The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-02-01
PHANTOM SF1Tp
OR
Flying Dutchmdn.
~'N-BY MAREYAT
Flying Dutchmdn.


this world rejoicing! | have long heen
dying, Philip-and long long have
prayed for death"
And why so, mother?" replied
Philip. bluntly; Eve done my best +"
''You have, my child. you have, and
may God bless you for It. Often have
l seen you curb your fiery temper--re-
strain yourself when justified In wrath
Ito share a mothers feelings 'Tis
now some days that even hunger has
not persuaded you to disobey your
mother. And, Philip, you must have
thought me mad or foolish to insist so
long, and yet to give no reason, III
speak-again-directly.
The widow turned her head upon
the pillow, and remained quiet for
some minutoH then, as If revived, she
resumed,
II believe | have been mad at times
have | not, Philip? And God knows
] have had secret in my heart enough
to drive wife 70 frenzy. 1t has OPP
pressed me day and night. worn my
mind. impaired my reason, and now. at
last, thank Heaven! it has overcome
this mortal frame; the blow is struck,
Philip-I'm sure it Is. | walt but to
tell you all-and yet | would not
twill turn your brain as it has turned
mine. Philip"
Mother" replied Philip. earnestly,
II conjure you let me hear this killing
secret Be Heaven or hell mixed up
with It'll fear not. Heaven will not
hurt me, and Satan defy"
Il know thy bold, proud spirit,
Philip-thy strength Of mind. If any
one could bear the load Of such
dreadful tale. thou oouldst. My brain,
alas, was far too weak for it: and
see it is my duty to tell II to thee"
The widow paused as her thoughts
reverted to that which she had to eou-
fide; for few minutes the tears rain
ed down her hollow cheoss; size then
appeared to have summored esolutlon
and to have regained strength.
philip, 1t was Of your father would
speak. II is supposed-that he was
drowned-at sea.
And was he not. mother?" replied
Philip, with surprise.
"0h. noln
"But he has long beed dead,
mother?"
"No-yes-and yet-no,' said the
widow. covering her eyes. Her brain
wanders, thought Philip. but he spoke
again.
"Then where Is he, mother?"
The widow raised herself and
tremor visibly ran through her whole
frame. as she replied
In living judgment"
The poor woman then sank down
again upon the pillow. and covered her I
head with the bed clothes. as if she
would have hid herself from her own
memory. Philip was so much peralex-
ed and astounded, that he could make !
no reply. A silence OF some minutes
ensued. when, no longer able to bear
the agony Of suspense. Philip faintiy /
whispered:
'The secret, mother. the secret; |
quick. let me hear it. :"
Il can now tell all. Philip" replied /
his mother. in q solemn tone OF voice /
Hear me, my son. Your fathers dis
position was but too like your own.
on. may his cruel fate be a lesson to I
you. my dear. dear child. He was a
bold. daring. and. they say. first
rate seaman. He was not born here. 4
but in Amsterdam; but he would not \
live there because he still a6nered 10 4
the Catholic religion. The Dutch. you
know. Philip. are heretics. according TO
our creed. Ii is now seventeen years \
or more since he sailed for India N his
fne ship. the Amsterdammer. with a
valuable cargo. Ii was his third voy-
age to India. Philip, and it was to have
been. II ii had so pleased God. his last.
for he had purchased that good ship
with only part OF his earnings. and
one more voyage would have made his
fortune. Oh. how often tld we talk
over what we would do upon his re-
turn, ana how these plans for the fl-
ture eons0led me az the idea az his
absence. for I loved him dearly. Philip
he Was Slways good and kind 10 me
and after he had sailed. how hoped
for his return, The lot of a sailors
wife Is nor TO be enyied. Alons and
solitary for SO many months. watch
ing the long wick of the candle. and
.istsning to the bowling o. the wind
evil and scciaent-wreck
3na wiiowhocG. He had been roue
about six months. Philip. ana there
Was stiu 3 long. drs4ry year 10 wait
before ] c0uld expecs him back. One
nigAt yoa, my ehiiG. were fAss asleep.
yoU were NY only sol2cs. ny comfort
IN my loneliness had been watch
ms over yO1 in yOur slum6ers. yUu
smiled and half prcaOaneed the name
'g mother and AZ last Kissed yoar
unconscious lips. ard I knelt and
'raye1-praysd sor Gods Messing cr
rcu. my ehflt. ant rpo~ him too
little thinking. Al tAs time. tns. ke was
. horribly, - fsart1iiy crrssd
The widow rarSs,5 tor hreath. aua
hen resumed PAnip could not spsak
lis lips were sGn1sEsd. ar1 rs sxss /
tvetsG 1Po1 his EosAs-. As L. 3ssonr-
q hsr words.
i LETT yo1 and went aownssa.rs into
1At room. Fship. wAseA sines thar
lrsadf~l nsgAt has nsvsr hee. reopen-