Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/182

Rh himself to the basement room. He felt anxious about the old man, and wanted to see how he had borne the fatigues of the day before.

All was very still. The scent of the Easter lilies filled the darkness like incense.

"M. Alphonse?" questioned the concierge.

There was no answer.

"M. Alphonse?" He stepped to the low bed and touched the quiet form that rested there.

Then he started back.

The old lion-tamer lay sleeping the sleep no sound disturbs, and by his side, stretched at full length, lay the old lion.

They had died, as they had lived together.