Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-07-15

| ed. Well, in handling the piece there the
| pistol went off and shot poor Paolo
through the heart. Dumb with terror, !
seized hat and staff and dashed from the
cave, hurrying below.
For five days there was no search fof
poor Paolo. Then my aunt came TO me
and said: Francesca. you have on
Paolo's hat. You must have seen him
last. Where is he?" | was speechless
with fright Moreover. she continued.
'.here are some strange coins l found
hidden in the blankets. Whose are they?'
confess that I could have snatched
them from her hand, but restrained my
self. Two of the coins We're sent to the
City of Mexico. and Immediately the gov
ernment officials were out there with the
news that these coins were part of the
lost treasure of San Leon
The mans story was so straightfor-
ward that | never questioned it, nor do
to this day. When he proposed that we
return for the treasure, for he vowed that
he would never dare to do so unless l
went ahead of him and turned poor Pao-
los open eyes to the wall while we gath
cred up the golden store. / was with him.
The gamble and danger of the game fas-
cinated me. | took $500, intrusted it to
him, gave him suit of new clothes and
a rife and, equipped with a camping out
fit, started by rail to the south. near our
destination we left the railroad and pro-
ceeded on horseback, securing good ami
mails from the ranchers.
I'VE had not penetrated the mountain
district far-our very promised land
when we happened upon three of the pa
trolling soldiers. They halted us and de-
manded to know our mission. Paolo told
them that / was from the States and
seeking a purchase of ranch, that
could not speak word of Spanish and
that he was my valet and interpreter.
We exchanged compliments and passed
on. But only a few miles farther they
came after us pellmell and piled us with
more questions. leaving us a second time.
When this was repeated a third time,
Francesca whispered, 'Senor, you down
the fat one ahead, and | will kill the 9TH
er two | am dead shot. We cannot be
stopped here on the very threshold of
success
Francesca was for fighting his way up
to the treasure trO-e, swearing that he
could bribe his freedom from the govern
ment afterward. | could not see it in
that light For three days we argued.
Then there came 8 woman on the scene.
She was very beautiful creature, evil
IDENTIFY Francescos former sweetheart.
She was the only one in the country who
had recognized him as a new personality.
For day or two they mooned about the
place, and then the girl disappeared.
Francesca was like one insane after
that. What tidings the girl brought or
whether he told her his secret or not
never discovered. Once more and for the
last time Francesca asked me if | would
go on up the mountains, killing every
thing in our way to success. Still | stood
my ground, and the next morning at day
break i awoke and there by my side STOOD
my Francesco's rife and belt, all the
money, with strict memorandum of &C
counts, and the clothing l had given him
even to the last stitch. When / hunted
about camp for the man, he was gone.
81 tracked him toward the railroad and
followed on blindly over the ties. A mile
beyond the curve l saw a woman on the
railroad bridge, bent down as if weeping.
| came upon her. 1t was the beautiful
creature had seen about camp. / asked
her what was the matter. She only
pointed into the river far below. There
l discerned the still form of Francesca
floating face up in the limpid waters. He
wlS suicide"