Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-01-12

De the tarnlSned UNIFORM worn Dy the
| old officer-coatee, helmet, sword and
| belts gorgeous with ornamentatlon, a
| pair OF pistols with silver butts. and a
small flag of faded silk and gilt stuff
were grouped over 4 gold-embrodered
| saddle and furnished shabrack Of
| Indian work.
Here, too, was one oft he Indian fig
| ures of Buddha crouched upon an
| enormous bracket at this side of the
room, looking in the obscurty like a
| living watcher of the dead, in an at
.itude of contemplation or prayer
Ramo stood in the silent room
holding the silver candlestick above
! statue, so much in keeping was he in
his garb and color with the sur
rOundings.
But he was keenly watching every
one the while, and taking his cue from
a mute question addressed by Mr..
| Critics eyes to Paul Capel he walked
solemnly to the head of the heavily
! hung bed, softly drew back one cur
| tain, and held the candle over his dead
| masters mortal remains.
Paul Capel felt a natural instructive
shrinking from approaching the bed;
| but he did not hesitate, stepping for
ward with reverence; and even then
his heart gave a throb of satisfaction
that one of his female companions
should have calmly stepped to his
side.
Lying there as in a dark ened tent,
with a couple of indian tulwars crossed
| upon the beds head, was a perfectly
plain oaken coffin of unusual size and
without the slightest ornamentation,
save that on the lid resting against the
side was Il brass breastplate bearing
the dead mans name, age, and the
date OF death.
Within wrapped in rich robe of
Indian fabric, glittering with flowers
| wrought in gold thread-lay the
colonel. his face visible, and present
ing to those who gazed upon it for the
first time the fine features Of the
old soldier, with his closely cut gray
hair, ample beard, and the scars of
two sword-cuts across his brow and
cheek.
There was no distortion. The old
man, full OF days, lay calmly asleep,
and Paul Capel bent down and kissed
the icy brow.
forward, and, as he gave way. imi-
tated his action, when to his surprise,
he saw that 1t was not Katrine Den
ghien, but Lydia.
a low sigh fell upon their ears as
they were leaving the beds head and
Paul raised his eyes to see that the
old Indian was watching; and in the
raise portion of Lydias dress and
hold 1t to his lips,
Drawing back they gave place to
Katrine and Gerard Arts who walked
! to the beds head, stood for moment
or two, and then, as IL moved by the
same impulse, both drew away. The
old Indian stepped back with his can
dlestick, the polished silver of which
seemed to glimmer and flash in the
gloom. the heavy curtain fell in its
funereal folds, and the group turned
to Mr.. Critic.
The old man said few words TO
, Ramo, who crossed the room to the
dressing table, taking one by one the
candlestcks and placing them in Paul
and Lydia's hands; after which he
took those from the chimney-piec to
give TO Katrine and Gerard Arts, the
old lawyer taking the one the Indian
had carried.
| This done, Ramo walked softly to
| The curtain that covered what seemed
! 70 be the second door, and again
there was the thrilling sound as the
rings swept with low rattle over the
| rod, laying bare a strong iron door
| deep down in a narrow-arched portal
Opening his silken robe, he drew
out three keys OF curious shape, al
| seemed to be round his waist, and
| cached To stout steel chain when
softly placing one of them in the lock
he turned i; easily. when series OF
bolts shot back with a loud clang
Then taking out the key, he pressed
| the door with his shoulder, and It
swung slowly and heavily open. APP
| parently requiring all the old mans
| strength 10 throw 1t back.
Iron, and of great thickness" said
Mr.. Critic. in low voice. Mr.
Capel, shall | lead the way"
| The colonel's heir bowed; and,
candle in hand the old lawyer passed
! through the doorway Ramo holding
back the curtain, and standing like
the guardian of the place.
They saw Mr.. Grtle take couple
of steps forward, turn sharply, and
descend: and as Paul Capei followed
he found that to his left were half a
dozen broad stone stairs, fanked by 4
heavy balustrade, and that the old
lawyer was standing below. holding
up his light.
The next minute, as they reached
the floor of what seemed 20 be a good
sized chamber. there was tho sound of
the curtain being drawn as II 10 shut
| them in, and Ramo came Sasslv down
the little flight OF steps, Ia stand at a
! distance with reverent mien.
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