The Human Vampire; Or, The Elixir of Life — page 12: what you’re looking at

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THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY Wolk No, 3h. Mr. Decker, was the re-incarnation of one Clifford Derwent whose funeral services I attended years ago.” “Great heavens!” ‘«But this man is different in one respect,’’ resumed the doc- tor, who, as he talked, was attentively stud ying Mr. Decker. “What is that?” “ Well, it is now twelve years since Clifford Derwent died. He was then about thirty-five years of uge. He would therefore now be near fifty,” & “Why, Mr. Decker does nof look more than thirty-five now.” ‘‘No. He is very like Clifford Derwent at the time of his death, but if Derwent were alive he would be a much older man.” As they talked Mr. Lohn strolled up, aud ose of the party in- troduced the doctor. ‘<T was quite surprised by the striking resemblance between your nephew and a man whose fnveral I attended some years ago,” said the doctor, addressing Lohn, “Tn Savannah? You mean Mr, Vivian's?” Tha doctor looked startled. ‘*No, Mr. Derwent's. In New York.” “Ah, Inever heard of him. There was a gentleman in-Savan- nah who bore astrong likeness to Decker. His name was Vivian. He is also dead.” ‘Then it seems to be fatal to look like Mr. Decker,” said one of the group, laughingly. ‘* These chance resemblances occur more often than one sup- poses,’ Mr. Lohn said, carelessly. “<The resemblance I speak of is too striking to occur very frequently. Ah, here is another person who was present af the funeral IT speak of,” “*Good-evening, doctor,’ said a quiet yoice. ‘* Why, is’ it possible that you have introduced this subject of funerals at a time like this?” nsked Mrs. Vandercliff. She smiled reproachfully, and spoke in a tone of reproach. “TI merely said that the sight of my host's face recalled that of Clifford Derwent, whose funeral I attended years ago.” “Have you observed the striking likeness?” . ‘*Tt was the first thing I thought of when I was introduced to Mr. Decker.” ‘And do you know that Lonise Derwent; and Lillian Arm- stead, us I always called her—Lillian Vivian is such un awkward name to say—are both coming here to-night?” “Nol Is it possible?” “Yes; you know both their villains of husbands spent all their money. Louise’s brother, Sidney Van Stretten, was rich, so it didn't matter to her; but Lillian Armstead’s family were poor. Her money came from her first husband, and Vivian spent that before he died. She is as poor as a church mouse, poor thing!” “And they are both coming here?” inquired Mr. Lohn. Mrs. Vuuderchi? turned to lim with uplifted eyebrows and a look of surprise. ‘Pardon me, madam,” said the old gentleman; ‘* I forgot that I hsve not yet had the honor of an introduction. Iam Mr. Lobu, Mr. Decker's uncle.” ‘Ah, indeed. Iam happy to form your acquaintance, was it you asked me?” *T merely inquired if the two ladies, whose husbands my nephew is unfortunate enough to resemble, are expected to join us to-night?” ‘Yes, Mrs. Decker is so hospitable; she said on her invita- tion card, Mrs. Vandercliff and party. Both the widows are visiting me, butmy carriage would not hold us all, so I came with my next door neighbor, Mrs. Chandler, and my guests fol- low me in my carriage.” ‘And you never met Mr. Decker before?” “No; I’ve just returned from Europe. I called on Mrs. Decker, for | regard myself as one of the habitues of Newport, apd she was not home. So I had not the pleasure of seeing either Mr. or Mrs. Decker until to-night, when, ike every one else, I was struck by the extraordinary likeness he bears to Mr. Vivian and Mr. Derwent. He looks as if he might be either of those men, providing time had been kind enongh to stand still with them,” ‘‘Tt will be interesting to witness their meeting with him,” said the doctor. Mr. Lohu looked disturbed, and a few moments later he made a move and joined a different group of guests. He soon left them and found his way to Mr. Decker’s side. ‘*Marshall,” he said, ‘‘ there are two women coming here to- night who may be much affected by the sight of your face,”’ ‘© Who are they?” Decker turned hastily at the whispered words, and asked his question in an undertonn. Mrs. Derwent sod Mra. Vivian.” What “Indeed? Well, Iam glad you told me.”’ “T thought it was best to put you on your guard.” Mr. Decker returned to his wife’s side, and just then a party came forward to greet the host and hostess. ‘he party con- sisted of a gentleman and three ladies. The man was Frederic Vandercliff, and the ladies were his mother, Mrs. Derwent, and Mrs. Vivian.” Mrs. Vivian’s eyes rested on the face of her host for a moment, with startled inquiry. She thon turnod quietly to Mrs. Decker, and replied to ber greeting. Mrs. Derwent uttered a long scream, then fell unconscious on the floor. CHAPTER XI. MR. DECKER 1S SURPRISED. The illness of Mrs. Derwent and ifs cause made a flutter of excitemeut. Much sympathy was expressed for the poor lady who bad been so ovecome by the sight of the man’s face who so closely resembled her dead husband. ‘© Poor Lonise!” said her friend Mrs. Vivian—‘“ she is so weak and nervous.” ‘“<ft is a wonder the shock did not affect youalso. I hear that Mr. Decker looks very like your husband,” said Dr. Salter to Lillian, later in the evening. *« He does.” ‘*Perhaps you were prepared to meet Mr. Decker?” the doctor persisted. He was somewhat curious. ‘*No; no one told me the man looked like my late husband. I must acknowledge, however, that the first look of his face startled me. I wish I had seen him first, so that 1 might have warned Louise.” “Your nerves are evidently stronger than Mrs. Derwent's.” ‘‘Yes, fortunately for me. Louise is a strange woman, I call her s mass of inconsistencies. She is so sensitive, so full of heart. Just now she is a spiritualist, and holds interviews with the dead. She has a medium living in the house. You know that sort of thing is fashionable.” “«But why do you call her inconsistent on that account?” ‘*Oh, because I am a woman, and can’t carry on an argument, I mean a woman to her mental make up, if sincere, would not treat Sidney Van Stretten as she does.” ~* How does she treat him?” Perhaps the doctor had uot forgotten his old romantic attach- ment for Louise Van Stretten. At any rate, he felt annoyed by Lillian’s frank criticism of his friend. «*She does not bestow one thought on him. Ho is neglected in his own house, and when he was very ill last winter, went to a hospital.” ‘*@ood Heaven!” **Yes; and while he was there ten days pnssed by before slic called to see him. I went to her to learn how he was, and was horrified to find she did not know.” “‘T am surprised,” was all the comment the doctor felt like making. ‘‘No doubt you are. All this does not agree very well witli her affectation of a loving nature.” ‘*No, it certainly does not.” ‘Poor Sidney, he is so gentle, so unassuming, he never utturs acomplnint. His servants neglect him. Why, Mrs. Derwent's maid, Mrs. Derwent's nurse, are far more important people in the house than Mr. Van Stretten, and his money is all that stands between them and beggary.” **He has acted a noble part,” ‘Hig saerifice has not been nppreciated.” “Well, I shall have a little talk with Mrs. Derwent, and think I can bring her to a sense of what is right, Sidney is a good man and deserves better treatment.” «‘ What a cold-hearted woman Lillian Vivian is,” said the doe- tor afew minutes Jater, to Mrs. Vandercliff. ‘You think so?” “Ves. See how Mrs. Derwent was overcome by her feelings when she saw Mr. Decker, while Mrs. Vivian never changed color,” ‘‘Fuillian does not wear her heart upon her sleeve.” “T do not think she has one to wear.” “No, bnt you believe Louise has: very well, doctor, women were made on purpose to puzzle men since time was young.” With this eniematic remark, Mrs. Vandercliff turned away, and the doctor went to seek consolation from Mrs. Derwent. As was but natural, the servants soon heard of the strange in- terruption to the festivities at Bleak Point. Mrs. Vandercliff's maid had accompanied her mistress to the reception and had waited npon Mrs. Derwent whileshe rested in ‘tiie dressing-rooin after her swoon. Comicbooks.co