The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-01-15

gathering thickly. and even the search
ing light from the high arched
north windows failed 20 dispel the
gloom. for the winter twilight was al
most over and night was near al
hand. AZ a large oak table ga curious
table. whose branching feet were
formed By the twisted bodies OF SER
.ents with opened mouths and extend
cd fangs) drawn close 20 one OF the
windows a man was seated His finely
shaped head. with its long white hair
was leaned YEARLY against the high
carved back Of his chair and the mer-
ciless north light brought out clearly
and distinctly every feature OF his
strange face
on the table before him were
ranged a motley collection OF odd
shaped walls and TASKS filed with
various liquids. some OF which
cleaned like gems in the thickening
gloom. while others shown with a
wierd yellow light like a cats eye
in the dark.
His long. slender hands. like y-l-
lowed ivory. which rested on the
arms Of his chair. opened and closed
convulsively This was the only sign
OF life he betrayed.
Presently he began 10 mutter TO
himself in low tone:
Tonight, | will put il TO the
test-the final test-to-night, For
surely the Elixir has stood all previ-
Gus tests and now it only needs this
browning proof OF its infallibility.'
RE leaned over the table and lift
Ell a beautifully flask loving
~ in his hand The transparent
crystal. the fluid it contained. glowed
like gem-like some rare ruby
shining through a delicate mist!iAe
veil.
As he withdrew the stopper a drop
fell from il into his hand, looking
for all the world like a drop N blood
fresh drawn from some &c ; heart
He replaced the stopper at last. after
smelling and examining the fluid
critically. handling the flask as
gently as If he were touching some
living thing which was precious 20
him. And in very truth. the liquid
did seem 70 pulsate with some
strange life OF its own and TO gain
possession Of it he had spent many
long. laborious years OF his own life
Still with the flask in his hand he
rose and walked slowly 10 he
appeared lost in thought, not Motto
ing the noisy scampering Of the nice
behind the wainscOtiug as they hur-
ried away at his approach. and push
ing aside absent-miudedly a long
cobweb which in company with
others. huns from the ceiling and
brushed his cheek as he passed
along. The room. overlaid with
dust as ii was. seemed 10 belong 10
the past and not 20 the busy present,
and he. this old German doctor Of met
apnysics. its sole occupant, was in
harmony with his surroundings.
Pushing aside tho mOth-ed-er dam
ask curtain which hung over the wall
before him. he pressed his fingers upon
the carved mead Of an Arad ~ that
formed part of the walnscOting. In
answer to his light touch panel Of tn,
wall slid aside leaving a large aper-
ture in its place. He passed through.
and. closing the secret door behind
him. entered the room which lay be-
yond.
IL was indeed a ~trarGe place anu
presented almost the aspect OF a
mausoleum. The room was Octagon-
Al in shape and windowless, while
the walls were carved in panels
which extended from floor 70 ceiling,
with narrow gratings al the top 90
admit air The hum OF the busy world
without these quiet walls sounded
mu.ned and far-away. And the noise
Of the heavy wagons rafting over the
rough cobble stones OF the old German
city did not disturb the reverie OF the
man who had just entered that silent
room. II was lighted by a globe-like
lamp OF crimson Bohemian glass which
swung by slender chains from the
center Of the ceiling. and directly un-
der il stood the object upon which tbs
old mans gaze was riveted.
on a long. low couch. like a bier
draped all in ruby velvet. which huns
In soft folds 10 the dark polished oat
floor. stood an ivory casket. the only
furniture the room contained. Th'
doctor approached It sortly. as 1
fearing 10 disturb the woman wh'
Law within IT, Like some rare STATUE
or like the far-famed sleeping prin
cess OF the fairy tales. she lay Their
with closed eyes and fast-shut lips
her long curling lashes casting
shadow on the whiteness Of he
cheeks. seeming as II in gent
SUMMER NAW4EM AfA HANNR 90 AAAA-
which knows no waking Her whit
silk robe loft the round white throa
exposed on either side from her per
feet face and rippled in shinin
masses TO her feet The lamp abov
her cast a faint glow on her fair fac'
giving IL almost a semblance OF life.
The doctor sank on his knees be
side her and drew a strand Of he
shining hair across his lips.
"Oh. my perfect one, my sweet
heart" he murmured. passionatell
who would dream that you ha
slept like this for 80 long years
Those credulous fools who saw 20
die on our wedding day when tha
fatal valve gave way in your hear
and who think you are buried in n
old cemetery on the hill. what wou
they think Of my powers and IL
knowledge Of the black art now
How reverently they carried ths
casket filed with nothing but stone
TO its last resting place under n
pines Did they think ! would i
YOU 20 away from me like that m
love. my life? All, no. brougi
you back 70 the home which was
have been yours. and by the aid Z
some rare old remedies which | ha
learned from my master. DR. Fau
tpe who rraa "a INST ~ aafar in the,