The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-11
HIDDEN TREASURES.

among its weird tales. and 1t Is as true
as tradition usually Is. The Van
Do-ns have ever been a noted race.
with a brilliant record OF valor and
beauty. Yet, when Fritz Van Dorm
died. leaving a family OF five children.
the wealth OF the family was a thing OF
the past. The inheritance OF the hill
dren consisted OF an Old castle. al
ready falling into ruin, a few barren
acres. and a proud, old name.
Not much 10 live ~. but n glorious
name TO die by" said ffteen-year-old
Fritz, his fathers own son In feature
| and name.
For more than two hundred years.
men and maids and matrons had told
Of the mysterious disappearance NJ the
Van Dorm treasure. and wondered what
: awful fate overlook the master and
mistress of the grand castle-for they
had never been seen since that fatal
day. Only q few unImportant jewels
/ remained 10 the two children. thus or
phaned. The rent roll KEEP; the family
along and enabled them to MAKE a
passable appearance among the grand
ness of their generation; until Fritz
died leaving his motherless children
| orphans.
It's a good thing that there never
were many of u.s." said Fritz 10 his
young brother. Our family is the
largest that L tradition speaks OF.
, and there are only fiv OF us. Now
I've a notion to hunt for his treasure,
Arson. Wouldn't it be grand IL we
| could find it?"
Find what, brother mine-the
treasurer" cried a laughing voice, as
Marie bounded through the open win
dow.
Just that. Miss Curiosity. I did not
intend that any one except Arson,
should know of the scheme, but since
you have overheard, You shall go, too,
only you must keep a still tongue In
your head. Olson, our tutor, thinks
that he has sole charge Of us now hat
our father is gone, and he would not
allow US to search the underground
vaults, as 1 intend to do"
"Oh-h-h," laughed Marie, with a
shudder Of awe and delight.
Il have always longed to do that"
smiled Arson quietly.
And we will do it, this very day."
declared Fritz. Il believe that old
wing, which ignorant people call haunt
| ed, covers the hole mystery"
And l believe that we shall find the
treasure nodded Marie, excitedly.
Let's go now-this minute"
Softly, sister, we must not ne rash.
| We nave our lessons to get, and our
absence would be noticed at once"
cautioned Arson. wait until our play
hour arrives, then we can begin with
out suspicion"
That's the plan-you have an old
head on young shoulders, brother"
said Fritz approvingly. Come to the
old wing as soon as dinner is over"
The sun had barely turned westward
when three, excited young people met
in the old wing. Even Arson was
startled out of his usual elaboration,
rl;1a NTa~;4 ~-a -~al - -
rooms, running her hand along the
stained wainscoting, in search Of hid
den springs, or sliding panels.
Our family was very wealthy once,
wasn't it Fritz?" asked Anson, as ne
peered into dark recesses.
Wealthy indeed, if we nay believe
tradition" Fritz replied. What
Marie!"
Suddenly yielding to Marie's excited
touch, a panel slid noisely aside, reveal
ing a small, dark room, or vault,
There it isl" cried Marie excitedly.
There is the secret passage-don't you
see? Bring torches m AK. Quick,
Fritz, Arson quick! I will stay right
here so that we won't lose it again."
They needed no urging, but speedily
brought the required articles.
Come now, but carefully said Fritz
after lighting torches for each one. II
WI lhoISll lillo IL liz 81 JIldl IL IlIdS
not slide into place again"
W should be worse han the Babes
in the Woods if it did," laughed An
son nervously.
AHA, who's afraid ?" declared Marie.
with paling cheeks. Surely you can
go where a girl can, Anson! Follow
me-" She entered the vault as she
spoke.
The torches revealed a small, iron
| door on tho ripht cot in m ccixa ctnna
work and securely locked.
"Ah, and the key is on the inner
side!" exclaimed Fritz. 1T is well tina
we brought powder, brother, for We
must break into u own domain it
seems. and me the fuse, now stand
back"
A small charge skillfully applied
broke the rusty lock. The heavy
door swung sullenly outward with a
most dismal creaking noise INK they
saw a flight of narrow, stone steps be-
| fore them.
After descending twenty or more OF
these they entered a square hall with
seven doors leading from it.
This is the underground castle which
the Far Dorns have searched for in
vain for more than two centuries.
Found" cried Fritz exultantly.
"Oison wouldn't believe tina there
L w do d 1doA4t IVA AK olAlC oiV-I vi
him about it," added Arson excitedly.
I've read the family history about il,
but that doesn't tell where it is 50 1
thought maybe there wasn't any at
ALL" said Marie.
o yes,-you can see for yourself"
replied Fritz. The whole family used
to live here for days at a time, when
there was war. The women never ap-
peared in the castle above in dangerous
times, although It was wen guarded by
the men. Let me see, 1 guess We will
| open the largest o and leave the
smaller ones to try later on IL we need
to. But somehow / feel as IL we would
soon solve the mystery"
$50 do I. Isn't it-isn't II just awful
and delightful to be here. Can't you
open the door Fritz"
The massive o yielded at last.
| Cracking a dismal protest as 1t swung
back, while a rush OF damp, noxious
air nearly extinguished the lights. Be
fore them was a wide, marble paved
gallery, which might have been gay