Evening star., 1897-04-10

tache. He. too. seemed to be trying to
speak. and remembering some previous
revelations which had amused them, Dem
crest leaned over him fraternally with an
answering smile. waiting for the beloved
ones name to pass the young mans lips
But he only murmured, ''Three-hundred-
thousand dollars! The elder man turned
away with a grave face. The influence of
the treasure was paramount.
When he had placed one Of the chairs
against the unprotected door at an angle
Which would prevent any easy or noiseless
Intrusion, Demorest threw himself without
undressing on his bunk and turned his
race toward the single window Of the cabin
that looked toward the east. He did not
apprehend another covert attempt against
the gold. He did rot fear robbery with
force or arms, although he was satisfied
that there were more than one concerned
In it, but that he attributed only to the
incumbering weight of their expected booty.
He simply waited for the dawn II was
some time before his eyes were greeted
with the vague opaline brightness of the
armament which meant the vanishing of
the pailid snow line before the coming day
bird twittered on the roof The air was
chill; he drew his blanket around him
Then he closed his eyes, he fancied only
for moment, but when he opened them
the door was standing open in the strong
daylight. He sprang to his feet but the
next moment he saw it was only stacy
who had passed out and was returning
fully dressed. bringing water from the
spring to fill the kettle. But Stacy's face
was so grave that, recalling his disturbed
sleep Demorest laughingly inquired if he
had been haunted by the treasure. But to
his surprise Stacy put down the kettle and
with hurried glance at the still sleeping
Barker. said in a low voice:
Il want you to do something for me
without asking why Later will tell you /"
Demorest looked at him flxedly. What
is 1t he said
THE pack mules will be here in n few
moments. Don't wait to close I'D or put
away anything here. but clap that gold in
the saddle bags and take Barker with you
and light out for Boomville at once. I will
overtake you later
rs there no time to discuss this?' asked
Demorest.
No" said Stacy. sharply Call me a
crank. Say I'm in a blue funk"-his COM
pressed lips and sharp black ewes did not
lend themselves much to that hypothesis
only get out Of this with that stun and
take Barker with you. I'm not responsible
for myself while it's here"
Demorest knew Stacy to be combative
but practical. If he had not been assured
or his partners last nights slumbers he
might have thought he knew of the at
tempt OR If he had discovered the turned
up ground in the rear Of the cabin his
curiosity would have demanded an expla-
nation Demorest paused only for a mo-
ment ..T. and said. Very WELL 1 will co.
Iood. III rouse out Barker but not n
word to him except that he must co.
The routing out of Barker consisted of
Stacy's lifting that young gentleman bod-
ny from MS bunk and standing him up
rignt In the open doorway. But Barker
was accustomed to this Spartan process
ana aiter moments balancing. with
closed nos, like an anwrapped mummy, he
sat down in the doorway and hepan 70
dress. He at first demurred to their do.
parture except all together; 1t was SO un-
1raternal, but eventually he allowed him
sen 10 De persuaded out Of 1t and into his
clothes. For Barker had also had his
visions in the night: one Of which was
mat they should build a beautiful villa on
the site OF the old cabin and solemnlv
in ~ 20 leone come every year and pass a week
SAID. sliding along the floor in search Of
dinerent articles of his dress. or stoppine
sIavelv ~ TO catch them as they were thrown
al boomville, as being handler to get there.
put I've concluded we'd better have n
mere, q little higher up on the hill. where
=. n could be seen over the whole Black Spur
range Wnen we weren't here we could
use II as hut of refuge for broken-down
OF washed-out miners or weary travellers
nSe tnose hospices In the Alps. you know,
and have somebody to keep it for us. You
see. I've thought even of that, and Van
Loo Is the very man to take charge Of II
Tor US You see. he's got such good man.
ners ana speaks two languages. Lord! II
German or Frenchman came along, poor
anu distressed. Van Loo would just Chip
IN ms own language. See? You've just
sot 10 think OF all these details. you see,
W hiSnt Gull II Ino Hest OF
Rest" 'e's
AND you might begin by giving us one,"
ssa saao !. STACY Dry up and drink your cof-
"In draw out the planse I've rot II all
IN my head" continued the enthusiastic
Barker. unheeding the interruption. "I'T
Just run cut and take Q look at the site
It's only right back Of the cabin But
mere Stacy caught him by his dangling
oeit as he was flying out CT the door with
one boot ON. and thrust him down IN a