The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-10-05
rornd on his adopted SON With a


bittenr'
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.
81 have found it," he said, with
gasp.
"a plant?" asked Jean-Marie.
Desprez had fit Of unnatural gayety.
which the rocks took up and mimicked.
"A 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"
Jear-Marie sa,.' dirty platter, coat
ed with earth.
THAT" said he. at is plate"
1T 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 crevice; and when /
looked in, what do you suppose | saw?
Il
and garden, l saw my wife shining
with diamonds, saw myself deputy,
| saw you-well, II saw your future"
he concluded, rather feebly. IL have
just discovered America" he added.
But what is it?" asked the boy.
THE Treasure of Franchayd," 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
'~ather and once more laughed until
,le valley rang.
But the boy had now an interest OF
his own boys interest No sooner
was he released from the Doctors acco-
lade than he ran to the powders.
sprung into the niche, and, thrusting
his hand into the crevice, drew forth
one after another, incrusted with the
earth Of ages, the flagons, candlesticks,
and patens of the hermitage of Fran
chard. A casket came last, tightly
shut and very heavy.
"Oh, what funv' he cried.
But when he looked back at the Doc
TT, who had followed close behind and
was silently observing, the words died
fromhis lips. Desprez was once more
the color of ashes; his lips worked and
trembled; a sort of bestial greed pos
sessed him.
This is childish" he said. 1--WE 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. 1 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 concealment
Once it was all stored the Doctor re-
covered his gayety.
'Ipaymy grateful duties to the ge-
MUS of this DELL" he said. ''Oh. for a
live coal, heifer, and a jar of coun-
try wine, | am in the vein for sacrifice,
not? We are at Franchard. English
pale ale is to be had-not classical, in
deed, but excellent. Boy, we shall
drink ale"
"But | thought it was so unwhole-
some" said Jean-Marie, and very dear
besides
"Fiddle-de-deew exclaimed the Doc
tor gayIy. THE innr'
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
castle high notes, now producing deep
reverbratfons from his chest. He took a
seat, raped loudly on the table, as
| sailed the waiter with witticismss and
when the bottle of Bass was at length
produced, far more charged with gas
than the most delirious champagne,
he filed out long gasSfhl of froth
and pushed it over to Jean-Irarie
Drink" he said; drink deep
81 would rather not" faltered the
boy, true TO his training.
WHAT" Numbered Desprez.
''I am afraid of it" said Jean-Marie;
my stomach"
Take it or leave it," interrupted
Desprez flercely; "but understand 1t
once for all-there is nothing SO con-
temptible as precision"
Here was new lesson! The boy sat
bemused, looking at the glass bat not
tasting it, while the Doctor emptied
and refilled his own.