Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-10-26
course to violence. So he called out in a

near me. Give me back what Won have
taken, and will do you no hurt; but If
you will not you must take the conse.
quence, for your life shall pay the forfeit
before leave this spot"
This speech was indeed very plainly
heard by Mynhecr Poots; but the little
miscr had recovered from his fright, and,
thinking himself secure, could not make
up his mind to surrender the relic without
struggle; SO tho doctor answered not,
hoping that the patience of Philip would
be exhausted, and that by some arrange
ment, such as the sacrifice of few gull
ders, no small matter to one SO needy rs
Philip, he would be able to secure what he
was satisfied would sell at high price.
Vandcrdccken, finding that no answer
was returned, INDUCED in strong invectivo,
and then decided upon measures certainly
In themselves by no means undecided.
There was part of n small stack of dry
fodder standing not far from the house,
and under tho wall pile of wood for fir
ing. With these Vanderdecken resolved
upon setting fire to the house, and thus, il
he did not gain his relic, he would at least
obtain ample revenge. He brought several
armfuls Of fodder, and laid them at the
door Of the house, and upon that he piled
the fagots and logs of wood, until the door
was quite concealed by them. He then
procured light from the steel, flint, and
finder which every Dutchman carries in
his pocket, and very soon he famed the
rf1a nj ba -,
columns up to the raftcrs of the roof,
while the fire ragged below The door was
ignited, and was adding to the fury of the
flames and Philip shouted with joy at
the success of his attempt
Now, miserable despoiler of the dead
now, wretched thief now you shall feel
my vengeance" cried Philip, with loud
voice. If you remain within, you perish
In the flames; If you attempt to come out,
you shall die by hands. Do you hear,
Mynhcer Poots-do you hear?"
Hardly had Philip concluded this ad.
dress, when the window of the upper floor
farthcst from the burning door was
thrown open.
"Aye-you come now to beg and to en-.
treat; but no-no," cried Philip-who
stopped as he beheld at the window what
seemed to be an apparition, for instead Of
the wretchcd little miser, he beheld one of
the loveliest forms nature ever deigned to
mold-an angelic creature of about 1e or
II, who appeared calm and resolute in tho
midst of the danger by which she was
threatened. Her long black hair was
braided and twined round her beautifully
formed head; her eyes were large, intense
ly dark, yet soft; her forehead high and
white, her chin dimpled. her ruby lips
arched and delicately fine, her nose small
and straight. A lovelier face could not be
well imagined; it reminded you of what
the best of painters have sometimes, in
their more fortunate moments, succeeded
in embodying, when they would represent
a beauteous saint. And as the flames
wrcathcd and the smoke burst out in col
umns and swept past the window, SO
might she have reminded you in her calm
ness of dcmeanor of some martyr at the
stake.
"What wouldst thou, violent young
man? Why are the inmates of this house
to suffer death by your meanss' said the
maiden, with composure.
For few seconds Philip gazed, and
could make no reply; then the thought
seized him that in his vengeance, he was
about to sacrifice SO much loneliness. He
forgot everything but her danger, and seiz
ing one Of the large poles which he had
brought to feed the fame he threw of
and scattered In every direction the burn
ing masses, until nothing was left which
could hurt the building but the ignited
door itself; and this, which as yet-for IL
was of thick oak ptank-had not suffered
very material injury, he soon reduced, by
beating it with clods Of earth, to smok-
ing and harmless state. During these
active measures on the part Of Philip the
young maiden watched him in silence
"All is safe now, young lady," said
Philip. God forgive me that should
have risked life SO precious. thought
but to wreak my vengeance upon Mynheer
Poots."
"And what cause can Mynheer Poots
have given for such dreadful vengeancep"
replied tho maiden, calmly.
What cause, young LADY, He came to
my house-dcspoiled the deadlock from
my mothers corpse relic beyond price. Z"
"Despoiled the dead!-he surely cannot
you must wrong him, young sir. -
mo, no. 1t is the fact, lady-and that
relic-forgive me-but that relic must
have You know not what depends upon
IT.
"Wait, young sir, replied the maiden.
II will soon return.
Philip waited several minutes, lost in
thought and admiration; SO fair creature
in the house Of Mynheer Pootsl Who
could she be9 While thus Illuminating, he
was accosted by the silver voice of the OBJ
ject of his rcveries, who, leaning out OF
the window, held in her hand the black
ribbon to which was attached the article
SO dearly coveted
Here is your relic, SIR" said the young
female; 81 regret much that my fathe,
should have done deed which we'll might
justify your anger; but here it is" con
tinued she, dropping it down on tn,
ground by Philip; "and now you may de
part
"Your father, maiden! can he be youl
father" said Philip, forgetting to take W
the relic which lay at his feet
She would have retired from the win
dow without reply, but Philip spoke again
Stop, lady. stop ono moment, until
beg your forgiveness for my wild, foolish
net. swear by this sacred relic, 2" con
tinued he taking it from the ground ant
raisil,cr Il To his Inns Mthat had I known