The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1892-12-23
son was faithful to his word, to my

son was faithful to his word, i to my
pride. decided to kill the maiden, so
sent word TO her secretly to escape ut
the first opportunity. A silkcn ladder
was given TO her, and she was care
fully instructed as 10 It's use and how
to fastcn II To tine window. She pre-
pared for flight. Then arranged nm
infamous trap for her. Listen, Robert!
listcn' had the stones OF the window
sill loosened, 80 that IL would give way
beneath her weight, carrying ;hc un-
fortunate girl with it as it fell, and she
would he dashed to pieces upon the
marble floor of the courtyard below.
~, was Christmnsl That night
fell asleep in the fear of God. Then
was transported to an immensely OF
clouds. lnnumerable arches followed
each other in never ending succession.
Beneath these arches small golden
lamps were swinging gently 10 and
fro, so numerous that IL would have
taken years To count them. Some burst
suddenly into flame, Others were as
suddenly cxtinguished. Some burned
with fierce light, others ilickered for
long time before they died ont com
plctcly.
Each one of these lamps was guard
ed by an angel. All the new lamps
were tended by fair white angels
with faces of unsrcalnblc beauty; by
others stood black angels, ugly and
evil looking, and those seemed 10
await with iinpatience the moment
when the fame should be finally extin-
guishcd.
"'what is all this?' asked my
guide.
".These lamps are the souls of men,
he replied. The ones which start sud-
denly into flame 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 eau think for them
selves, and the Spirit of Evil aud the
Spirit of Good dispute their possession.
Those lamps which are ilicl,cring and
fading out are the souls of the dying.
Sect lie cried pointing out several
flames which were ON the point Of ex-
,inction, 'scel Mt the supreme moment
the soul almost always turns TO the
Spirit Of Good"
Then asked hin TO show me my
own lamp.
"'Comc said the strange being who
conducted me.
Lending me ON through innuner.
able arches, we went ON and ON for II
long time. Then stopping suddenly.
Sect he said. Behold thy soul" I
was petriiied with terror. one single
drop Of oil remained In my lamp, and
over II lowered mn nngcl with coal
black wings, who blew upon the flame
TO make II burn out more quickly. I
was In mortal fear, and | was COW.
ard; yes, ! was coward, said the
Duke, trembling violently.
"Listcn. Robert, lls,cnl Beside my
lamp burned another with steady
aud brilliant flame; white-winFcd
angel watched over the golden vessel.
The Spirit Of Evil cnmc aud whispered
In my cnr."
The old Duke ceased, II seemed ~
II he heard the spirits voice NJ that
moment His eyes were hloodshoi,
his hair stood on end with fright aud
his teeth chartered. lie continued, In
honrHe voice.
"1hc whltc.wlngcd angel looked AT
me sadly, but the black kept whisper.
ing In my ear. ! Anw nothing; ! would
zee nothing. From the black angela
wing pluckcd feather, aud dipping
1, into the brillinn, lamp took the oil
out drop by drop and let /, fall Into
my own. My flame became brilliant
aud red ms blood, the other grew paler.
bu, retained its starry brightness.
Only ono drop of oil remained; aud tho
white angel stretched forth his wing
Ia stop me, but another with wings
cleaning like mother Of pearl and
bearing golden sword came 10 uN
'Lr, the man do his VIII God will
Judge hint he said. Then took the
lhst drop ~ oil.
''rhcn WINS afraid. Whose lamp
Ia ,his2' I asked. pointing "a the flame
which WINS Just On the point of going
out And the voice replied, IT IA the
soul of thy beloved son.' At that mo.
mrnt the iinmc went out The white
angel took the soul In la wings and
ilcw away with u cry Of grief, but the
Spirit Of Evil responded with loud
ury Of triumph
~ invoke frozen stii with horror
two corpses woru stretched out upon
the floor Of my room crushed almns,