San Saba County news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1874-19??, 1892-12-23

pride. l decided to kill the maiden, so
sent word TO her secretly to escape at
the first opportunity. A silllen ladder
was given to her, and she was care
fully instructed as to its use and how
to fasten it TO the window She pre-
pared for flight Then arranged an
Infamous trap for her. Listen, Robert,
listen, had the stones of the window
sill loosened, so that it would give way
beneath her weight, carrying the I'M
fortunate girl with it as it fell, and She
would bc dashed to pieces upon the
marble floor of the courtyard below.
1T was Christmas: That night
fell asleep in the fear Of God. Then
was trans ported TO an immensely Of
clouds I1numers bic arches followed
each other in never ending succession.
Beneath these arches small golden
lamps We're swinging gently TO and
fro. so numerous that it would have
taken years to count them Some burst
suddenly into fame. others We're as
suddenly distinguished Some burned
with a fierce light. others fickered for
long time before they died out com
pletely
Each one Of these lamps was guard
ed Icy an angel All the new lamps
were tended hy fair white angels
with faces Of unspeaka bic beauty; by
others stood black angels, ugly and
evil looking, and those seemed to
await with iinpaticuce the moment
when the flame should be finally extin-
guishcd.
"-Wh4t is all thisg asked my
guide
These lamps arc the souls of men,
he replied. Tho ones which start sud-
denly into famc are the souls OF new
born infants. and spotless angels
guard them Here are the souls Of
those who have reached the time Of
life when they can think for them
selves, and the Spirit OF Evil and the
Spirit of Good dispute their possession.
Those lamps which are Pickering and
fading out are the souls of the dying.
See" he cried pointing out several
flames which were on the point of ex-
tinction. see, at the supreme moment
the soul almost always turns to the
Spirit Of Good,
Then asked him to show me my
own lamp.
Come said the strange being who
conducted me
Leading me on through innumer-
able arches. we went on and on for
long time Then stopping suddenly,
See he said. Behold thy soul.' I
was petrifed with terror. One single
drop of oil remained in my lamp, and
over it lowered an angel with coal
black wings. who blew upon the fame
to make it burn out more quickly. I
was in mortal fear. and | was 4 cow
ard. YES. was a coward, So said the
Duke. trembling violently.
Listen. Robert. listen! Beside my
lamp burned another with steady
and brilliant fame. white-winged
angel watched over the golden vessel.
The Split OF Evil came and whispered
in ny ear.
The old Duke ceased. 1t seemed as
if he heard the spirits voice at that
moment His eyes were bloodshot.
his hair stood on end with fright and
his teeth Chartered He continued, IN
d hoarse voice.
The white-w;nged angel looked at
me sadly. but the black KEEP: whisper
ing IN my ear. saw nothing; would
see nothing. From the black angels
wing plucked feather, and Dipping
ii into the brilliant lamp took the oil
out drop by drop and let it tali into
my own. My flame became brilliant
and -ed as blood; the other grew paler.
but retained lis starry brightness.
Only one drop Of oil remained. and the
white angel stretched forth his wing
TO stop me. but another with wings
cleaning like mother OF pearl and
bearing a golden sword came TO US
Let the man do his will. God viii
Judge him!' ne said. Then took the
last drop of oil.
Then was afraid. Whose lamp
IS this?' l asked. pointing to the fame
IS hich was just on the point of going
nut. And the voice replied, 1t is the
soul of thy beloved SON At that mo-
nent the fame went out. The white
nigel tool, the soul in its wings and
dew away with cry Of grief, but the
spiri, of Evil responded with a loud
ny Of triumph
Il awollc frozen stiff with horror.
Two corpses were stretched ont ,inon
.he floor OF my room crushed almost !
'ut of human shape My son, notified |
by his betrothed, had wished to pro- !
Get her in her flight, and the dreadful |
rip which had set for her had killed |
hem both. II was Christinas-twenty |
'cars ago."
The old man fell back in his chair +
he tears streaming down his face