The Monticellonian., 1904-01-21
A HIDDEN TREASURE
tcopyrlga 1t, 1903. by Daily Story pnb. co.I
By J. C. PLUMMER

l l am rich, SOllIOqulZed capt. JOD Travers, as he neared Biddeford on a visit to his old shipmate, Sam Stubbs. Sam would either envy me or hate me for my luck, and 1 want to enjoy Sam nat'ral." :"
 Capt. Sam Stubbs had retired from the sea at the pressing invitation of various ship owners, who dreaded the continued bad luck that followed the unfortunate mariner and, a soured, disappointed man. Capt. Stubbs had retired to a small home near Biddeford, where he lived with his daughter on very meager in- come.
 Pm glad I thought about keeping mum about my luck" muttered Capt. | Travers, as the one-hinged gate groaned a protest to being opened, and the rot ten porch step tried to trip him. Hes poor as rat, is Sam, and he'd hate me on account of my luck"
 Capt. Travers, after years of voyaging along the Atlantic coast at a small sal ary, had fallen in with derelict, and the salvage had amounted to $5,000.
 The weather beaten face of Sam Stubbs just frightened trifie as he shook the hand of his old shipmate, and he asked, gloomily:
 Schooner at Biddeford?"
 "No, Sam; I've no schooner right now"
 Lose herr" asked Stubbs, with a glint of joy in his eyes.
 No; just quit the sea for awhile"
 "Ain't made your fortin', have yeu?" and the corners of Sam's mouth drew down as he asked the question.
 Lord, no; poor as ever, Sam," lied Capt. Travers.
 Capt. Travers was much taken with Nicely Stubbs, his friends daughter, and his heart aehed as he noted her shabby dress
 T wish Sam wasn't such a crooked old stick" he muttered to himself. I'd like to give that girl present.
 During the talk after supper the bright face of tho girl and her cheery laugh contrasted so strongly with the croaking pessimism of her father that Capt. Travers determined at all hazards to make her substantial present dur ing his stay as soon as the means of do- ing so, without it being attributed to him, was discovered.
 Capt. Stubbs showed his guest to the best room, and remarked that the room adjoining was occupied by his daughter. When Capt. Stubbs had retired and, as Miss Nicely had not come upstairs. Capt. Travers ventured to take peep into Meely's room. A few cheap pictures hung on the wall and a tawdry vase stood on the mantel piece.
 Poor girl" sighed the captain. but just then his eyes fell on the bureau. and an inspiration swept oyer him. He stepped quickly to the bureau, picked up a Bible that lay thereon and slipped a $100 note within it's pages. Then in a glow of bushes at having been within the sacred precincts of a young lady S bedroom, the captain hurried back to his apartment and went to bed.
 She'll open the good book, <" he mur- mured. and find the money" and soothed by the consciousness of a good deed, he fell asleep.
 Evidently Miss Nicely did not consult the Scriptures that night, for she gave no indications of a fortunate find the next morning, but Capt. Travers bided his time, and after rather doleful day, owing to the lamentations of Capt. Stubbs, Miss Nicely put on her shawl at nightfau, preparatory to going out.
 "Too dark for you to go, proclaimed her father An my rheumatiz is too bad for me to go with you"
 .I must go," said the girl. "I must see Miss Miffin tonight"
 "I'H go with you" exclaimed Capt Travers, getting eagerly on his feet.
 "I arn going" said Miss Nicely, as they walked towards the town. Ito return a Bible to Miss Miffin. 1 borrowed it last Sunday, and l must return it."
 Capt. Travers' blood chilled,
 AS I passed your room last night, ," he said. neryously, "I saw a book on your bureau. suppose that was it.
 That was it" replied the girl. And Capt. Traver's heart sank. His hundred dollar note was going to a woman he did not even know, and who probably did not need it. The money must be re- covered.
 Let me carry the book for you" said he.
 Revolving the widest schemes from burglary to arson. the captain walked silently alongside of his companion un- til Miss Miffin's house was reached, and then his hopes fell to zero, for the spin ster placed the Bible on chest of draw CTS beyond the reach of any one save an expert thief.
 Miss Miffin was most tavorably im- pressed with Capt. Travers, and invited him to call again. As the captain was determined to get back his money, he gladly accepted. and the next evening repeated his visit. But luck was against him. Although he prolonged his call far beyond the usual limits of such a visit, no opportunity came to get his hands on the Bible without Miss Mfr fms knowledge The money, however. must be gotten. It would not do to al low Miss Miffin to have it. and if she talked about her find. as was most likely 1t would certainly be attributed to him