Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-11-30
quick, for Father scyscn viii be here soon

.SS..OA ~ .'SAA
Philip was soon dressed, and followed
Anime down into the parlor. Tho sun
shone bright, and its rays darted upon tho
haggard face of the old man, whose fists
were clinched, and his tongue fixed be.
tween the teeth on one side of his mouth.
Alas! this room appears to be fatal.
How many moro scenes Of horror are tc
pass within itp"
"None, trust, =" replied Anime; "this
is not, to my mind, the scene of horror.
1t was when that old man NOV called
away-and victim to his own treachery)
stood by your bedside, and with every
mark of interest and kindness, offered you
the cup-that was tho scene of horror, !"
said Anime, shuddering-s'o ono which long
will haunt me-
"God forgive hsml as I do replied
Philip, lifting up the body, and carrying
1t up the stairs to the room which had
been occupied by Mynheer Poots.
Let it Mt least be supposed that he died
in his bed, and that his death was nat.
ural, said Anime "AIy pride cannot
bear that this should be known, or that /
~
murderer Oh, Philipn'
Anime sat down, and burst into tears.
Her husband was attempting to console
her, when Father Seysen knocked Mt the
door. Philip hastened down to open it,
"Good morning, my son. How is the
sufferer"
"Hc has ceased to suffer, father"
Indeed - replied the good priest with
sorrow in his countenance; Fam l then
too late? yet have not tarried"
He went off suddenly, father, in a con.
vulsion," replied Philip, leading the way
up stairs.
Father Seysen looked at the body and
perceived that his offices We're needless,
and then turned to Anime, who had not
yet checked her tears.
weep, my child, weep! for you have
cause said the priest. 1.-THE loss of a
fathers love must be severe trial to a
dutiful and affectionate child But yield
not too much to your grief, Anime; you
have other duties, other ties, my child
you have your husband"
II know 1t, father replied Anime;
"still must weep, for was his daugh-
ter
Did he not go to bed last night, then,
that his clothes are still upon him2 When
did he first complaint"
1.-The last time that saw him, father,
replied Philip, she came into my room
and gave me some medicine, and then he
wished me good night. Upon summons
To aftpn6 n sipls had 70
him, and found him speechless.'
1t has been sudden, - replied the priest;
"but he was an old man, and old men
sink at once. Were you with him when
he diedY
II as not. r." replied Philip; "be-
fore ny wife had summoned me and had
dressed myself, he had left this world
II trust, my children, for better"
Anime shuddered. Tell me, Anime"
continued the priest, "did he show signs
of grace before he dieds for you know full
we'll that he has long been looked on as
doubtful of his creed, and little attentive
to the rites of our holy church,
"There are times, holy father" replied
Anime, 'when even a sincere Christian
can be excused, even if he gives no sign.
Look ut his clinched hands, witness tho
agony of death on his face, and could you,
in that state, expect sign?"
Alas tits but too true, my child; we
must then hope for the best. Kneel with
me, my children, and let us offer up a
prayer for the soul of the departed.
Philip and Anime kneIt with the priest,
yyI n
they exchanged a glance which fully re-
yealed what was passing in the mind Of
each.
81 will send the people to do their offices
for the dead, and prepare the body for in
terment,' said Father Seysen; sbut it
were rs well not to say that he WAS dead
before arrived, or to let it be supposed
that he was called away without receiving
the consultations of our holy creed.
Philip motioned his head in assent as he
stood at the foot of the bed, and the priest
departed. There had always been strong
feeling against Mynheer Poots in the viii
lage-his neglect of all religious duties
the doubt whether he was even member
of the church-his avarice and extortion-
1Atio OlSltSo 1Ol lEilll d llOSU Ol cuGIUlcS,
but, at the same tilne his great medical
skill, which was fully acknowledged, rem
dered him of Importance. Had it been
known that his creed (if he had any was
and that he had died in
to poison his son-in-l law, 1t il,
certain that Christian burial would hav
been refused him, and the finger of scor1
would have been pointed at his daughter
But as Father Seysen, when questioned
said, in a mild voice, that she had depart
ed in peace, it was presumed that Myn
heer Poots had died good Christian, al
though he had acted little up to the tenets
Of Christianity during his life. The next
day the remains of the old man were con-
signed to the earth with the usual rites;
and Philip and Anime We're not little
in their minds at everything hav-
ing passed off SO quietly.
1t was not until after the funeral had
taken place that Philip, in company with
Anime, examined tho chamber of his IA.
ther-in-law. The key of the iron chest was
found in his pocket; but Philip had not
yet looked into this darling repository OF
ele oAo 1li'A. AAo ioou WAS lull OIL DOG-
ties and boxes of drugs, all Of which were
thrown away, or, if the utility of them
was known to Anime, removed to spare
room. His table contained many drawers,
which were now examined, and among
the heterogeneous contents were many
writings in Arabic-probably prescrip-
lions. Boxes and papers were also found,
with Arabic characters written upon
them; and in the box which they first
took up was powder similar to that