The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1894-06-20

with proud smile, 81 nm q gentle
man. despite my present humiliating
condition. l would scorn to take that
which no longer rightfully belongs to
me. To put the matter on q business
footing, what will you give me to show
you exactly tho whereabouts of the
money!"
"Why," said Mr.. vanderveldt, an
expression of perplexity coming into
his stolid countenance, 81 don't know
what to say. How do I know you are
not swindler, for instance?" And
Mr.. yanderveldt tried to force very
knowing scowl.
"Oh, as to that, replied Mr.. Prid-
dy, with a superior smile, ''give me
a shovel and / will reassure you at
once"
"Good, replied the city gentleman,
rising. "There is still light to see
by. Lead the way, sir"
"Hold the bargain !" said the seedy
man, picking mp his hat and halting
upon the threshold. "If the money
is there I take half. Is that fair?"
"It will be quite fair if the money
is there" said Mr.. Vanderveldt.
Mr.. Priddy took the shovel, and,
carrying it in his hand, walked
straight to the large oval plot in tho
middle of the green, pausing to gaze
about him when he arrived on the
edge of it, as though to get his cor
rect bearings.
Mr.. Priddy then fell to digging.
The earth was moist, and the large,
brown sods were easily turned.
Mr.. Vanderveldt, regardless of the
flying mould, drew to the edge OF the
plot and stood staring with expectant
gaze down into the slowly deepening
hole.
Suddenly the blade of the shovel
smote something hard, and there was
slight sound Of the splintering of
wood. Mr.. Priddy redoubled his
efforts without word. Mr.. Wander
veldt gave vent to deep "ah!"
In another moment small square
box was disclosed to view, the wood of
it discolored almost to the hue Of the
clay soil, which still adhered in Jumps
to it.
"For heavens sake |" cried Mr.. Van
derveldt, fairly overcome with excite
ment, ''let us go in the house and di-
vide the money, man-the money!"
The city man, with trembling hand,
lighted the gas Mr.. Priddy took up
the door mat and very carefully de-
posted the befouled box upon it. The
shovel had scattered the fragile lid,
and with the aid of carving knife he
speedily pried open the splintered
fragments Then, putting in his hand,
he drew forth small red canvas bag,
nearly round in shape, and tightly
bound with cord at the mouth.
"Cut it'll" cried the portly city gen.
tleman, thrusting a knife into Mr..
Priddy's hand, when that worthy had
been calmly trying to undo the knot
for about three minutes.
81 trust you are no longer inclined
to question the motive OF my visit?"
said the seedy man, passing the keen
blade through the string.
ooh, hang it, no There, open, do
Ali"
A large heap ofglittering gold rolled
out upon the snowy tablecloth as Mr..
Priddy turned the canvas bag upside
down.
Both men stood regarding it for a
moment in silence; then Mr.. Wander
veldt's fat hand wandered mi mechanically
towards the little pile, and he fell to
counting.
"Ah, that's right" said Mr.. Priddy.
"See how much we have here"
give hundred dollars" announced
the city man, after long interval of
silence.
"Good. I thought as much. Two
fifty each. A good nights work, Mr..
Vanderveldt.
"My friend, you have behaved like
gentleman. The money was oil
within your grasp, yet you chose to
say: No, it belongs to the owner of
the house!' Give me your hand, Mr..
Priddy!"
"And now let us divide !" continued
the city man.
"Stay!" One little favor, Mr.. Van
derveldt. Two hundred and fifty dol
lars in gold is no light weight. Would
you give me paper for the amount,
your check or notes?"
with pleasure, replied Mr.. Van.
derveldt, and going to a desk he un.
locked it, drew forth a check book,
and filling in check for the amount
handed it to the seedy man, who, with
the greatest sang froid imaginable,
placed it in the breast-pocket of his
shabby jacket.
The two men sat awhile smoking
and chatting, and then Mr.. Priddy
took his leave and departed.