Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-12-11

| you, my son, said Fnther Matthias. ns
with difficulty he kept pace with the rapid
strides of Philip, who was now within a
quarter of mile of his home; "but still,
recollect that this is but transitory
world, and shat much time has ELAPSED
since you quilted this spot. For that rea-
son, l would fain desire you, if--possible,
to check these bounding aspirations after
happiness, these joyful anticipations in
which you have INDUCED since we quilted
the vessel. hope and trust in the mercy
of God that all will be right, and that In
few minutes you will be in the arms of
your much loved wife; but still, in pro-
portion as you allow your hopes to be
raised, so will you inevitably have them
crushed should disappointment cross your
path. At Flushing we were told that there
has been dreadful visitation in this land,
and death may not have spared even one
so young and fair
Let us haste on, father, - replied Philip;
what you say is true, and suspense be.
comes most dreadful
Philip increased his speed, leaving tho
old man to follow him; he arrived at the
bridge with its wooden gate. It was then
about o'clock in the morning, for they
had crossed the Scheldt at the dawn Of day.
Philip observed that the lower shutters
were still closed
They might have been up and stirring
before this, thought he, as he put his
hand to the latch Of the door, It was not
fastened. Philip entered; there was a
light burning in the kitchen; he pushed
open the door, and beheld maidseryant
leaning back in her chair in profound
sleep. Before he had time to 10 in and
awaken her, he heard voice at the top of
the stairs, saying, "Marie, is that the doc
tor?''
Philip waited no longer; in three
bounds he was ON the landing place above,
and brushing by the person who had
spoken, he opened the doc. of Amines
room.
floating wick in tumbier of oil gave
but faint and glimmering light the
curtains Of the bed were drawn, and by
the side of it was kneeling a figure which
was well known to Philip-that of Father
Seysen. Philip recoiled; the blood retreat
ed to his heart; he could not speak; pant
ing for breath, he supported himself
against the wall, and at last vented his
agony of feeling by deep groan, which
aroused the priest, who turned his head,
and perceiving who it was, rose from his
knees, and extended his hand in silence.
She Is dead thenl eAoidiancI r,.zlsf.
ono nv l.
hope. The crisis is at hand; In one moro
hour her fate will be decided; then either
will she be restored to your arms, or fol-
epidemic has consighed To thns suithhBts: fatal
Father Seysen then led Philip to the
side of the bed, and withdrew the curtain.
Anime lay insensible, but breathing heav-
lily; her eyes were closed. Philip seized
her burning hand, knelt down, pressed it
to his lips, and burst into paroxysm Of
tears AS soon as he had become some
what composed, Father Seysen persuaded
him to rise and sit with him BY the side
of the bed
"This is melancholy sight 10 witness
at your return, Philip" said he; land to
you who are SO ardent, SO impetuous, IL
must be doubly SO; but God s will be done.
Remember there is yet hops-not strong
hope, grant; but still there is hope, for
SO told me the medical man who has at
tended her, and who will return, expect,
in few minutes. Her disease Is a typhus
fever, which has swept of whole families
within these last two months, and still
RACES violently; fortunate indeed is the
house which has to mourn but one victim.
Iwould that you had not arrived just
now, for 1t Is disease easily communi-
Gated. Many have fled from the country
for security. To add to our misfortunes,
we have suffered from the want of medical
advice, for the physician and the patient
have been swept away together
The door was now slowly opened, and
tall, dark man, in brown cloak, holding
to his nose sponge saturated with vine
gar, entered the room He bowed his
head to Philip and the priest, and then
went to the bedside. For minute he
held his fingers to the pulse Of the suffer-
er, then laying down her arm, he put his
hand to her forehead, and covered her up
with the bedclothes. He handed to Philip
the sponge and vinegar, making sign
that he should use it, and beckoned Faith
er Seysen out of the room
In q minute the priest returned. 81
have received his directions, my son; he
thinks that she may be saved. The clothes
must be kept on her, and replaced If she
should throw them off; but everything
will depend upon quiet and calm after she
RECEIVERS her senses"
Surely, we can promise her that" re-
piled Philip.
1t is not the knowledge of your re-
turn, or even the sight of you, which
alarms me. Joy seldom kills, even when
the shock is great, but there are other
causes for uneasiness"
What are they, holy fatherf"
philip, 1t is now IS days that Anime
has rayed, and during that period have
seldom quilted her but to perform the du.
ties Of my Office to others who required 1t.
have been afraid to leave her, Philip, for
in her rawlings she has told such a tale,
even unconnected as it has been, as has
thrilled my soul with horror. II evidently
has long lain heavily on her mind, and
must retard her recovery Philip Wander
deoken, you may remember that would
once have had tho secret from you-the
secret which forced your mother to her
tomb, and which now may send your
young wife to follow her, for it is evident
that she knows all. Is 1t not tr1ep"
"She does know all, !" replied Philip.
"And she has in her dslirium told all.
Nay, trust she has told moro than all;
but Of that we will not speak now; watch
her Philip. Twill return in half an hour,
for by that time the doctor tells me the