The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-10-11
Select Storp.
THE MYSTERIOUS BOX.

ily furnished apartment. Outside the
meager windows the rough storm beat
clamorously for admittance, and the wind,
whistling and moaning down the great
black -throated chimney, made bright,
waving phantoms of the red flames which
leaned over the few bits of wood upon the
andiron
There was but little fre-yet that lit
tie lighted up the handsome face of young
Flintwood with pale, ghostly gleam.
And in that face, by the light, you could
read the fearful tale of utter poverty, and
near starvation There was hunger in
the wild expression of the hollow eyes, and
upon the broad, white forehead, where the
transparent skin failed to conceal the deli
cate vein -tracery wrought there.
! Two years before, Horace Flintwood
had left his pleasant home in a country
section of Massachusetts,, and his aged par
ents, to seek his fortune in the great city
of the West, Chicago, where we find him
at the commencement of our story.
The old homestead, the blessed old place
where his childhood had been passed, was
mortgaged, and it was to obtain money, to
save the home of his parents from stranger
hands, that young Flintwood had bid fare
we'll to those he loved and Joined the great
stream of western emigration. His trade
that of bricklayer-at first procured him
ready money in fattering quantities; but
as people were unsatisfed with settling so
far east as Chicago, the young mechanic
soon found himself deprived of employ
ment.
He would have followed the current
on-even to- the shores of the Pacific, but
an attack of fever brought him to his bed,
and he, at length, arose to find himself
deprived of every dollar which he could
once call his own On the very verge of
starvation He thought Of begging his
way back to his parents, but his pride re-
volted They were poor and looked to him
for the restoration of their dissipated for
tune Should they see him come back
to them penniless and starving? No, not
even if he died in that great city alone,
and for the want of bread He could not
go back to them only to increase their cares,
and be but an additional burden upon their
scanty means.
Horace Flintwood was thinking of all
this, while sitting there by the waning FIRE
that chill November night, and as he
thought despair crept into his heart. Out
on the muffied air doomed, shrill and clear,
the bell upon neighboring tower pealing
eleven
AS the last echoing ring ceased, there
came short, quick rap at Horace S door.
He answered the summons, and a figure
closely wrapped in black cloak strobe into
the room, and without word sat down on
the chair which Horace had vacated
ga wild evening, friend,'' Horace re-
marked, to break the awkward silence
every Are your engaged for this
evening" The stranger tone was quick
and imperative.
Engaged p Horace started at the
question; certainly not at this time of
night >
care you in want of money! The
unknown bent glance of piercing enquiry
upon Horace, from pair of black, fash
ing eyes, set far back under cliff like
brows.
ssSir, am not accustomed to answer
questions concerning my private affairs.
Horace drew himself up proudly, and
something like frown passed over his
pale brow.
81 require job of work done-done
by good, faithful hand-a discreet work
man, mean, and such is your reputation
among those who best know YOU.
Horace bowed.
1t is small job, but wish it finished
tonig ght-tonight y repeating the words
with startling emphasis, land you must
do it T.
''Well, sir, work would be very accept
able to mel need the money bad enough,
but midnight is rather singular time to
, call upon the services Of bricklayer. y
'sGranted | ask it, nevertheless
and still farther, you must be blindfolded,
and conveyed to the place where you are
to labor in close carriage, and return to
your lodgings in the same way. More
over. you must swear never to reveal sin
) gle thing which may occur to you this
night, to any living creature The un-
known had risen to his feet, and stood 81
: lently and haughtily awaiting Horace re-
ply.
The young bricklayer seemed much
struck by the mysterious proposition of his
strange visitor.
''Could but know that there was moth i
: ing criminal, nothing-''
cit is enough that you have nothing to
do but follow my directions. All will be
well with you; and the pay shall be yours
in advance, if you require it. y He flung
down purse, we'll filled with gold, upon
, the table. Horace's eyes glistened but he
was silent.
! ''There are one hundred dolars-they
; are yours, if you consent.
Zone hundred dollars impossible l
cannot accept-it looks too much like a
bribe for committing some horrid crime
some
: ''Hush my friend, 1 know your cir