The Human Vampire; Or, The Elixir of Life — page 19: what you’re looking at

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Vol. 1. No, 81, THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. 19 contained in a small medicine chest. It was not swallowed, but Injected into the veins by means of a hypodermie syringe, After making use of the elixir, the hot bath, and administering brandy, the dead man came to life again.” “He did?” ‘‘ He did. It was a long process, however. I saw that Gregory was beginning to grow discouraged. Neither did the result sat- isfy lis master, when all that could be done was done. It was not entirely snecessful. The man looked very litile younger or better than he had done before his death.” *¢ And he was not satisfied?” “No. He looked at his own reflection in the mirror, felt his pulse, and said; ‘All bnta failure. I guess this is about the last time I dare try that.” “* He said so?” ‘© Yos. Well, we lived together for some time. He had told me his history, or, as I suspect, only a portion of his history. Ho had married a lady, whose fortune he had dissipated, and he was tired of her. Hy dying he had got rid of this woman. He was now prepired to woo and wed another heiress.” “« And he did so?” “Yes; but wait a little. He found the life essence, or revivi- fier, did not produce the usual results. In fact, in his ease, it had lost its value. In mine it was singularly successful.” ‘In yours! Then you used it also?” **T did, and dropped ten years of my life.” “Well?” “T see that you are incredulons, and I do not wonder. Neyer- theless, what I tell you is true.” ‘¢OFf what is this wonderful elixir composed?” “‘T have the receipt, but I find itno longer has the same power.” ‘«Pshaw! He never gave you the true prescription. He is such a treacherous scoundrel that he could not tell the truth if he tried.” “You know him well?” ‘Know him? Ishould say so, But tell me more of this mys- terious essence. You believe in it?” ‘“‘Tdo. I have felt its marvelous fire thrilling through every nerve and fiber of my being. I shall try it again under the same conditions I did at first.” ‘© What were those conditions?” “Death.” ** Why, you must be mad!” << Do not judge too hastily. I could not make the essay be- fore, because I had to work alone. When I asked his help, the infernal villain told me he would give me reasonable assistance. So, of course, under the circumstances, if was useless for me to try the experiment; not only useless, but dangerons. I began to dread him, I do not believe he would hesitate to bury me if I died.” ** You iknow too much, and ho would doubtless bo glad to get rid of you.” ‘tT believe so. Now you understand my motive for wishing to find an intelligent person in whom I ean trust. This is why I have told you the story. Will you come here as my housekeeper and assistant?” ob walle ‘« Bring your children. “You will?” “ Certainly. I love children.” “You already love these.” ‘What do you mean? I do not understand you,” “You will understand when you see them.” “Why you don’t mean to say te *° Yes, Ldo. They are Decker’s twins.” An unholy light sprang into his eyes. each other’s hands, I will make them welcume.” Silently they pressed CHAPTER XVI, GREGORY'S SUSPICIONS, Mr. Decker returned to Newport without having heard any tidings of the lost children. He looked thoroughly worn-out, his eyes seemed to have sunk far back in his head, and his face was sallow and wasted. He found his wife vary illin bed. She was a nervous, tive woman, whose life had heen one of ease and luxury. fact she had never known a care. Now that trouble had come, she wilted like a hot-house flower beneath the fierce breath of the feast king, She made no effort to recover her usual tone and vigor, she just gave way. To Mr. Deoker’s surprise he found that the only comfort his wife took was while Mrs. Vivian was with her. Lillian seemed sensi- In a a ee | to understand her better than any one else. She ministered to her comfort without disturbing her grief, or forcing her to rouse herself. ‘Lillian, stay with ma,’’ was her constant ery. “Tam willing todo anything for her,’ Mis. Vivian said to Mrs. Vanderclilf, ‘‘and she wou't want me when she has her husband.” So she absented herself as soon as Mr. Decker returned. The meeting between husband and wife was affecting. “Oh, Marshall,” she cried, ‘‘do not tell me that you have heard nothing of my darlings!” His face quivered convulsively. “My dear one,” he said, sinking on his knees beside the bed-. side, ‘*I can only hope.” ‘« And pray,”’ she whispered, very faintly, The next moment he had to sammon Mrs. Gordon. had fainted. ‘*How fearfully weak she is,” he cried, wringing his hands, *©Oh, if she also is taken from me!’ ‘Be calm, I beg you,” said the doctor, who at that moment entered the room." “TI know Mrs. Decker is terribly weak, but I do not think she isin danger. Any agitation at all is bal for her. Where has Mrs. Vivian gone to?” “She has gone to Mrs. Vandercliff’s,” said Mrs. Gordon. ‘« She did not think she would be needed now.” “‘T mast ask you to send for her at once,” the doctor ordered calmly, and under the circumstances his wishes were always earried ont. : Mr. Decker looked wretched in the extreme. His home was desolate, his heart and mind torn by anxiety regarding the fate of his infants, and now his wife addod to his misery by yielding to her trouble in this weak, helpless way. He turned away and weut out of the house, and descended by His wife /a flight of granite steps to the beach. It has been said that nature has moods to fit with those of all earth's children; certainly on that day the ocean seemed to sym- pathize with the tortured spirit of the wretched man who stood regarding its restiesslv tossing tide, It was dull, gray, and seemed hopeless as it sobbed upon the shore; the overcast sky, the monotonons roll of the tide all seemned to say: ‘‘It is useless to struggle; hope is dead; lie down beneath these cool waters and rest.” Forn moment he was tempted to accept the invitation; this man who loved life so well, was tempted to end his earthly ex- istence then and there, but the thought of his children held him back. ‘‘T must live a little longer to save them,” he said, as if in reply to the moaning sea. ‘‘They are in danger. it would be cowardly to desert them. Oh, my loved darlings!” With tears streaming down his face he turned away. Then followed days and nights of maddening suspense. De- tectives came and went, followed up clews which led nowhete, and produced lost children enough to stock a foundling asylum. Mr. Decker spent the greater portion of his time writing checks to defray the expenses of these would-be Hawkshaws. All of them were alike in one particular—they were all san- guine of success. That his children would be speedily restored to him, the anx- ious father had assurances strong enough to allay his fears, if he could have trusted to them. Unfortunately, snch was not the case; he wandered about helplessly and hopelessly. One day Dr. Salter met him on the stairs as he was on his way to Mrs. Decker’s room. ‘““Why, Mr. Decker," cried the doctor, looking shocked, I did not know you were so ill.” ‘*Neither am L” : *‘Nonsense, man! You look fifty years of age! This will never do. Let me feel your pulse.” Decker laughed bitterly. ‘‘Wifty years old, eh? I do not doubt it; I never look in the glass now.” Dr. Salter felt his pulse and looked sharply in his face. *‘Mr. Decker,” he said, gravely, ‘“‘you must pay attention to what I say, or you will be Inid on a sick-bed, Eat your meals regularly; I must see the housekeeper about what you eat.” “‘Tt is not necessary. I can give you the fullest information. T eat nothing.” “What! and you expect to feel well?” **T did not say so.” “You expect to feel ill, then?” “Tam not particular about it,”’ “*See here, my good fellow; this won’t do, I have my hands fall now with your poor wife.” comicbooks.com