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


eyes with some difficulty. But that
amt ell. The heart had not been cut
out, or there was no sign of a cut on
the soldiers breast. DIR. Leighton thinks
that old Sydney and the Frenchman
performed some diabolcal experiment
on the young fellow"
Both men turned their heads and
looked at the stranger, moved by yet
unspoken fact regarding him. He had
drawn his black hair free from his
pallid face and was still staring at
them. They shrank closer to the VIM
dow.
Heaven above us" whispered stiles,
catching the landlords sleeve, "dtd you
ever see such q resemblance"
IF he isn't a twin to the young SOL
dier it's himself"
And see here. JOEL" stiles recalled,
with stiffening lips, its exactly fifteen
years tonight since the young fellow
died up there
'It is, by all that's-stand by me,
Lewie."
The stranger had risen and was COM
ing toward them.
Landlord" he said gruf1y, II can't
wait any longer. l will leave yonder
package in your charge and If young
man looking somewhat like me does not
come for it by II o'clock, l want you
to take II up to Sydney Greviston."
The landlord started in spite of HIM
self, and stiles captured an exclama-
ton upon his lips.
What are you frightened about?" the
man demanded. you know old sgd
ney. don't you?"
Very well, sir; very well. Shall I
give him any message?"
Say to him what you please, but you
are not to open the package. Now
| fetch me my horse and be quick"
Beggs gave the order, and while the
animal was being made ready the
| stranger stalked the room impatiently.
but did not once so near the two men
or speak to them. When the horse was
at the door he flung a coin upon a table
without asking for his reckoning, went
out and clattered away.
The landlord and Stiles stood in Won
der until the splash of hoofs died away
far down the muddy road; then, with
out a word, walked over to the table
and examined the package. 1t was
about eight inches long by four square,
wrapped in oilskin and securely tied
with a leather thong. At the knot and
the intersection Of the thong were red
wax waters pressed by a seal in the
shape OF a heart. Beggs lifted it,
found It to be of natural weight and
set it back upon the table. There was
nothing about it to suggest that it
was other than the ordinary package
carried by travellers.
II have an errand in the village"
said Stiles, but / will come back be-
fore H."
Yes, come back. Lewie. II | must
take the package up to old sydney, I
want you along. The matter may be
all right, but il has struck me as un-
common queer somehow"
Observing that he was himself anxi-
oGs TO see the end of the affair, stiles
went out and Joel resumed his pipe and
chair by the stove. The combination
of warmth smoke and silence proved
soporific. After a time he suddenly
started from sound nap, clutched al
his breast and sat bolt upright. He
had bsen aroused by one violent thunI
OF his heart He looked about, sus
lpecting that Stiles was trying to fright
en- him. hut the room was quiet, he was
lalone and the box still stood upon th
table. tVe settled back in his chair
only to spring to his feet as his hear
gave another extraordinary bound. HI
walked over to the bar and was there
frightened by an unnervins throb. Be
ing a man of spirit, however. he stooC
his ground and discovered that tn,
beats were rapidly increasing in mum
nd
was growing sickening. lie backed to
ward the door opening upon the rea
OF the inn and turned the brass knoll
with a hand trembling in unison will
the then rapid palpitation. The mo
mont he crossed the sill his heart re
sumed its normal action
Al that instant he heard Stiles ente
the tap-room. He called out to hin
to sit down by the stove and walt ;
few moments for him; then. holding
the door slightly ajar, watched TO Sc
If he should be similarly affected. II
sat but a few minutes before he sud
denly threw UP his hands and locke,
wildly around. He sprang to his feet
gripping his left side, ana Ned toward
, the rear door. his little body jerking a
the pulsations grew more alarming
The landlord threw open the door an
stepped into the room in front of him
stiles stopped short, dazed by hi
! abrupt relief.
} IT know what you suffered" Begg
said. 1T had it's grip on my heart
I few minutes ago. What do you sup
pose it ISL"
| THAT young soldier died up ther
= fifteen years ago tonight" said Stile:
as If reasoning to himself. There wa
| no heart in his body. The strange
4 that brought that package looked ex
Q actly like him. and there are heart
y shaped seals on it,"
D He turned about and looked at tn
j package to signify his conclusion, an
the landlord, coming closer to hin
e nodded his assent. With one aocor
g they walked slowly to the tabl'
;. Neither ventured to touch the pack
n age, but Stiles put his ear close to i
e He started uo, awe stealing over hi
y face as he motioned Joel to listen. II
g compiled. and sprang erect, saying:
e Il may be out of my head, Lewi
5 but If ever l heard heart beating
n hear one in that package"
e The first stroke of eleven from tn
h clock startlingly intercepted Stiles rC
= sponse.
mo one has come for this devil
affair" said Joel. after the vibratio
n of the last stroke had died away, ian
e / suppose / must keep my promise I
n the fellow that brought it here"
i Ought we to take it to old Sdyne
d when we know the awful effect it Pre-
L ducesY" Stiles considered.
d "Well, l want 1t out of my taverl
IS Well tell Sdyney about it and he ca
e do as he pleases with it,"