Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-01-09

/ be the furnished uniform worn 10y the
| old off1cer-coatee, helmet, sword and
belts gorgeous with ornamentation, a
pair of pistols with silver butts, and
small flag of faded silk and gilt stuff
were grouped over gold-embroidered
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 obscurity like a
living watcher of the dead, in an at
! titude of contemplation or prayer.
Ramo stood in the silent room
holding the silver candlestick above
his head, motionless as another
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 throb OF satisfaction
that one of his female companions
should have calmly stepped to his
side
~r;,,r +Lo,o &c II, u do r1vnnnd tent
with 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 a brass breastplate bearing
the dead mans name, age, and the
date of death.
Within-wrapped in a 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,
4 and Paul Capel bent down and kissed
the icy brow.
When he rose his companion pressed
forward, and, as he gave way, imi-
tated his action, when to his surprise
| he saw that it was not Katrine DEN
ghien, but Lydia.
A low sigh fell upon their ears as
they were leaving the beds head, and
1 Paul raised his eyes to see that the
old Indian was watching; and in the
semi-darkness he saw him quickly
raise portion of Lydia's dress and
hold it 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 if 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 a few words to
RamO, who crossed the room to the
dressing-table, taking one by one the
candlesticks and placing them in Pau
and Lydia's hands; after which he
took those from the chimney-piece 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
| to be the second door, and agar
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, at
seemed to be round his waist, and
tached to a stout steel chain whicf
| softly placing one of them in the locF
he turned it easily, when series OF
bolts shot back with loud clang
Then taking out the key, he pressed
the door with his shoulder, and it
swung slowly and heavily open, ap-
parently requiring all the old mans
strength to throw it back
Iron, and Of great thickness" said
Mr.. Critic in low voice. "Mr
| Capel, shall I lead the way?"
The colOnePs 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. Critic take a couple
Of steps forward, turn sharply, and
descend; and as Paul Cape1 followed.
he found that to his left we're half a
dozen broad stone stairs, flanked by a
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 to be a good
sized chamber, there was the sound of
the curtain being drawn as If to shut
them in, and Ramo came softly down
! the little fight of steps, to stand at q