Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-01-08

ity."
He leaned over the table and lift
ed a beautifully-shaped flask loving
Nv in his hand. The transparent
crystal. the fluid il contained, glowed
like gem-like some rare ruby
shining through a delicate mistlike
veil.
As he withdrew the stopper drop
fell from IL onto his hand, looking
for all the world like a drop Of blood
fresh drawn from some ones heart.
He replaced the stopper at last, after
smelling and examining the fluid
critically, handling the flask as
gently as II he were touching some
living thing which was precious to
him. And in very truth. the liquid
did seem TO pulsate with some
strange life of its own and TO gain
possession OF il he had spent many
long. laborious years OF his own life
Still with the flask in his hand he
rose and walked slowly to the
farther end of the long room. lie
appeared lost in thought not MOTTO
ing the noisy scampering Of the mice
behind the wainscoting as they hur-
ried away at his approach, and push
ing aside absent-mindedly long
cobweb which, in company with
others. hung from the ceiling and
brushed his cheek as he passed
along. The room, OVERLAND with
dust as 1t was, seemed TO belong TO
the past and not TO the busy pres
emit, and he. this old German doctor
OF metaphysics. its sole occupant,
was in harmony with his surround
ings.
Pushing aside the moth-eaten
damask curtain which hung over the
wall before him, he pressed his
fingers upon the carved head OF an
Ariadne that formed part Of the
wainscoting. In answer 70 his light
touch a panel Of the wall slid aside
leaving large aperture in its place.
He passed through, and, closing the
secret door behind him, entered the
room which lay beyond,
II was indeed a strange place and
presented almost the aspect OF
mausoleum. The room was octagon-
al In shape and windowless, while
the walls were carved in panels
which extended from floor TO ceiling,
with narrow gratings at the top TO
admit the air. The hum OF the busy
world without those quiet walls
sounded mufled and far-away. And
the noise of the heavy wagons
rafting over the rough eobble stones
Of the old German city did not dis
turb the reverie of the man who had
lust entered that silent room. II
WAS lighted by a globelike lamp OF
crimson Bohemian glass which
swung by slender chains nom the
center Of the ceiling. and directly I'M
der Il stood the object upon which
the old mans gaze was riveted.
On a long. low couch, like bier,
draped all IN ruby velvet, which hung
in soft folds to the dark polished oak
floor. stood an ivory casket, the only
furniture the room contained. Inc
doctor approached it softly, as If
fearing to disturb the woman who
Law within It. Like some rare statue
nr like the far-famed sleeping prin-
cess of the fairy tales, she lay there
with closed ewes and fast-shut lips,
her long curling lashes casting
shadow on the whiteness OF her
cheeks, seeming as il in a gentle
.lumber. though her sleep was that
which knows no waking. Her white
silk robe left the round white throat
exposed on either side from her per-
feet face and rippled in shining
masses 10 her feet. The lamp above
her cast a faint glow on her fair
face. giving it almost a semblance
of life.
The doctor sank on his knees be-
side her and drew strand Of her
shining hair across his lips.
"oh. my perfect one, my sweet
heart" he murmured, passionately.
@who would dream that you had
slept like this for 80 long years2
Those credulous fools who saw you