The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-07-18

whether the prophecies proved true o
not-and they wero most ridiculousl
absurd and untrue.
cat No. 81 Poplar-st st." said his uncle
after several moments of hesitation
She was to be consulted only ut night
But that was several years ago
"Tll go and see her tomorrow night,
said Paul. He was more nervous thai
usual that evening, and sat looking il
the fire for a long time.
"The boy is ruined" sighed his moth
er. Nothing will ever restore him t.
common sense or usefulness"
g" 1t is a long day until sunset" sale
her brother, quoting his favorite prov
crb.
The next night Paul put on his over
coat just after supper, with his last dol
lar i'll his pocket. His uncle had moi
been at home during the afternoon
Paul kissed his mother good-by once OF
twice.
Where are you going, my son ?"
"To make our fortune" he said. paily
as he ran out.
No. 81 Poplar-st. was soon found
Beside it was narrow, dark entry
lighted by a red lamp, which gave a
ghostly and murderous light. Paul
went up the winding stairs, and found
at the top door with placard, on
which was written with pen,
"MADAME DAUBREY, SEEREss."
Paul tapped. No answer. He tap
ped again.
Enter said hoarse voice.
He pushed the door open, and went
in. The room was bare of furniture,
except another red lamp, which shed its
blood glare over the gray walls, and a
black antique chair, in which sat tall,
gaunt woman. She was robed in a
loose, falling habit Of black from head
to foot. Her face, of which Paul could
see ittlo but the chin, was deathly pale
Now and then he caught glimse of a
pair of keen eyes, which he thought were
both fierce and threatening.
She did not bow nor rise. He remain
ed standing before her. The very as
sumption of authority which this impli-
ed impressed and awed Paul.
81 came to consult you," he stammer-
ed.
The black-covered head nodded. at
is unnecessary for you to explain your
self further. Your name is Paul Forbes.
You desire to know by what means you
may obtain certain treasure"
Paul was terrified. TIE other medi-
ums that he had consulted had never
told him actual facts.
"When do you hold seance!"
Now" in a hoarse grating voice. al
need no trumpery tables, or cards, or
DO you ask whether can
see into futurity? You have scar on
your shoulder beneath your clothes,
and an unhealcd wound below your
knee. If 1 can tell you about these
things that other eyes cannot see, you
can afford to trust me for the truth of
whatever else may say. Ask what you
will, and will answer"
"How am 1 to obtain the treasure ?"
said Paul, trying to speak boldly.
"How should l know what treasure
you mean? But pause. The figure
moved her hand slowly to her forehead,
for few moments, then took
It slowly down, and looked piercingly at
the terrified Paul.
"The pot of gold waits for you, enough
to give you fortune and power. Here
are the directions by which you are to
obtain it," She placed a small slip of
paper in his hand.
"On these conditions" she said, in a
hollow whisper, "that you solve the
mystery Of this paper alone. You are
70 receive no assistance in reading it; if
you do, all is lost. Bcgone! you are
Paul placed his money in her out
stretched hand, and went stumbling
iown the stairs under the red lamp.
The next morning by daybreak he
vas knocking at the door Of his uncle's
"What is this p showing him a paper
ull OF figures, lines, and diagrams.
Don't read it to me. Only tell me
What sort of puzzle it is"
The lieutenant raised himself on his
lbow, smothering yawn. at seems
o be mathematical puzzle, Paul; the
description of some locality, think. 1
Won't interpret it to you. 1t would
iced good typographical engineer to
% that. Where did you pick it up?'
Paul mumbled out something, and
A week after the lieutenant returned
0 his regiment. He noticed Paul busy
very night with his mathematics, and
is slate and pencil. The dream book
'as laid on the shelf.
Several months after, Mrs. Forbes
'rlting to her brother said
81 have something to tell you of Paul
'hich know will please you. Much to
~ surprise, he took the first prize in
lathematics at scheol last term. Find
lg prize-taking agreeable, 1 presume,
g has devoted himself to all his studies
18th renewed assiduity. But mathe-
latics appeared to be passion with the
Oy. He told me that he designed
udying typographical engineering, the
cry profession would have chosen for
i'm. l cannot tell you how thankful
II for his sudden change"
The lieutenant laughed, but made no
her sign.
He heard from his sister but at long
tervals, as he was stationed on the
ontier, but every letter brought ac-
'unts of PauPs incessant, steady labor
the one direction.
Whether the hope of the treasure still
'ged him ON, or whether he found that ..
athematics were his proper work, and
lat for which his talents and real
stes best fitted him, we cannot say.
ut it is certain that, at the end of three
Ears, he was ready to enter the highest
ass in Practical Surveying of the ,
olytechnic College.
A year later, Lieut.. Calderwood was i
ated in the door of his tent, when two !
three sfrnnnara daohod IN nna n