. This I divided Into two equal
parts 1 10 I reserve for a particular
purpose and the remaining IW I was
to dlsa!iate before night.
"I have passed a very entertain
ing day andplayed many fa rets be-(
fides Hir.t of tho cream tarta. which
procured me the advantage of your ac
quuiiiUnre, for I waa determined, aa I
tela you, to bring a foolish career to a
still more foolish conclusion, aud when
'you saw me throw my purso Into tbe
street tbe Ik) was at au end. Now
you know me as well as I know my
selfa fool, but consistent In bis folly
and, as I will ask you to believe, nei
ther a wbliiqu-rer nor coward."
From the wliole touo of tho young
man's statement It was plain thut be
bartered very bitter and contemptuous
thoughts about himself. Ills' auditors
Wc-ro lod to imagine tbat his love affair
was nearer bis heart tlian be admitted
and that be bad a design on bis own
life Tbo farce of the cream tarts be
gan to have very much the air of a
trugedy In disguise,
- "Why, Is this not odd." broke out
Geraliilue, giving a look to Priuce Flor-
"AS FOIt THE REST" II E TOSSEH THEM INTO THE 1-TI1E.
lzel, "that we three fellows' should
have met by the merest accident in so
largo n wilderness as London and
should be so nearly in tho same condi
tion ?"
"How?" cried the young man. "Are
you. too, ruined? Is this supper a fol
ly like my cream tarts? Has the devil
brought threo of his own together for a
lust carouse?"
"Tbe devil, depend upon it, con some
times do a very gentlemanly thing," re-
rurued rrlnce ! lorizel, "and I am to
much touched by this coincidence that
although we are not entirely In the
same state, I am going to put an end to
tho disparity. Let your heroic treat
ment of the Inst cream tarts be my ex
ample."
Ho saying, the prince drew out bis
purso mid took from It a small bundle
of banknotes.
'You see, I was a week or so behind
you, but I mean to catch you up and
come neck and neck Into the winning
post," be continued. 'This," laying one
of the notes umjii the tuble, "will suffice
for' the bill As for the rest" He
tossed them Into the fire, and they went
up the chimney In a single blaze.
The young man tried to catch bis
arm, but, ns the table was between
them, bis Interference came too late.
Tnhnppy man." be cried, "you
should not have burned them all! You
lihould have kept 1(1."
forty pounds! repented the prince.
Why, in heaven's name, 40?"
"Why not eighty?" cried the colonel. -For
to my certain 'knowledge there
must have been a hundred In the Inm
ate." "It was only -10 he ne. Iitl." snld the
I'onng mau gloomily. "Hut witliout
fucnr there Is no Tnlmlssron. The rule
1 strict 40 for each. Accursed life,
where a man cannot even die without
money!"
The prince ami the-colonel exchang
ed glance.
"Explain yourself." said tho latter.
I have still a imcUetbook tolcrnbre
well lined, and I need not sny how
readily I should share my wealth witB)
(lodall, but I must know to what end.
You must evrtr.lnly tell na what yon
mean."
The youmr nun seemed to awaken;
be looked uneasily from one to the oth
er, and his face Hushed deeply.
ion are not fooling me?" be nsked.
'Ton are Indeed ruined men like me?"
Luleed, 1 am. for my part." replied
the i-olonel.
And for mine." said the prince. "I
have given yon prvof. Who but a
ruined man would throw his notes Id'c
the lire? The action speak for Itself"
A rnlncd iiinn-jcs," returned the
otfier suspiciously, "or else a million
aire."
"Enough, sir." said the prince. "1
have said , and I am not accnstomcl
to have my word remain lu doubt"
"nuined?" said the young man. "Are
yon ruined, like me? Are you, after a
life of Indulgence, come to such a pass
that yon. .c.in only Indulge yourself In
ono thing more? Are you" be kept
lowering his voice (is lie went on "ure
yen (zo!:ig to give yonrsclvcs thnt last
Indulgeut-e? Are you going. 'to avoid
the coiiseqnt'iici of your folly by the
one Infallible and e.Ky path? Are you
Suing to give the flip to the sheriff's
officers of conscience by the one open
dor V
Suddenly be broke off and attempted
to Inugh.
"Here Is your hcolth!" he cried,
emjwylng bis glass; "and good night to
vo'i. my nn-rry ruined men."
Colonel t.'eraNliiic caught him by the
arm as he was about to rise. I
"You lack confidence In us," he said,
"and you nm wrong. To all your
questions I. make answer In the afilnu
Btive. lmt I am not n timid aud can
SNiii tlieqiieen's I'liglisii plainly. Wa,
too, like yourself, have had enough of
life and are determined to die. Sounee
or later, nlnr.e or together, we meant in
sk out tlciitb and beard hlm where
be lies ready. Since we have met you.
and your case Is more pressing, let It
be toi'l-lt. and ut once, and. If you
will, all three together. Such a penni
less trio," he cried, "should go crm In
arm Into the balls of Pluto nu.I give
cncli other some countenance among
tbe shades."'
tieruldine had hit exactly on the
manner and intonations that liceame
the part be was playing. The prince
himself was disturbed aud looked over
ft bis conlliliriit with a shade of doubt:
As for the young man. the (Iiuh came
back riiU'M.r into his check, and his
eyes threw out a spark of light.
"You are the men for me!" he cried,
with an almost terrible guyety. "Shake
bands iiimhi the bargain!" His baud
was cold and wet. "Yau I'ttle know
lu what company you will bglii the
march! You little know In what
happy moment for yourselves yon par
took of my cream tarts." I nin only
unit, but I am n unit lu an army. I
know dentil's private door. I am owe
of bis familiars mid can show you into
eternity without ceremony niul yet
without scandal."
' 'flicy cnlled npou hlm eagerly to rt
pialn his meaning.
"Can yon muster 30 between you?"
he demanded.
Gernldlne ostentatiously consulted
bis pocketliook niul replied In the of
flruinllve.
"Fortunate tieings!" cried the young
man. "Forty pounds Is tho entry moil
P,V of the Suirlde club."
"The Suicide club!" said the prtucw.
"Why, what Is thntr
"Listen," said the young man. "This
the ago of conveniences, and I have
to tell you of tho lust perfection of tho
sort We have affairs in different
places, and hence railways were In
ventiil. Hallways separated us Infalli
bly from our friends, and so telegraphs
were made that we might communicate
siiccdlly nt great distances. Even In
hotels we hnve lifts to spare us
climb of some hundred steps. Now, we
know that life Is only a stage to play
the fool upon as long as the part
amuses us. There was one more con
venience lacking to modern comfort
decent, easy way to quit that stage,
the back stairs to liberty, or, as I said
this moment death's private door.
This, my two fellow rebels, Is supplied
by the Suicide club. .
lk not .suppose that you and I are
alone or even exceptional In the highly
reasonable desire that we profess. A
large nuinl.er of our fellow men who
have? grown heartily islck of the per
formance In which they ore. expected
to Join dally and nil their lives long
ore only kept from flight by one or two
Consideration. Some have families who
would be kii.jckcd or even blamed If
the matter became public; others have
a weakness at heart and recoil from
the circumstance of death. Tbat Is, to
some extent, my own Txpcricnce. I
cannot put a pistol to my head mid
draw the trigcer, for something stron
ger than myself withholds the uci, and,
althoiu.li I loathe life, I have not
strength enough in my body to take
hold of dealh and be done with it. For
such ns I rind for nil who desire to be
out of the coll without posthumous
scandal the Suicide club has been In
augurated. How this has been man
aged, what is its history or what may
be its ramifications in other lauds I nin
myself uninformed, and what I know
of its (oust it ut Ion I nut not at lllicrty
to eomiiimi!) ate to J oil. To this extent,
however, I am ut your scrvii-e If you
are truly tired of life, I will intrediu-e
yo:l tonight to a meeting, and. If not
tonight, nt least some time within the
week yon will lie easily relieved of
your existences. It Is now," cousnlting
bis watcli, "II o'clock, lty half past at
latest we must leave this place, so that
you have half on hour before you to
consider my ir"I'wal. It is more serious
than a cream tart." he ndded, with a
smile, "and, I ausptvi. more palatable."
"More scrtons, certainly," returned
Colonel Ceraldine. "and. ss It la so
nineb more j. will you allw me live (
minutes' seech In private with my
friend Mr. (iod.-ilir
"It Is only fair," answered tbe yonng I
man, II jrou will permit, I will re
tire." "You will be very obliging," said the
coloueL
A soon as the two were alone,
"What" said Prince FlortacL "is the
use of this eoufubulutiou, Oeraldine? I
see you are flurried, whereas my mind
Is very tranquilly made up. I will ace
the end of this,"
"Your highness," said the colonel,
turning pale, "let me ask you to consid
er tbe Importance of your life not only
to your friends, but to the public Inter
est 'If not tonight' said this madman.
Hut supposing that tonight some Irrep
arable dUuster were to overtake your .
btirhneair net-son. What let ma aak
you what would be my despair and !
what tbe concern and disaster of
(reat nation?" - " '.-.. -
"I wuM see tbe end of this." repeated
the prince in his most deliberate tones.
"aud nave the kindness, Colouel Oer
aldine, to remember and respect your
word of honor as gentleman. Under
no circumstance, recollect nor without
my special authority are you to betray
the incognito under which I choose to
go abroad. These are my commands.
which I now reiterate. And now," be
added, "let me ask yon to call for tbe
bill.'
Colonel Oeraldine bowed in submis
sion, but be bad very white face a
be summoned the young man of the
cream tart and Issued bis direction to
the waiter. The prince preserved his
undisturbed demeanor and described a
Palais Itoyal farce to tae young suicide
with great humor and gusto, lie avoid
ed tbe colonel' appealing looks with
out osteututlou and selected another
cheroot with more thau usuul cure. In
deed he was now tbe only man of the
party who kept any command over bis
nerves.
Tbe bill wa discharged, the prince
giving the whole change of tho note to
the astonished waiter, and the three
drove oft lu a four wheeler. They were
not long upon the way before the cab
stopied . at the entrance to a rather
durk court Here all descended.
After Oeraldine bud puld the fare tbe
young man turned and addressed Trine
FJorizcl as follows: . .
"It la still time, Mr. Godall, to make
good your escape Into thraldom, and
for you, too. Major Hammersmith. Re
flect well before you take another step.
and if your hearts say no here are the
crossroads." "
Lead on, sir," said tho prince. . "1
am not the man to go back from a thing
once said." .
Y'our coolness does me good," re
plied their guide. . "I have never seen
any one so unmoved at this conjunc
ture, and yet you are not tbe first
whom I have escorted to this door.
More than one of my friend has pre
ceded me where I knew I must shortly
follow. But this is of no Interest to
you. Walt me here for only a few mo
menta. I shall return as soon as I have
arranged the prellminaiie of your In
troduction." --
And with tbat tbe young man, wav
ing hi bund to his companions, turned
Into tbe court, entered doorway and
disappeared. .
"Of all our follies," said Colonel Oer
aldine In low voice, 'this I the wild
est and most dungerona."
"I perfectly believe so," returned the
prince. .
"We have still," pursued the colonel,
"a moment to ourselves. Let me be
seech your highness to proflt by tho
opportunity and retire. Tbe conse
quences of this step are so dark and
may be so grave tbat I feel myself
Justified -In pushing a little fartfier
than usual the liberty which your high
ness Is so condescending a to allow
me in private."
"Am I to understand that Colonel
Oeraldine I afraid V asked hi high
ness, taking hi cheroot from hla Hps
and looking keenly Into the other's face.
"My fear I certainly not personal,'
replied the other proudly. "Of tbat
your highness may well rest assured."
"I had supposed a much," returned
the prince, with undisturbed good hu
mor, "but I was unwilling to remind
yon of the difference In our stations.
No more no more," he added, seeing
Oeraldine about to apologise. "You
stand excused."
And be smoked placidly, 'leaning
against a railing, until the yonng man
returned.
"Well," be asked, "has our reception
been arranged
"Follow me," was th reply. "The
president will see you In tbe cabinet
And let me warn you to be frank In
your answers. I have stood your guar
antee, but the club requires a search
ing inquiry before admission, for the
Indiscretion of a single member would
lead to tbe dispersion of the whole
clety forever."
Tho prince and Oeraldine put their
beada together for a moment "Bear
me out In this.", said tbe one; "bear
me out In that," said tbe other, and.
by boldly taking Sip the characters of
men with whom tooth were acquainted.
they bad come to an agreement In a
twinkling aud were ready to follow
their guide Into the president's cab
inet.
There were no formidable obstacles
to pass. Tbe outer diss: stood open, tbe
door of the cabinet was ajar, and there.
In a small but very high apartment.
the young man left them once more.
He wilt be here Immediately," he
said, with a nod, as be disappeared.
Voices were audible In the cabinet
through the folding doors which form
ed one end; and now and then the noise
of a chanqngue cork, followed by
burst of laughter. Intervened among
the sounds of conversation. A single
tall window looked out Utnn tbe river
and the embankment and by the die
position of tbe lights they Judged theia
selves not far from Charing Cross sta
tion. Tbe furniture was scanty and tbe
coverings were worn to a thread, and
there was nothing movable except a
hand bell In tbe center of a round ta
ble, and the hats and coat of a consid
erable party bung round the wall on
PeK-
"Wbat sort of a den Is this?" said
Oeraldine.
"Tbat la what I have come to
replied the prince. "If tbey keen lire
devils on the premises, tue thing may
grow amusing."
Just then tbe folding door was open
ed no more than was necessary for th
passage of a human body, and there
entered at the same moment a loader
buzx of tstk and tbe redoubtable presl-
dent of th Rulelde club. The president
waa a man of fifty or npward, large
and rambling In bla gait, with abaggy
tide whiskers, s held top to his bead.
fr t ei VUWWimwm
The Kind Too nave Always
la use for orer SO yen,
III iuv mr vicr uv g fi
-J? ' - and
and
All Counterfeits, Imitations and M Juat-wa-srood are but
Experiments tbnt trill with, and endanger the health of
lXkmts and Children Experience araiust Experiment
What 16 CASTORIA
Gsstotia Is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil, lMro
' (orle. Drops and Soothing1 Syrups. It Is IMennanU It
contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Nurootlo
substance. Its age Is its guarantee. It destroys Worms
and allays Fererlahness. It cures Diarrhoea and Wind
Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation
' and Flatulency. It assimilate the Food, regulate the
Stomach and Bowels giving healthy and uaturul sleep
. The Children's Panacea The Mother's Friend.
GENUINE CASTORIA ALWAYS
Si
Bean the
The Kind You Haie Always Bought
In Use For Over 30 Years.
1IWSWTMMI
and s veiled gray eye, which now aud
then emitted a twinkle. His mouth
embraced a Urge cigar, which he kept
continually screwing round aud round
and from aide to aide as be looked
sagaciously and coldly at the stranger.
II wa dressed In light tweeds, with
his neck very open in a striped shirt
collar, snd carried a minute book Under
one arm.
"Good evening," said be, after be
had closed tbe door behind bus. "I
m told you wish to speak with me."
"te have a desire, sir, to Join the
Suicide club," replied tbe colonel
The president rolled hla cigar about
In his mouth.
"What Is thatr he said abruptly.
"Pardon me," returned the colonel.
"but I believe you are the person. Swat
qualified to give us tnformutlon on that
point." , ' .
IT cried the president "A Suicide
club? Coma, c mo! This Is e frolic
for All Fools' m : I cri'i make allow
ances for gentleiueu it ho get merry In
their liquor, but let there be an end to
this." . ., , I
"Call your club what you win.'' said
the colonel, "you have some company
behind these doors, and w kailac ,on
Join'" it"
"Sir," returned the president curtly,
"you have made mistake. This Is a
private house, .and you must leave tt
Instantly."
Th prince bod remained quietly In
, bis seat throughout this I'ttle colloquy,
but now, when tbe colonel looked over
to hlm, a much as to say, "Take your
answer and come away, for God's
i sake!" he drew bis cheroot from bis
mouth snd spoke.
"I nave come bare," said he, "upoa
tbo invitation of friend of yours. II
has doubtless Informed you of my uv
tentlon In thus intruding on your party.
Let me remind you tbat a person In my
circumstance has exceedingly little to
bind him and I not at all likely to tol
erate such rudeness. . I am s very
quiet man, a a usual thing, but, my
dear sir, you are either going to oblige
me in tbe little matter of which you
are aware or you shall very bitterly
repent tbat you ever admitted a to
your antechamber." -- - ... ,
xue preaiaem laugnea aioua --. --
"That la tbe way to peak.'' said be.
"You are a man who Is a aaaa. You
know tbe way to my heart and can do
what you like with m. Will you," be
continued, addressing Oeraldine. "will
you atep aalde for a few nuuteaT 1
hall finish first with yoar couipaulou,
aud some of tbe club's formalities) re
quire to be fulfilled in private." '
With these words be opened the door
Of a small closet Into which be shut
the colonel.
"I believe la you." be said to Florist
ss soon as they were aUwe, "but sr5
you sure of your friend r
"Not so sure as I am of myself,'
though be has more cogeut reasons,"
nawer4 Ftortsel, "but sure enough to
bring hlm here without alarm. Ha
bad enough to cure th most tetkScJoua
msn of life. II waa cashiered the oth
er day for cheating at cards."
' "A good reason. I dare say," replied
th president; "at least we bars a Both
er In the same case, and I feel sure of
him. IIsv you also bwe lu tbe serv
ice, may I ask I"
"I have." waa tbe reply, "hut I tra
too uiiy. I left It early."
"What la your reason for being ttrsi
.' lifer, pursued tbe president
"Tbe same, as near aa I ess make It
out," answered tbe prince "unadultesv !
ated iaslneaa."
The president started. "Dash It," said
be, "you must bar something batter
than thstr
"I have no more moyey." added Flor
Ixel. "That Is slso s vexation without
doubt" It brings my sens of Idleness
to sn scute point"
Tbe president rolled but dasr round
In bla mouth for some seconds, direct
ing hi gaxe straight Into tho eyes of
this unusual neophyte, but the prince
supported bis scrutiny with uoabaabed
good temper.
"If I bad not a deal of otpesleac,"
aid the president at last, "I soon Id
turn yog off. . But I know the world.
and this much anyway that th moat
frivolous excuse for s suicide are of
ten tbe toughest to stand by sad when
I downright like a man, aa I do you. air.
would rather strain the resntaftas
than deny hlm."
Th prince sod the colonel, ss after
the other, were subjected to s loof sad
V.WvW XVvv-Jl
Bought not) which brut Ioon
ium trwriao i
bM been mad
bat borne the signature of
DM been made under Lis per-
Since Its Infancy.
I to deceive you la thin.
Signature of
INTERESTING
When people are content iilntlnu; s trip
; whether on business, or pleasure,
they naturally waul Die beet service
obtsinalile as fsr as speed, comfort
ami safety is romerneil. Employ
ees o( tho WiM-onsin Central Lines
ate paid to servo the public and our
train operated so ss to nake el ose
onneelinn aith divcriii); lines ut
all junction points.
Pullman Palace Sleeping and Chair Can
on through traiua.
Dining Csr seivice unexcelled,
served s la Carlo.
Men!
In order to obtain lliia first class
. ask the ticket agent to sell
ticket over .
scrv ice
you a
THE WISCONSIN CENTRAL LINES.
Direct connections at Chicago aiei Mil,
waake for all Eastern points. . . .
For full information call on your m -a rent
ticket agent, or wile
Je. 0. Poun, or Jas. A, Ci.ot ,
lien. I'a. Agt., (innrral Agent,
Mllwaiikea.Wi. 24(1 Star
l'ertlaad Markets.
Wheal Walla Walla, 72.:; I.liicstem,
T7e: valley, 74,
Flour best grsdes, :i ,'!,r.(;l tir, ,M.r
barrel ; grahnm. :i 1o(.c$:t M.
Osts No. t white, $1 l'cufl 20 ; grav
$1 16 per cental.
Itarlev Yoml. 121 nor tun i
brewing, rolled, 22 per ton.
Millstoffe Hrsn, 23j iiihMHul's.
$27 ; shorts, $2:1 ;chop, $18
nay lluiuthy, $'AK3 2 clover, $17
But'ar Punev rreumerv 'W.;o-i...
dairy, nominal j store. 17c (n 18 per mn(
Che"" Full cream ta ins, lfi.lr 17'r;
Young American, I71cf IHjc per" pound.
Poultry Chickens, mixnl. !: i,i l:t. iu.r
lb. hens. 131 f,i 14i. nwMjt..r. im t. im.. .
rollers 16 (ft 17c, fryers, 14 ( ir.c, ducks
131 ( I4. Reese, ttj, turkeys, live 17c.
dressed Is luc per Ik
Hoge-UroM, heavy, $H50(37; light,
f4.if(i3; dresMxl, 8t8i,,c er pound.
Veal Small, 7J(rfSJc ; large, 7.7'c
per ounl.
Heef liross tor steers, f4..V'(5..r.O;
Hops 1(20 c per pound.
Wool VslleylftJwiticiKnstcrnOrc'M'n,
8 st 14 i tuohsir, 3i at MNc s-r pound..
PoUttue $.Ml 7 .ti() per sack
Onions 40, fiOe er cental ;
fhle sleastaf Is ea mry box of the rsnulns.
Laxative BromoQuininc Tablet
eM tm ewe any
particular Interrogatory, the prince
aloue, but G era Mine lu the presence of
tbe prince, so tbat the president might
cbsarve tbe countenance of the one
Whlls tbe other was Iieing warmly
cross esanilned. The result was" sat
isfactory, and tbe president, after bar
ing booked a few details of each ense.
psDduced a form of oath to be accepted.
Nothing could be conceived more pns
stvs thsn the obedience promised, or
mors striugent than the terms by which
th Juror bound himself. The man
who forfeited s pledge so awful coukl
scarcely bare s rag or bonor or sny of
the consolations of religion left to Mm.
Horhtot signed the document, but not
Without a shudder. The colonel fol
lowed bla eismple with sn air of grcnt
depression. Then the president re
ceived the entry money snd without
mors sdo Introduced the two friends
Into the smoking room of the Sulcldo
dub.
Tbs smoking room of the SiileMe
club wss the same height as the cab
inet Into which It opened, bnt much
Issger, snd papered from lop to bot
tom with as Imitation of oak wainscot
A large and cheerful fire and numb.
of g Jet Illuminated tbe company
Th prince and bis follower made the
amber op to eighteen. Host of the
party were smoking and drinking
tbsmpstns, X feverish hilarity reign
ed, with suddes and rather ghastly
USUI
T" be Vontinwtl.