The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1899-12-14

C~OunCenance as white as paper.
"a viper!' cried Jean-Marie, run
ming toward him. ga viper! You are
bitten!''
The Doctor came down heavily out
of the cleft, and advanced in silence
to meet the boy, whom he took rough
ly by the shoulder.
II have found it," he said, with a
gasp.
ga plant?" asked Jean-Marie.
Desprez had a fit of unnatural gayety,
which the rocks took up and mimicked.
ga plant!" he repeated scornfully.
"Well-yes-a plant. And here" he
added suddenly, showing his right
hand, which he had hitherto concealed
behind his back-''here is one Of the
bulbs"
Jean-Marie say a dirty platter, coat
ed with earth.
"That?" said he. "It is a PLATED"
"It is a coach and horses" cried the
Doctor. Boy" he continued, growing
warmer, 81 plucked away a great pad
OF moss from between these powders,
and disclosed a c~revice; and when I
looked in, what do you suppose l saw?
I saw a house in Paris with a court
and garden, l saw my wife shining
with diamonds, 1 say myself a deputy,
I saw you-well, IL saw your future"
he concluded, rather feebly. "I have
just discovered America" he added.
But what is it?" asked the boy.
"The Treasure of Franchard," cried
the Doctor; and, throwing his brown
straw hat upon the ground, he whooped
like an Indian and sprung upon jean
Marie, whom he suffocated with en-
braces and believed with tears. Then
he flung himself down among the
oather and once more laughed until
lie valley rang.
But the boy had now an interest of
his own boys interest. No soone
was he released from the Doctors acco-
lade than he ran to the powders,
sprung into the niche, and, thTusting
his hand into the c~revice, drew forth
one after another, incrusted with the
earth of ages, the fagons, candlesticks,
and patens of the hermitage Of Fran
chard. A casket came last, tightly
shut and very heavy.
"Oh, what fun" he cried.
But when he looked back at the Doc
tr, who had followed close behind and
was silently observing, the words died
fromhis lips. Desprez was ace more
the color of ashes; his lips worked and
trembled; a sort of bestial greed pos
sessed him.
This is childish" he said. eve lose
precious time. Back to the inn, har-
ness the trap, and bring it to yon bank.
Run for your life. and remember-not
one whisper. I stay here to watch"
Jean-Marie did as he was bid, though
not without surprise. The noddy was
brought round to the spot indicated;
and the two gradually transported the
treasure from it's place of c~oncealment
to the boot below the driving seat.
Once it was all stored the Doctor re-
covered his gayety.
"Ipaymy grateful duties to the ge-
Mus of this dell" he said. ooh, for a
live coal, a heifer, and a jar of coun-
try wine! 1 ann in the vein for sacrifice,
for a superb libation. Well, and why
not? We are at Franchard. English
pale ale is to be had-not classical, in
deed, but excellent. Boy, we shall
drink ale"
"But l thought it was so unwhole-
some" said Jean-Marie, land very dear
besides.'
'Fiddle-de-dee!" exclaimed the Doc
tor gayly. "The inn!
And he stepped into the noddy, toss
ing his head, with an elastic, youthful
air. The horse was turned, and in a
few seconds they drew up beside the
paling of the inn garden.
Here said Desprez-"here, near
the stable, so that we may keep an
eye upon things"
They tied the horse, and entered the
garden, the Doctor singing, now in fan
tastic high notes, now producing deer
r~everbrations from his chest. He took q
seat, raped loudly on the table, as,
sailed the waiter with witticisms; ant
when the bottle of Bass was at length
produced, far more charged with ga.
thar the most delirious champagne
he filled out a long g~lassful of frotl
and pushed it wei to Jean-Marie
Drink" he said; drink Deep"
81 would rather not" faltered thu
boy, true to his training.
s "What?" Numbered Desprez.
v 81 am afraid of it," said Jean-Marie
v my stomach"
e take it or leave it,! interrupted
d: Desprez fiercely; "but understand i
once for all-there is nothing so con