Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-10-26


which has not been unlocked for years,
which must--will open; even if"-
eff what, my SOM"
II was about to say what should not
have said. Forgive me, father; 1 meant
that l must search that chamber
= 81 have long heard of that same cham
Der being closed: and that thy mother
would not explain wherefore know well,
for have asked her, and have been do
MED. Nay, when, as in duty bonnd,
pressed the question, found her reason
was disordercd by my importantly, and,
therefore, abandoned the attempt. Some
heavy weight was on thy mothers mind,
my son, yet would she never confess or
trust it with me- Tell me, before she died,
hadst thou this secret from herf''
81 had, most holy father"
"Wouldst thou not feel comfort If thou
didst conflde to me, my SOM I might ad-
wise, assist
Father, would indeed-I could con.
flde 1T to thee, and ask for thy assistance
II know It's not frcA curious feeling
thou wouldst have it, but from better
it is not yet manifest whether 1T is as my
poor mother says, or but the phantom 81
heated brain. Should it, indeed, be true,
fain would share the burden with you
vet little you might thank me for the
heavy load. But no-at least not now-it
must not, cannot be revealed. must do
my work-enter that hated room alorieo
Father, fear nothing. Ihave duty
to perform-a dreadful one, grant, but,
pray thee, ask no more; for, like my
poor mother, feel as II the probing Of the
wound would half unseat my reason"
II will not press thee further, Philip.
The time may come when I may prove Of
service. Farewell, my child, but I pray
thee to discontinue thy unseenly labor,
for must send in the neighbors to per-
form the duties to thy departed mother,
whose soul 1 trust is with God''
The priest looked at Philip; he perceiy-
ed that his thoughts We're elsewhere; there
was vacancy and appearance of mental
stupefaction, and as he turned away, the
good man shook his head
He is right" thought Philip, when
once more alone; and he took up the cabi-
net, and placed it upon the stand. "a
few hours more can make no difference;
will lay me down, for my head is giddy. /"
Philip went into the adjoining room,
threw himself upon his bed, End in a few
minutes was in sleep as sound as that
permitted to the wretch few hours pre-.
vious to his execution.
During his slumbers the peighbors had
come in, and had prepared everything 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
ought 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 shock him by the
shoulder.
Philip awoke, and, sitting TIP, perceived
the doctor standing by him.
"Well, Mynheer Vanderdecken," COM
menced the unfeeling little msn, $50 it's
all over. knew it would be SO; and
recollect you owe me now another guilder,
and you promised faithfully to pay me;
altogether, with the potion, it will be 81s
guilders-that is, provided you return my
VIAL"
Philip, who at first waking was confus.
ed, gradually recovered his senses during
this address
"You shall have your 81 guilders, and
your vial to boot, Mr.. Poots, % replied he,
as he rose from off the bed.
q "Yes, yes; know you mean to pay me
If you can. But. look you, Mynheer
Philip, 1t may be some time before you
sell the cottage. You may not find a Gus
toner. Now, never wish to be hard upon
people who have no money, and I'll tell
you what I'll do. There is something
on your mothers neck. 1t is of no value
none at all, but to asgood; Catholic. To
help you in your strait, 1 will take that
thing and then we shall be quits. You
will have paid me, end there will be an
end of it."
Philip listened calmly; he knew to what
the little miser had referred; the relic on
his mothers neck; that very relic upon
which his father swore the fatal oath. He
felt that millions OF guilders would not
have induced him to part with it.
Leave the house., answered he, alb
ruptly. "Leaye it Immediately. Your
money shall be paid :"
Now, Mynheer Pocts, in the first place,
knew that the setting of the relic, which
was in square franc of pure gold, was
worth much more than the sum dus to
him. he,also knew that q large price had
been paid for the relic itself, and aa at