Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-11-02
CHAPTER Nv.

Philip looked about him for some spot
where he might be concealed from obserya.
tion-where he might break the seal, and
read this mission from u world of spirits.
A small copse of brushwood, in advance of
grove OF trees, was not far from where
he stood He walked to it, and sat down,
so as to he concealed from any passersby.
Philip cnce more looked Mt the descending
orb OF day, and by degrees he became COM
posed.
1t is thy will, exclaimed he: cit is
my fate and both must be accomplished. +"
Philip put his hand to the seal-his
blood thrilled when he called to mind that
1t had been scaled by no mortal hand, and
that it contained the secret Of one in .iudg-
ment. He remembered that that one was
his father, and that it was only in the let
ter that there was hope-hopc fer his poor
father whose memory he had been taught
to love, and who appealed for help,
Coward that 1 am, to have lost so
many hours!" exclaimed Philip; lyon
sun appears as If waiting on the hill to
give me light to read"
Philip unused a short time; he was once
more the daring Vanderdecken Calmly
he broke the seal, which bore the initials
of his fathers name, and read as follows:
To Catherine.
One of those plying spirits whose eyes rain
tears for mortal crimes has been permitted to
inform me by what means alone my dreadful
doom may be averted.
Could but receive on the deck of my own
snip the holy relic upon which 1 swore the
fatal oath, kiss it in all humility, and shed one
tear of deep contrition on the sacred wood, /
then might rest in peace.
How this may be effected, or by whom SO
fatal task will be undertaken, know not,
On, Catherine, we have son-but no, no let
him not hear Of me. Pray for me, and now
iare"eli. l. VANDERDECKEN.
Then it is true, most horribly true"
thought Philip; land my father is even
now in living judgment And he points
to me-to whom else should he? Am I
not his son, and is it not my duty?
Yes, father!' exclaimed Philip, aloud
falling on his knees, "you have not writ
ten these lines in vain. Let me peruse
them once more"
Philip raised up his hand; but although
it appeared to him that he had still hold
OF the letter, it was not there-he grasped
nothing. He looked on the grass to see if
1t had fallen-but no, there was no letter;
1t had disappeared. Was it vision?-no,
no, he had read every word. "Then it
must be to me, and me alone, that the
mission was intended. accept the sign.
Hear me, dear father--if thou art SO
permitted--and deign to hear me, gracious
heayen-hear the son who, by this sacred
relic, swears that he will avert your doom,
or perish 10 that will he devote his days;
and having done his duty, he will die in
hope and peace. Heaven, that recorded
my rash fathers oath, now register his
sons upon the same sacred cross, and may
perjury on my part be VIII. with p6ns
ishment more dire than his! Receive it,
heaven, as at the last trust that in thy
mercy thou wilt receive the father and the
son; and If too bold, oh, pardon my pre-
sumption!''
Philip threw himself forward on his
face, with his lips to the sacred symbol.
The sun went down, and the twilight
gradually disappeared; night had, for
some time, shrouded all in darkness, and
Philip yet remained in alternate PRAYER
and 1neditationl
But he was disturbed by the voices of
some men, who sat down upon the turf
but few yards from where he was con.
cealed. The conversation he little needed;
put 1T had reused him, and his first feel.
ing was to return to the cottage, that he
might reflect over his plans; but although
the men spoke in q low tone, his attention
was soon arrested by the subject of their
conversation, when he heard the name of
Mynheer Poots mentioned. He listened
attentiyely, and discovered that they were
four disbanded soldiers, who intended that
night to attack the house of the little doc
tor, who had, they knew, much money in
his possession.
What l have proposed is the best"
said one of them; she has no one with
him but his daughter.
. value her more than his money!" re.
piled another; $50 recollect before we 90
IL is perfectly understood that she is to be
my property.
Yes, II you choose to purchase her,
there's no objection, replied third.
Agreed; how much will you in con-
sciences sake ask for pulling grip
II say 500 guilders, . replied another.
"Well, be it SO, but on this condition,
that If my share of the booty does not
amount to so much, ] am to have her for
my share, whatever it may be-"
THAT'S very fair" replied the other;
but I'm much mistaken if we don't turn
more than 1900 guilders out of the old
mans chest"
What do you two SAYS it agreed
shall Baetans have herP''
oh, yes, . replied the others.
well, then, y replied the one who had