La Junta tribune., 1899-03-18
CHAPTER II

SttAft Ell II.
Philip Vanderdecken. strong as he
was in mental courage, was almost
paralyzed by the shock when he dis
covered that his mothers spirit had
fled; and for some time he remained
by the side of the bed. with his eyes
fixed upon the corpse, and his mind
in state of vacuity. Gradually he re-
covered himself: he rose, smoothed
down the pillow. the tears trickled
down his manly cheeks. He impressed
a solemn kiss upon the pale, white
forehead of the departed, and drew the
curtains round the bed.
Poor mother!" said he, sorrowful-
ly. as he completed his task, 'at length
thou hast found rest-but thou hast
left thy son a bitter legacy
And as Philips thoughts reverted to
what had passed. the dreadful nara
tive whirled in his Imagination and
scathed his brain. He raised his hands
to his temples. compressed them with
force and tried to collect his thoughts,
that he might decide upon what meas
ures he should take. He felt that he
had no time TO indulge his grief. His
mother was in peace; but his father
where was he?
He recalled his mothers words
"One hope alone remained" Then
there was hope. His father had laid y
paper on the table-could II be there
now? Yes. it must be- his mother had
not had the courage to take it up.
There was hope in that prayer, and it
had lain unopened for more than sew
enteen years.
Philip Vapderdecken resolved that
he would examine the fatal chamber
at once he would know the worst
Should he do it now, or wait till day
light?-but the key, where was It? His
eyes rested upon an old japanned cab
met in the room; he had never seen
his mother open II in his presence; it
was the only likely place of conceal
ment that he was aware of. Prompt
in all his decisions. he took up the
candle and proceeded to examine it,
1t was not locked; the door swung
open, and drawer after drawer was eX-
amined. but Philip discovered not the
object of his search: again and again
did he open the drawers but they were
all empty. II occurred to Philip that
there might be secret drawers, and he
examined for some time in vain At
last he took out all the drawers, and
laid them on the floor. and lifting the
cabinet off its stand he shook 1t. A
rafting sound in one corner told him
that in all probability the key was
there concealed He renewed his at
tempts to discover how TO gain it, but
in vain. Daylight now streamed
through the easements. and Philip had
not desisted from his attempts; at last,
wearied out, he went into the adjoining
room, threw himself upon his bed, and
in a few minutes was in sleep as
sound as that permitted to the wretch
n few hours previous to his execution.
During his slumbers the neighbors
had come in, and had prepared every
thing for the widows interment. They
had been careful not to wake the son,
for they held as sacred the sleep of
those who must wake up to sorrow.
Among others. soon after the hour OF
noon, arrived Mynheer Poots; he had
been informed of the death of the
widow, but having spare hour he
thought he might as well call as it
would raise his charges by another
guilder He first went into the room
where the body lay, and from thence
he proceeded to the chamber of Philip,
and shook him by the shoulder.
Philip awoke, and, sitting up. per-
ceived the doctor standing by him.
We'll, Mynheer Vanderdccken,'
commenced the unfeeling little man,
so it's all over. l knew II would be
so: and recollect you owe me now an
other guilder. and you promised faith
fully to pay me; altogether. with the
potion, it will be three guilders and
half-that is, provided you return M
vial"
Philip, who at first waking was con-
fused, gradually recovered his ser-2i
during this address.
(To be continued)
-------------------