Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-03-03

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in it."
"What is it ?" asked her father, lansnilly.
al dreamed tha, under the pear tree in the
corner Of ,he garden there was an amount of
treasure concealed. If it had been only once,
should have thought nothing Of it but three
times is certainly singular"
Her father looked excited.
at is very singular" he said. Heaven
grant there may be something in it"
But do you give any credence to it, papa p
Al DO, and will tell you why. Ny grand
father was, in the latter part of his life, Of
disordered intellect, which betrayed itself in
the fancy that every one around him wanted
to rob him. During his illness sum o!
ca 900 in gold was paid him. This dissp-
peared. and was never afterwards discovered,
If it should happen that he got up secretly
and buried it, it would be most singular"
"Let us test the matter" said Isabel,
promptly. 81 will send for Mike Flaheriy TO
dig under the tree, and if anything is conceal
ed il shall he found.
do 50, my child, at once. II only we can
be successful, that bad man will be prevented
from doing US harm"
Mike Flahcriy was a laborer whom Mr..
Huntley employed from time to time in his
garden. lie lived in little cottage quarter
of a mile distant.
Isabel dispatched the servant for Mike
Luckily he was found at home, and came to
the villa Immediately. Isabel set him 10 work,
but did not tell him what she expected 10
find. So great was her interest that she stood
by while he dug AZ length, about two feet
below the surface his spade struck against
something hard.
"Bedad, it's big stone I've struck, I'm
thinking" he said.
"Dig carefully around it" said Isabel, "and
bring it up"
She waited with Il.concealed anxiety. At
length Mike exclaimed in wonder:
"Why, It's box, Miss Isabel
Lift it up, Mike"
ats powerful heavy, Miss" said Mike.
tugging at the burden
Bring il into the house, Mike"
This was done in few minutes.
"That will do. Now GIL up the hole"
Left to herself, Isabel, with a hatchct,
broke open the box, and was overcome by the
sight. It was full Of gold pieces. Her dream
had come true The exultation OF Mr.. Hunt
ley may be imagined.
"It is my grandfather's gold, he said.
"But it will not DO TO have such treasure IN
the house"
So the gold was at once transferred TO the
keeping Of the Richmond Bank. It was found
that it amounted to exactly four thousand
sovereigns.
Now we can pay this man and bid him
deflnce,' said Mr IIuntley, relieved.
Three days later Mr. Goodgc presented him
self at the Richmond villa.
"Well, Mr. lluutley," he said, "hayc you
thought better Of my proposal ?"
81 treat it with the contempt it deserves
said the old gentleman. a,
Then" said Goodge, turning pale with
rage, "IlI sell you up"
"Supposc pay yOu?"
But you can't"
al will give you a check on The local bank
this moment"
Have you funds there p asked Goodse,
suspiciously
"D) you mean to insult me ?"
"N.en," said the tafIlsd william, "then you
may pay me-"
Hold ~ said . new voice Il shall have
something to say first"
kll parties turned at the unexpected COM
maud. There stood young mau Of fine ap-
pcarance, who had just entered.
What docs this mean p he asked, looking
fxedly at the speaker.
Henry Faulkner exclaimed Isabel. 10
low voice; but ber cheeks glowed with Joy.
An explanation was given. 1t appeared
that GooIse had written TO Faulkner, volun-
tariy Offering to renew, and requesting him to
give himself 10 trouble concerning the promis-
DRY note. Then he visited Mr.. Huntley, and,
pretending that Faulkner had broken his en-
gagement, claimed his money. It was only
trick to secure the hard Of Isabel.
Goodge SUNK from the room, perceiving
that the game was up. Henry Faulkner re-
NAMED Before be left the house Isabel bad
made a certain promise, which was redeemed
three months later a, the altar. Her marriage
portion consisted Of the gold which bad been
Brought TO light, after fifty years concealment,
by the strange insirumeutaliiy Of her own
dream.
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Loudoun Items.