Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-03-01

convenient lot you W pay In1s 1oney!
1T is not
Suppose we compromise, them
I'll let you off on certain condi-
tion.
Name it, sir said the old gentle
man, considerably surprised.
We'll, there's no use in beating
around the bush. I often come down
to Richmond, and I've known your
daughter by sight for some time,
though perhaps she HASN'T noticed
me. She suits me. If she'll promise
to become Mrs. Goodge you shall
have no more trouble about this mon
ey.'
DO you mean to insult me, sir?'
demanded Mr.. Huntley, incensed.
Insult you 7 I should think not.
I only ask your daughters hand, and
promise to pay $4,000 for it. l can
ma ntain her in good style. I've made
a heap Of money by discounting, and
I am not in much danger Of the work
house. he added with a chuckle.
Isabel gazed with terror and dis
gust at the coarse man. who had the
effrontery to think Of her as his wife.
Mr.. Huntly, feeble as he was, rose
to his feet; and supported by his
trembling limbs, pointed to the door,
saying, Leave my house, sir, ? Soon
er than my daughter should marry
you, I will end my days in the place
l have Just mentioned
oh, you are on the high horse, are
you?' said Goodge, sneerihg.
We'll, I'll leave my offer open for
three days. May be you'll think bet
ter Of it,
He rose from his chair, and with a
familiar nod to both, left the room.
This is horrible ! exclaimed Mr..
IIuntl,y, sinking back into his seat.
Don't think Of it, papa. We will
pay the money, if we must, and I'll
become a govorness. We shall get
on; never fear.
But age was less hopeless and elias
tic than youth. M.. Huntley was not
to be comforted.
Papa, sal, Isabel, suddenly, 4
have had a strange dream for three
nights in succession. | wonder if there
can be anything in it?'
What is it.? asked her father, Ian
guidly.
4 dreamed that under the pear tree
in the corner Of the 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.
1T is very singular, he said
Heaven grant there may be some
thing in it,
But do you give any credence to
to it, papa
1 do, and l tell You why. My
grandfather 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 ILL.,
ness a sum of $1,000 in gold was paid
him. This disappeared, and was new
er afterwards discovered Il it should
happen that he got up secretly and
buried it, it would be most singular
Let us test the matter said lsa-
bel, promptly. 4 will send for Mike
Flaherty to dig under the tree, and
if anything is concealed there it shall!
be found.
DO so, my child, at once. If only
we can be successful, that bad maa
will be prevented from doing us harm
Mike Flaharty was iaborer whom
Mr.. Huntly employed from time to
time in his garden. He lived in
little cottage quarter Of a mile dis
tant.
Isabel despatched the servant for
Mike. Luckily he was found at home,
and came to the villa immediately
Isabel set him to work, but did not
tell hi n what she expected 10 find
So great was her interest, that she
stood by while he dug. At 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,