Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-07-05

leon, to whom the secret was impaired,
entered into possession as the rightful
heir after the coup d'etat. he looked
upon it, as probably all his predecessors
had, as q power in reserve, not to be
used except in case Of need. But he
knew from experience how uncertain
things are in France, and when he saw
q war with Germany ahead, leading
possibly to a grand upheaval OF all Eu-
rope, he resolved 10 send the treasure
for safe keeping to America. Then, II
France came out ahead, he could send
for it back; but il he were worsted he
could himself come here, and either
plot for a return 20 power or settle
down permanently, as circumstances
might determine. And this is where
appear In the story" :,
"Well, am glad of that's" remarked
Olympia. II was afraid you had Tor
gotten yourself"
Keppel related the story Of his escape
from the railway wreck and subsequent
adventures, TO all of which Olympia lis
tened with wide open eyes aud dillgent
ears. He went on to tell her how ne
had made the journey to France, ana
had there purchased the estate OF NJ
de LiSle, an aged monarchist, who was
the last OF his family, and who had died
within couple OF weeks of the making
Of the bargain. Keppel had adopted
the name OF uhis new possessions, ana
had gone to Paris and found means TO
get presented to Napoleon. Circum-
stances enabled him to see great deal
Of the emperor; the latter conceived
singular confidence in him, and even,
to ward the end, an affection for him.
At length, when all was lost at Sedan,
Keppsl told the emperor the story OF
the treasure and offered to restore 1t to
him, and aid him in his escape TO Amer
ica. Napoleon had heSitated for mo
ment, but then shook his head. "Ihat
treasure" he SaiC4 ''haS been the curse
OF France for near a thousand years.
Disaster followed every French ruler
who had to do with it-disaster perso-
nal, If not also public. Ny uncle died
in ST. Helena; l am broken man, dy-
ing of an incurable disease. l will not
transmit the curse to my son, who as
yet knows nothing Of the secret. Keep
the jewels yourself, aud l hope that IN
your ownership they may begin to do
good instead of harm. am glad that
can die with that load off my hearth
"Poor Old mani" said Olympia sympa-
thetically. Sand, after all, how unreal
such treasure is! II it had been in
houses or lands or industries, or even in
bonds or gold, it would have been some
thing real and reasonable; but jewels
are only beautiful; their value is an
imagination If they were to be thrown
into the sea no one would lose anything.
1t is wrong that beauty should have a
money value. Diamonds and pearls
should be given for love, not bought
and sold. Perhaps that is the explana-
tion of the cursor
IT dare say it is-if a curse there
be, said Keppel.
After pause she said, "You love me
more than anything. don't y0u?"
More than anything and every
thing"
''If we find that the money keeps US
apart we will get rid of 1t, for it will not
be worth keeping on such condition;
but if Ahw
She broke off with shudder and
contraction Of tho nerves; she caught
KepperS arm in her hands and moved
closer TO him.
"What is the matter, love?" he ex-
claimed. What frightened you?"
"That man-Garciav' she whispered.
Garcia! He is not here. Besides,
what can h0o-
"He Is Observation-Disclosures the
St--sJ, perhaps. 1 feel him. All!
She shuddered again.
Keppel drew aside the window shade
and looked in the street. On the corn
er, about thirty yards distant, he recog-
nized the figure of Garcia walking up
the street. He must have passed the
house at the moment Of 0lympia's i'm
preston. She was now calm again.
''PerhapS it was only coincidence"
said Keppel to himself. But the cpl
sode had startled him, and he did not
forget it.