Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-05-23

ready pieced together In his mind dur
ing early days on the island came
back to him.
The sk -eton of an Englishman ly-
ing there among the bushes near the
well, the Golgotha of the poison filled
hollow, the mining tools. both Chinese
and European; the plan OH the piece
of tin-ah, the piece Of TIM Mechan'
ically the sailor produced it from the
breast pocket Of his jersey. At last
the mysterious sign "32 divided by l.
revealed its significance. Measure thir-
ty-two feet from the mouth of the tun-
mel, dig one foot in depth. and you
came upon the mother lode Of this gold
bearing rock. This, then. was the Sc
cret of the cave.
The Chinese knew the richness Of the
deposit and exploited its treasures by
quarIying from the outer side Of the
hill. But their Grass ignorance OF mod
ern science led to their undoing. The
accumulation Of liberated carbonic acid
gas in the workings killed them In
scores They probably fought this I'M
seen demon with the tenacity OF their
race until tile place became accursed
and banned Of all living things. Yet
had they dug little ditch and per-
mitted the invisible terror to flow quiet
ly downward until its potency WAS dis
sipated by sea and air they might
have mined the whole cliff with i'm
punity.
The unfortunate unknown, j. She
of the whitened bones-might have
done this thing too. But he ouy pos
sessed the half knowledge of the work
ing miner and while stunning the
plague stricken quarry adopted the
more laborious method Of making an
adit to strike the deposit. lie succeed
ed. TO berish miserabiy in the hour
when he saw himself millionaire.
Was this pOrtent of the fate about
to overtake the latest comcrs: JenNs,
of course, stood up. He always stood
square OH his feet when the volcano
within him fired his blood.
NO he almost shouted. 81 will
break tie spell. am sent here by
Providence. not to search for sold, but
to save woman's life, and il all the
devils of China and Malay are in league
against me l will beat them"
The sound Of his own voice startled
him. What was all the fuss about?
With barrow load Of gold he could
not buy an instant's safety for Iris.
not to mention himself. The language
difficulty was insuperable. Were 1t
otherwise the Dyaks would simply
humbug him until he revealed the
source of his wealth, and then murder
him as an effective safeguard against
foreign interference.
Iris. Not once since she was hurled
ashore in his arms had jerks so long
forgotten her existence. Should he tell
her? They were partners in everything
appertaining to the island. Why keep
this marvellous intelligence from her!
Yet was he tempted. not ignobly,
but by reason Of his love for her.
Once years ago, when his arduOus pro-
fessional studies were distracted by
a momentary infatuation for Il fair
face. q woman had proved tickle when
tempted by greater wealth than he
possessed. For long he was Il con-
firmed misogynist, to his great and
lasting gain as leader Of men. But
with more equable judgment came a
fixed resolution not to marry unless
his prospective bride cared only for
him and not for his position. 10 n
staff corps officer, even one with a
small private income. this was no
unattainable ideal. Then he met with
the shame and agony of the court mar
tial While his soul still qulvered
under the lash Of that terrible down.
fall Iris came into his life. He knew
not what might happen If they were
rescued. The time would quickly pass
until the old order was resumed. she
to 70 back to her position in society,
he to become again disgraced eX-
officer, apparently working out mere
existence before the mast or handing
plates in q saloon.
Would 1t not be sweet defiance OF
adversely were he able, even under
such conditions. to win her love and
then disclose to her the pOtentialities
of the island? Perchance he might
fail. Though rich as Croesus. he would
still be under the social ban meted out
to cashiered officer. She was a girl
who could command the gift of coro-
nets. With restoration to her father
and home, gratitude to her preserver
would assuredly remain; but, alas, love
might vanish like mirage! Then he
would act honorably. Half Of the
stored wealth would be hers to do as
she chose with it.
Yes, this was possible alternative.
In case of accident to himself and her
ultimate escape he must Immediately
write full details Of his discovery and
intrust the document to her, to be
opened only after his death or six
months after their release.
The idea possessed him so thorough
ly that he could brook no delay. He
searched for one of the notebooks tax
en- from the dead officers Of the Sir
dar and scrfbbled the following letter:
Dear Miss Deane-whether am living
or dead when you read these lines. you
will know that I love you. Could re-
peat that avowal a million times In as
many varied forms I should find no better
phrase to express the dream have cher
ished since happy fate permitted me to
snatch you from death. 80 simply say,
~ love you" will continue to love you
while life lasts, and 1t il my dearest hope
that In the life beyond the grave l may
still be able to voice my love for you.
But perhaps am not destined to b>
loved by you. Therefore In the event Of
my death before you leave the island,
wish to give you instructions how to flnc
a gold mine Of great value which Is hiader
in the rock containing the cave. You re
member the sign OH tie piece OF tin which
we could not understand. The figure J.
denotes the utmost depth OF the excava
tion. and the l signifies that one foot be