The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-24

very good" replied Brinkley; 1--WE
will now proceed"
They passed on among the sand hills
and came to the entrance of the cave.
Brinklcy removed the stones and sand
from the hole and entered. Breuthless
with curiosity Matt followed They
reached the bottom. BrinlSley strucl,
light and pointed out to her all the
wonderful treasures which the cave
contained. 1t was such surprise TO
the girl that for n time she could do
nothing but stare and stare in speech
less wonder. Whistling gayly, Brink
ley turned about the casks of rum and
brandy and thrust his hands into the
bags and let the cleaning golt. slip
through his fingers.
Matt's amazcment turned into awe.
Don't" she said, in fearful whis-
per: lit belongs to the fairies"
Brnliley laughed.
1T belongs to very substantial
fairy, Matt, but don't think that to-
day will mention that fairy's name.
Did you ever see SO much money in all
your life before, Matt?"
She shook her head, but her eyes
We're still fixed upon the gold.
Il see" observed Brinllley, nippant-
ly, "the sight of that gold fascinates
you. Well, SO it did me at first, but
you see what use does. can regard It
now with comparative calmncss. How
ever, have n particular wish to ac-
custom you to the sight of wealth;
therefore, shall bring you here and
snow you this now and again. Come,
Matt, tell me what you would do if you
were very rich, if all this fotsam and
jctsam, in fact, belonged to you?"
Without the slightest hesitation Matt
replied:
Il should give it to you-leastways
half of it."
"Ah, the reply is characteristic, and
clearly shows you are not at present
fitted to become the possessoro of riches.
But shall bring you to the proper
state of mind in time. no doubt. The
next time ask you a similar question
you will propose to give me n third,
the next an eighth, and so on, until
You will finally come to proper state
of mind, and decline to give me any at
all And now that l have made YOU
the sharer of my secret we will co.
They lett the cave once more and
made their way back across the sand
hills, Brinllley pausing to oblitcrate
their footprints as they went. When
they had proceeded some distance he
paused and took the girls hand.
"Good-by Matt" said he. If it
wasn't for that promised smashing I
should certainly see you homc.''
Then do" returned Matt. Il don't
care if he does smash me-
Probably not. bat do. 1t would be
an episode in your career which it
would not be pleasant to reflect upon
therefore, good-by, Matt and-and
God bless you. my girl.'
He gave her fatherly salute upon
the forehead; a bright flush ovcrspread
her cheek as she bounded awav.
Brinkley watched her until she was
out of sight, then he turned and
strolled quietly on in the direction of
the caravan.
Its Il strange game he said, land
requires careful waiting. wonder
what my next move ought to be?"
lie fought very deeply. but when he
reached the caravan he found he had
come to no definite conclusion as to his
plans. He therefore partook cheerful
~ of the rcpast which Tim had prepared
for him. and after he had smoked a
couple of pipes in the open air he re-
tired to rest.
The next morning he began ponder
ing again.
nave got my trump card he said
to himself, but how to play up to it?
l have a splendid hand, but it will
want sliillful managing if | am to win
the game. One false move would do
for me, for my opponents are crafty as
foxes; and there are two against one.
What is my right move. / wonder? I
wish some good fairy would guide mer'
lie took out his pipe, which was his
usual CONSIDER, and smoked while he
look few turns on the grecnsward
outside the caravan
Suddenly an idea struck him.
Il think I'll pay 4 domicilary visit
to Mr.. Monk" he said. II can meet
him now on pretty equal terms. If
mint few things to him the amiable
gentleman may think of becoming
just"
he called up Tim and sent him or.
some trivial GRAND down to the village.
AS soon as he was well out of the way
Brinklcy entered the caravan, pro-
duccd some papers from the inner
pocket of his coat and locked them ND
securely in his trunk
80 far SO good" he said. "AIy
amiable friend may not bc in an anna
BILE mood, and don't wish him to get
any advantage of mel"
He did not even take with him the
key of the box, but having attached to
it small piece of paper, on which were
some written instructions, he hid it in
the caravan and started off upon his