The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-09

must go. Good landlord, call a boy and
send him for the nearest doctor, and
then we must all haste to save him"
Eager to be relieved of any possible
blame in leaving the box with sydney.
Beggs summoned a boy, and bade him
tell Dr. leighton " come as speedily
as he could. The three then started UP
the HILL but the landlord and stiles had
almost reached the house before they
noticed that Francois had Jagged be-
hind. They found that sydney had for
tunately left the front door unbolted,
and they entered the hall. 1t was
totally dark, but having learned that
the old man had gone upstairs they
groped their way to the landing above.
They paused there, not knowing
whether to go forward or back along
the passage. Their hesitation, how
ever, was speedily ended by hearing
moan near them, and, guided by its
repetition they came to chamber
door, under which very dim light
shone
Reggs turned the knob and cautious
ly pushed the door open. The close air
that issued from within told them that
the room must have been unoccupied
for years. The light barely showed
bed in q corner with its tattered cam
opy, frayed chairs standing about, and
the ragged carpet upon the floor. Upon
the table beside the taper stood the
box, but Sydney was not visible. They
stood but a few moments, however,
before a deep groan called them in
haste to the bed. Old Sydney lay upon
1t, bent with suffering, gripping his
waistcoat over his heart and breathing
feebly.
They were relieved by hearing steps
coming rapidly up the stairs. Eager
for DR.. Leighton's arrival they both
hurried to the door and met him there.
"Old Sydney is on the bed there"
said the landlord, land I think he is in
a serious condition"
"Ah, that bed" said the doctor re-
placing the taper with a resh one taken
from his case; "it is the same the young
Revolutionary soldier died on"
Fifteen years ago this very night"
said stiles.
almost to the minute" added the
| doctor, going to the bed.
He parted the tattered damask hang
ings, held the taper forward and leaned
over. He instantly Strengthened, pulled
the curtains together and turned to the
two men.
TOO late" he said quietly.
Not dead" they cried together.
Yes; 1t is all over"
With a rapid explanation concerning
| the box Stiles went to IL and put his
| ear down.
1T is still beating fast he ex-
| claimed; come and listen. doctor"
DR.. Leighton complied, and at once
said:
1T is a perfectly natural heart beat.
This is q very dangerous affair and it
must be destroyed"
He took a lancet from his case and
| pushed it under the leather thong. He
was about to sever it, when an excited
protest sounded from the doorway. II
came from the French student, whose
footsteps they had not heard. He
rushed toward the doctor, crying:
DO not cut; it is mine. 1t was stolen
from me and brought here. 1t was a
diabolical plot, but you were in time
Yes, yes, tell me you were in time to
save Monsieur Greviston."
NO" said the doctor; "he is dead
I'm the same bed and in the same
young soldier fifteen years ago to-
night" said Stiles, glaring into the
mans eyes.
THAT has nothing to do with this
man. That was--Mon Dieu! what i
this! Help. doctor; help! I-Sacre!"
He was clutching at his heart IL
agony. He reeled about, and in a mo-
ment fell into large chair near him.
,nly, ha hpx ha
manded the doctor Fastening to the
sufferer.
Stiles putt his hands upon the box
but instantly sprang back from 1t
crying:
Il would not touch it to save tht
scound7el. Don't you do so either
Beggs. The thing gripped my hear
again"
Doctor Leighton sprang to his case
took out a phial and poured a few
drops OF a colorless liquid into a glass
After Stiles warning Boggs bent owe
the box, being careful not to touch 1t
He now rose up and caught the doc
tors arm.
Your medicine will do him no goo
now. The heart has stopped beating.
They turned quickly to the suffere
on the chair. He was perfectly still
his hands gripping the chair arms il
his last agony. The doctor bent owe
him, then returned to the table.
1T is as you say, JOEL" he quietl,
observed, putting the glass upon tn
table. He is dead. Now We will opeI
this package"
He cut the thong with the lancet an
unwrapped the oilslSin. A finely-pol
ished mahogany box was disclosed. II
raised the lid without difficulty an
took from it a bottle and held it clos
to the taper.
What is it >" asked the landlord.
"A human heart" the doctor replied
THE heart of the young soldier VIII
died here in this room fifteen year
ago tonight" repeated Stiles.
That we cannot tell" Doctor Leigh
ton responded, but his heart wa
surely missing. and circumstance
xnaEa ~ lilyaIy that this iS II