The Washington times., 1904-12-18

/ should have decent burial, and after
considerable reflection decided TO allow
his aunt and cousin to understand that
the man who had tried to rob them
had made good his escape to some
other country. He thought IL would be
best for them to remain IN ignorauce Of
the truth
Al 10 o'clock that morning Mr.. Single
ton arrived by appointment. and the
party OF four entered the library &c
search for the vault. There was no
/ hitch in the proceedings, and following
Z the directions concealed in the locket.
/ the button was easily found and the
I vault disclosed. 1t required very little
effort TO work the combination, and the
doors swung easily back. exhibiting a
| good-sized interior, fitted up into small
compartments.
/ There was. as had been stated. a large
amount of money slowed away, and
/ package after package of Government
bonds Of various denominations. but
/ most in values of five and ten thousand
I dollars. The lawyer united these
/ bundles and carefully made "a record Of
/ them, noting the number Of each. The
/ papers were laid aside fer more leisure
/ ly examination. 1t was nearly an hou
/ before he had concluded his task and re-
/ placed the valuables In the vault
/ 1T affords me considerable pleasure. 80
+ he said to the two women. TO inform
you that in bonds alone there is In the
vault fortune Of more than one million
! dollars / was entirely unaware that
my late friend was possessed OF a for-
/ tune SO large The money and other
! securities VIII probably amount to one
1 half that amount. After this long and
painful delay l am very much gratified
/ 10 know that your future is more than
amply provided for, and desire 10 ex-
/ tend to YOU my hearty congratulations
+ on the outcome of the affair"
/ His son did not wait for the cOnclu-
sion Of the examination. bur slipped
/ away 10 his room and reclined on the
lounge. The effort had exhausted him
/ considerably and more than that he
/ wished 20 have leisure and seclusion 10
/ consider the situation His part in the
/ treasure hunt was at an end. In a few
/ days he would be able TO resume his
f, work and there was no reason for de-
/ laying in Washington. He felt that he
| should rejoice in the good fortune Of
/ the Alexander family but IN his heart
/ the magnitude of the legacy dishearten-
/ ed him. There was no use in trying 70
! deceive himself. Life held no very vivid
/ attraction 20 him after his farewell 70
| the cir! who occupied his every thought.
/ II was too late To hope for a chance 20
win her love. If he made the attempt
she would consider him fortune hunt
er and it would be Letter 10 leave with
out a word.
! Both mother and daughter would un-
doubtedly feel grateful TO him for his
/ assistance and he swOre that he would
not destroy their good opinion by a
/ false move. il was perfectly apparent
/ that she did not regard him in the light
/ he wished He hoped that he would be-
able 70 leave before they had am op-
portunity to thank him He might
( leave note saying that he was called
laway by an urgent telegram Afterward
! he could write and make his farewells
! from safe distance. He was deliberat-
I ing upon the adyisability Of this move
when a light knock sounded on the
door He called out an impatient in
vitatiOn 10 enter and the door was slow
! Iy opened admitting the girl he was
thinking Of. There was a look Of anxiety
/ on her face.
You looked so pale when you left the
room that / have been worried about
YOU" she said. DO you feel wOrseF'
Not particularly" ne replied Il
wanted TO get back and get my affairs
( in shape"
What do you mean?' she asked with
a startled look You are surely not
thinking - returning 10 your rooms just
yet You are not strong enough 70 do
/ that You must stay here few weeks
ard allow us 10 nurse you. Ii is the
least we can do after all you have done
! for us"
That is awfully kind of you he said,
/ ''but / am perfectly recovered and have
no excuse for trespassing longer upon
/ your hospitality. Moreover. 1 have an
offer ia New York that / think l should
accept"
you intend 10 leave Washington"
said the girl. There was Il troubled look
/ in hcr eyes that Singleton did not see.
/ How will your friends get along with
/ Out you2'
There is nobody 10 care one way or
/ the other" said Singleton. My father
/ II 80 busy and sees 50 little Of me, any