Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-04-18

box, destroy It,"
John and Rose promised. and soon
after Charlton took his leave, and his
sympathetic friends had a chance to talk
over his wasted life
Roses curiosity about the treasure was
very great, and she fairly tingled to open
the box and see what II contained; but
John solemnly locked 1t up in a drawer in
the tiny library table, and there II re-
posed for year.
During the twelve months nothing was
heard from Charlton, although his
friends wondered sadly If he was getting
on or growing poorer and more hopeless
all the time. But towards the close of
the year grea; events happened.
First, the newspapers published ac-
counts Of the sad ending in Bellevue Hos
pital of Mabel Charlton, a once promising
soubrette, and John and Rose knew. II
other people did, that one of the letters
of their friend had been broken by death.
Then they saw an advertisement for
Charles Charlton or knowledge of his
whereabouts In one of the daily papers
About the same date they learned that
old Mr.. Charlton had died. They put the
two facts together, and came to the con-
cluson that the elder Charlton had for
given his son on his death-bed
Next day John Amory called at the
lawyers address, which had been given
In the newspaper, and told about Charl-
toms intention to go abroad. He learned
that what he had surmised was true, and
goodly inheritance had fallen to Charles
Charlton from his father.
II VIII have the notice printed in the
Paris journals" said the lawyer. land
no doubt we shall soon hear from the
young man"
Greatly rejoicing John. went home to
Rose. isn't it splendid John?" she cried
II don't know any one ia like to see hap
Ply more than poor Charlie Charlton"
Then she thought for a moment and
finally said: THE year is up. Can't we
look at his treasure now?"
But he will probably soon return now"
replied her husband Hadn't we better
wait until he does?"
John Amory," said Rose tragically.
I've waited year to see what that box
holds, and I can't contain my curiosity
any longer"
The upshot of the argument was that
In a few minutes Rose held the little
package In her hand.
do you suppose II contains n iewel?"
she asked
Nonsense" said John "If Charlie
had owned jewel OF price, II would have
gone to the pawnbroker's long ago.
The outside wrapping was taken OFF and
small jewelers. box was revealed on
opening It, inside was found, reposing in
cotton. what looked like an ordinary lump
Of sugar.
ITS n hoaxr' cried Rose.
80 II looks, said John. but why
should Charlie have spoken so solemnly
about it?"
John" cried Rose suddenly. II wonder
| II II can be-" then she paused
What is II you are wondering?" asked
John.
But Rose only looked thoughtful for a
| few moments. When she spoke again II
was to say; I'm give Charlie Charlton
| a piece of my mind for fooling me So II
he does not return soon without knowing
| anything of his good fortune. I mean to
tease him by keeping him in suspense.
Promise me. John. that you will let me
| tell about the money his father left him.
| Promise you won't tell first"
John promised. and the treasure ~ was
| repacked and again locked up in the Ii.
brary drawer
Next day. while Rose was out market
| ing. who should come In to John but
| Charlie Charlton, but looking so shabby
so old and worn that his friend was
| shocked.
IT'S no use." said the traveller. 81 can't
get on. / never will have a chance. I've
| tried everything and cannot earn enough
TO more than keep body and soul to-
| gether. I'm a derelict."
John smiled to think that Charlie knew
| his chance had come at last. He prayed
for Rose to return. and tell the good
news, for. as he had promised to let her
| tell IT. he meant to keep his word.
| Did you know your wife was dead?
| he asked.
Charlton smiled bitterly. "a man must
have sunk pretty low" he said "wher
even that Is good news. But come fol
another purpose. | come for my box-my
| treasure Have you got II still?"
| Yes" said John. unlocking the draw
er and handing it to Charlton. who un-
| wrapped II. took out the lump of sugar
and solemnly swallowed II.
| "Good-by. old man." he said to John
II must be going / don't want TO die ir
| the house"
| "Dier gasped John. "Then that wa.
| poison'
Yes" said Charlton, "a deadly poison
will be gone In an hour; through fol
| ever with this miserable failure of a life
I wanted to take 1t a year ago. but
promised myself another trial. I've haC
1t. and failed. Goodbye
You shan't CO." shouted John. 81!
there no antidote? Why. man. your IA
Their is dead; he left you all his money!
Charlie Charltons face turned livid
"Oh, II you had told me that a few min
utes before"
II would but had promised Rose
"Rose-who is talking of me?" said tina
young woman. running into the room.
Rose. Rose. cried her husband. "he hai
eaten that lump of sugar!'
| well. what of it?'
| IT'S poison!'
Nonsense" said Rose. Its not poison
| Perhaps the one Charlie left here was
but this Is out of my own sugar-bowl
When I saw that lump of sugar, 1 sus
| pected something like this, so I jus
threw II into the fire and substituted an
| other"
Charlie Charltons color returned slow
ly. He then drew a long breath, an
cried devoutly:
Thank Heaven!'
you had better thank Rose" said he
husband.-(New York Evening Post.