The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-08-16

| uncle, alter several moments heslta
ton "She was to be consulted only
at night. But that was several years
ago"
an 90 and see her tomorrow
night" said Paul. He was more nerv-
Gus and unsettled than usual that
evening, and sat looking in the fire for
"a long time.
"The boy is ruined" sighed his
mother. " Nothing will ever restore
him to common sense or usefulness.
at is long day until sunset" said
her brother, quoting the iavorite pro-
verb.
The next night Paul put on his
oyercoat Just after supper, and his last
dollar in his pocket. His uncle had
not been at home during the afternoon.
Paul kissed his mother good-by once or
twice.
Where are you going, my son ?"
" To make our fortune" he said,
gaily, as he ran out.
No. 81 Poplar street was soon found.
Beside it was a narrow, dark entry,
lighted by red lamp, which gave out
a ghostly and murderous light. Paul
went up the winding stairs and found
at the top door with a placard, on
which was printed with common pen
MADAME d AUBREY, 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
bloody glare over the gray walls, and a
black, antique chair, in which sat tall,
gaunt woman. She was robed in loose,
falling habit of black from head to foot.
but the chin, was deadly pale. Now
and then he caught glimpse of a pair
Of keen eyes, which he thought were
both fierce and threatening.
She did not bow nor rise. He re
manned standing before her. The very
assumption of authority which this i'm.
piled impressed and awed Paul.
" came to consult you," he STAN
mered.
The black.covered head nodded. 1T
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. The other medi-
ums that he had consulted had never
told him actu Al facts.
"When do you hold a seance?"
"Now," SAID a hoarse, grating voice.
{" need no trumpery tables, or cards,
or machinery. Do you ask whether |
can see into futurity? You have a scar
on your shoulder beneath your clothes,
and an unhealed wound below your
knee. If can tell you about these
things that other eyes cannot see, you
can afford to trust me for the truth OF
whatever else | may S y. Ask what
you will, and will answer"
" How am | to obtain the treasure "
Said paul, trying o speak boldly.
How should | know what treasure
you mean? But pause" The figure
moved her hand slowly to her forehead,
muttered 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 o!
paper in his hand.
"On these conditions" she said, in a
hollow whisper, :" that you solve the
mystery of this paper alone. You are to
receive no assistance in reading it; if
you do all is lost. Begone! you are an
swered.'
Paul placed his money in her out
stretched hand and went stumbling
down the stairs under the red lamp.
The next morning by daybreak he
was knocking at the door of his uncle's
chamber.
4" What is this ?" showing him paper
full 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
elbow, smothering yawn. " 1t seems
TO me a mathematical puzzle, Paul the
description ofsome locality, | think.
won't interpret it TO you. 1t would
need a good Typographical engineer to
do that. Where did you pick it up ?"
Paul mumbled out something, and
disappeared.
TO his regiment. He noticed Paul busy
every night with his mathematics, and
his slate and pencil. The dreem book
was laid on the shelf.
Several months after, Mrs. Forbes
writing to her brother, said:
have something to tell you of Paul
which | know will please you. Much
to my surprise, he took the first prize in
mathematics at school last term. Find
ing prize.taking agreeable, presume
he has devoted himself to all his studies
with renewed assiduity. But mathe
MATES appear to be a passion with the
boy. He told me that he designed
studying Typographical engineering, the
very profession | would have chosen
for him. ! cannot tell you how thank
full | am for his sudden change"
The Lieutenant laughed, but made nc
other sign.
He heard from his sister but at lon 8
intervals, as he was stationed on the
frontier, but every letter brought &C
counts of Paul's incessant, steady labor
in the one direction.
Whether the hope of the treasur,
still urged him on, or whether he found
that mathematics were his proper work
and that for which his talents and rea
, tastes best fitted him we cannot s.v Bu