Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-06-03

ton had ended. This cont1dant must
have betrayed his trust. At any rate
Bonaparte got hold of the treasure not
long after. Louis Philippe never could
get trace of it, and Louis Napoleon, to
whom the secret was impaired, entered
into possession as the rightful heir after
the coup d'etat. He looked upon 1t, as
probably all his predecessors had, as q
power in reserve, not to be used except
in case of need. But he knew from ex-
perience how uncertain things are in
France, and when he saw war with
Germany ahead, leading possibly to d
grand upheayal of all Europe, he re-
solved to send the treasure for safe keep
ing to America Then, If France came
out ahead, he could send for it back;
but if he were worsted he could him
self come here, and either plot for re-
turn to power or settle down permanent
ly, as circumstances might determine.
And this is where appear in the story"
"Well, am glad of that" remarked
Olympia. II was afraid you had for
gotten yourself"
Keppel related the story of his escape
from the railway wreck and subsequent
adventures, to all of which Olympia
listened with wide open eyes and dill
gent ears. He went on to tell her how
he had made the journey to France, and
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 tho
name of his new possessions, and had
gone to Paris and found means to get
presented to Napoleon. Circumstances
enabled him to see a great deal Of the
emperor; the latter conceived singular
confidence in him, and even, toward the
end, an affection for him. At length,
when all was lost at Sedan, Keppel told
the emperor the story of the treasure
and offered to restore 1t to him, and aid
him in his escape to America. Napoleon
had hesitated for moment, but then
shook his head. "That treasure" he
said, "has been the curse Of France for
near thousand years. Disaster fol-
lowed every French ruler who Lad to do
with it-disaster personal, if not also
public. My uncle died in St. Helena;
am broken man, dying of an incurable
disease. will not transmit the curse to
my son, who as yet knows nothing OF
the secret. Keep the jewels yourself,
and hope that in your ownership they
may begin to do good instead of harm.
l am glad that can die with that load
off my heartw
"Poor old man!' said Olympia sympa'
thetically. "And, after all, how unreal
such treasure is! If it had been in houses
or lands or industries, or even in bonds
or gold, it would have been something
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 money value.
Diamonds and pearls should be given for
love, not bought and sold. Perhaps that
is the explanation of the curse!"
II dare say it is--if curse there be-"
said Keppel.
After pause she said, "You love me-
moro than anything, don't your +,
"More than anything and everything"
"If we find that the money keeps us
apart we will get rid of it, for it will not
be worth keeping on such condition; butt
if Ali"
She broke off with shudder and a
contraction of the nerves; she caught
Keppel's arm in her hands and moved
closer to him.
"What is the matter, love?" he ex-'
claimed. what frightened you:"
'~rhat man-Garcia" she whispered.
"Garcia! He is not here Besides,
what can he"-
"He is -somewhere-i the street,
perhaps. l feel him. Ah!" She shud-
dered again.
Keppel drew aside the window shade
and looked in the street. On the corner,
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 Olympia's inn
preston. She was now calm again.
"Perhaps it was only a coincidence"
said Keppel to himself. But the cpl
sode had startled him, and he did not
forget it.