Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1891-05-09


thought seemed to strike him.
Matt" he said, you and L will 90
wreck hunting this afternoon; that is,
IL you've no objection"
She certainly had none; wherever he
went she seemed willing to follow. In
q very little while the two hid started
off. IT was Brinkley who lei this time.
Matt walking along beside him like a
con6ding child.
by the way, Matt" he sad, presently,
you told me once of treasures being
hidden among the sand-hills. Did any
body ever find anyY"
Not that | know on"
William Jones, for instance?"
NO. Leastways Idon't know.'
We'll, what would you say, liatt, II
i told you that Ihad found one?'
IF you?"
"Yes. wonder if you can keep Sc
cret? Yes, OH reflection / think you
can. Now, before we go any further.
Matt, first you place your hand in mine,
and promise never TO mention until /
give you permission what lam about to
conflde to you nowy"
Matt's curiosity was aroused.
"All right" she replied, eagerly, II
shan't tell"
Very good" replied Brinkley; I'VE
will now proceed"
They passed on among the sand-hills,
and came to the entrance of the cave.
Brinkley removed the stones and sand
from the hole and entered. Breathless
with curiosity, Matt followed. They
reached the bottom. Brinkley struck a
light. and pointed out to her all the
wonderful treasures which The cave
contained. 1t was such n surprise to
the girl that for u time she could do
nothing but stare and stare in speech
less wonder. Whstling gayly, Brink
ley turned about the casks of rum and
brandy, and thrust his hands into the
bags and let the cleaning gold slip
through his fingers.
MATHS amaZement tlrned into awe.
Don't" she said, in afearful whisper;
cit belongs to the fairies"
Brinkley laughed.
"It belongs to avery substantial fairy,
Matt, but / don't think that to-Cay /
will mention that fary's naino. Did
you ever see SO much money in all your
life before, Matty'
She shook her head, but Ler eyes were
still fixed upon the gold.
Il See" observed Brinkley, flippantly,
"the sight of that gold fascipates you.
Well, SO it did me at first, but you see
what use does. / can regard it now
with comparative calmness. However,
have a particular wish to accustom
you to the sight of wealth; therefore, l
shall bring you here and show you this
now and again. Come. Matt, tell me
what you would do if you were very
rich, If all this flotsani and jetsam in
fact belonged to you."
Without the slight .st hesitation Matt
replied:
Il should give it to you-leastways
half of it."
"Ah, the reply is characteristic, and
clearly shows yor are not at present
fitted to become the possessor Of riches.
But shall bring you to the proper state
of mind in time no doubt. The next
time ask you similar question you
will propose to give me n third, the next
an eighth, aiid SO on, until you will
finally come TO u proper state of mind,
and decline to give me- any at all. And
now that | have made you the sharer of
my secret we will CO."
They left the cave. once more and
made their way back across the sand
hills, Brinkley pausing to obliterate
their footprints as thsy went. When
they had proceeded some distance lie
paused, and took the girls hand.
Goodbye, Matt" said he. IF il
wasn't for that promised smashing ]
should certainly sec you b oine-"
Then do" returned M att II don't
care if he does smash mel"
Probably not, but do. 1t wsxlld be
an episode in your career which ftwOuld
not be pleasant to reflect upon--there-
fore, goodbye, Matt gnd-and God
bless you, my grill"
lie gave her fatherly salute np0n
the forehead; a bright flush overspread
her cheek as she bounded away. Brink
ley watched her until she was out OF
sight, then he turned, and strolled
quietly on in the direction Of the cara
van.
"It's strange game" he said, "and
requires careful waiting. wonder vllat
my next move ought to bsiy'
He thought very deeply, but when he
reached the caravan he found he had
come to no definite conclusion Is to his
plans. lie therefore partook cheerfully
of the repast which Tim had prepared
for him, and after he hasl smoked q
couple of pipes in the open air he retir-
ed to rest.
The next morning he began ponder
ing again.
II have got my trump card" he said
to himself, but how to play up to itY !
have q splendid hand, but it win want
skillful managing IL I am to win the
game. One false move would do for
me, for my opponents are crafty as
foxes, and they are two against one.
What Is my right move, I wonderY /
wish somc good fairy won Id guide mol"
He took out his pipe, " hich was his
usual consoler, and xmOk ed while he
took few turns ON the green sward
outside the caravan~
Suddenly nm idea struck him.
Il think Ill pay d0mlciliary' visit TO
Mr.. Monk" he said Il can inset him
now on pretty equal temA II hint .
few things to hinA the amiable gentle
man may think of becoming just"
lie called up. HIN, and sent him on
some trivial srrand down to tho village.
A soon As hswas well out of the way
Brinkley entered the caravan, pro.ineed
some papers fnym the inner pocket OF