Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-19
A HIDDEN ] TREASURE
lcopyrlght. laOa. by Daily sssry Pp6. co3
By '. C. PLUMMER


 ~~ IT'LL never do to let Sam know that
 am rich" .soliloquized Capt. Job Travers, as he neared BlddefoTd on a visit to his old shipmate, Sam Stubbs. Sam would either envy me or hate me for my luck, and want to enjoy Sam uet'ral." N. .e
 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 small home near Biddeford. where he lived with his daughter on & vary neager in- come. 'I1
 'I'm glad I thought about keeping mum about my luck" muttered Capt. Travers. as the one-hinged gate groaned Q protest to being opened. and the rot ten porch step tried to trip him. He's poor as 8 rat, is Sam, and he'd hate me on account of my luck"
 Capt. Travers, after years of voyaging along the Atlantic coast at small sal- ary. had fallen in with derelict, and the salvage had amounted to s5.0o0. 4, The weather-beaten face of Sam stubbs just frightened a trifle as he shook the hand of his old shipmate, and he asked, gloomily:
 schooner. at Biddeford?"
 ''No, Sam; I've no schooner right now." a
 "Lose herr" asked Stubbs, with glint of joy in his eyes.
 ''No: juat quit the sea for awhile" "Ain't made your fortin', have your" and the corners of Sam's mouth drew down as be asked the question.
 Lord. no; poor as ever, sam." lied Capt Travers.
 Capt. Travers was much taken with Nicely Stuhbs, his friends daughter, and his heart ached as he noted her shabby dress.
 "I wish Sam wasn't such crooked old stick" he muttered to himself. ''I'd like to give that girl a present" 2.
 During the talk after supper the bright face of the girl and her cheery laugh contrasted 50 strongly with the croaking pessimism of her father that Capt. Travers determined at all hazards to make her a substantial present dur ing his stay as soon as the means of do- ing 30. without 1t 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, ss Miss Nicely had not come upstairs, Capt. Travers ventured to take a peep into Meely's room. A few cheap pictures hung on the wall and tawdry vase stood on the mantel piece.
 Poor girl" sighed the captaia, but just then his eyes fell on ths bureau, and an inspiration swept ovar him. He stepped quickly to she 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 young lady'a bedroom, the captain hurried back to his apartment and went to bed.
 She'll open the good book" he mur- mured, land find the money" and soothed by the consciousness of good deed. he fell asleep.
 Evidently Miss Nicely did not consult tt~ 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 nightfall, preparatory to going out.
 '"Too dark for you to go." proclaimed her father. "An' my rheumatis is too bad for me to go with you"
 "I must go," said the girl. T must see Miss Mif1n tonight"
 "I'll go with you," exclaimed Capt Travers, getting eagerly on his feet.
 liam going" said Miss Nicely, as they walked towards the town, Ito return a Bible to Miss Mif1n. borrowed 1t last Sunday. and must return it.'' Capt. Travers' blood chilled. "As passed your room last night 1 he said, nervously, 'I saw book on your bureau. suppose that was 1t" "S> That was it." replied the girl. And | Capt Traver's heart sank. His hundred dollar note was going to woman ht did not even know, and who probably did not need it. The money must be re- 1 covered. s.s ts
 Let mo carry the book for you." said | he.
 | Revolving the widest schemes from burglary to arson, the captain walked l silently a1oresi6a oF 1,'e eompanion un. 4.gE l.