Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-07

ing no nearer than at first. I was about to
despair Of ever reaching 1t and ready to
curse the fate which had led me into such
a freak as this, when / found myself on the
very threshold Of a small room or cave.
1t was dimly lighted. but at hrst my
eyes were dazzled by the sparkle Of dia-
monds and precious gems with which the
walls we're studded. There were gold and
silver ornaments, while the floor was
strewn with coins OF great value. l fairly
gasped with amazement, but horror quickly
succeeded when, as my vision cleared, l
perceived on one side Of the room three
~grinning skeletons standing upright against
the wall. l believe l should have swooned
but for a sound which held my confused
senses from collapsing. 1t was a voice 1
heard, saying gently:
Fear not, master; you are welcome"
l knew not its source nor could l see
anyone but the figures OF the horrible
skeletons before me. Just then there came
from out the shadow Of the farthest corner
the form OF a little, old man. He reached
scarcely to my knees in height. His hair
and beard were snowy white and huns to
the floor. His face was thin and the skin
wrinkled, but his eyes glowed with a fire
that no time could Quench.
"All that you behold are yours" he said.
Il have waited for your coming these
countless years. In all that time but
three persons have dared to invade nv
realm, and there they are
He pointed with his skinny hand to the
three figures against the wall.
Tomorrow you may come and carry with
you all that you will. But tonight 20
back to your rest, Here Is the key OF your
treasure chamber. / shall need 1t no more.
Tonight my work is done"
He placed in my hand a tiny golden key,
so delicate that a touch might break It,
and giving me a candle TO light my way.
closed the door OF the cave.
Outside again in the passageway I
quickly retraced my steps, assembled the
stairs and thence into the living room.
My first thought was for the mirror. Would
/ be able to secure II now7 held the
dwarfs candle before II, but It imaged
nothing. The glass was inky black. I
staggered, rather than walked, to my bed
room, and, completely exhausted, fell into a
sound sleep.
When l awoke in the morning the sun
was shining and the birds were singing
outside by window. For awhile / lay stupe-
fed, unable TO collect my senses, but as the
events Of last night came back TO me /
sprang from my bed. resolved to have not
a mOunenl > ueiay III recovering the treas
ures that were mine. / looked for the
golden key where / had placed Il last
night. II was not there. ran into the
living room. to seek the mirror and door.
but they. too. were gone. Yet ! refused
to believe that all was lost. The occur
rences Of last night were so wildly stamped
upon my brain that l could not doubt their
existence. The chamber beneath the house
must be real, at least.
Before noon / had Ave men in my employ
engaged in digging out the earth from the
foundations under my house. / wanted TO
build a cellar, l told them. and they
laughed at the ides OF my doing anything
so foolish. But while the work went on
nothing could have induced me to leave the
spot.
About 5 o'clock In the afternoon one OF
the workmen on the opposite side OF the
house from where ! stood brought me a
small tin box which he said he had I'M
earthed. I worked with IL for some time
before l was able TO open II. but when
at last succeeded In doing 30 I was well
repaid for ali my labor. In this rusty