The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-04-07

| the end OF that time | haven't reclaimed |
the box. destroy it"
John and Rose promised, and soon |
after Charlton took his leave, and his |
sympathetic friends had chance to talk |
over his wasted life Roses curiosity !
! about the treasure was very great, and |
she fairly tingled to open the box and |
see what it contained; but John solcnnly |
locked it up in drawer in the tiny
library table, and there it reposed for a |
year.
During the twelve months nothing |
was heard from Charlton, although his |
friends wondered sadly if he was getting |
on or growing poorer and more hopeless |
all the time. But toward the close of
the year great events happened.
First, the newspapers published &C
counts of the sad ending in Bellevue
Hospital of Mabel Charlton, once
promising soubrette, and John and Rose
knew, if few other people did, the inside !
| history of the sad event that had been |
chronicled in the daily papers. About |
| the same date they learned that old Mr.. |
Charlton had died. They put the two |
facts )gether and came to the conclusion |
tina. che elder Charlton had forgiven his |
son on his death bed.
| Next day John Amory called at the |
lawyers address, which had been given.
in the newspaper, and told about Charl-
| j. ;,,+a +f,S oh IIal Loo ed
that what he had surmised was true,
and goody inheritance had fallen to
| Charlie Charlton from his father.
4 will have the article printed in the |
Paris journals, said the lawyer, and no
doubt we shall soon hear from the young
man
Greatly rejoicing John went home to
Rose.
Isn't it splendid, John? she cried. L
don't know any one I'd like to see happy !
more than poor Charlie Charlton
Then she thought for moment and |
| finally said
The year is up, Can't we look at his
treasure now
| But he will probably soon return |
now,' replied her husband. Hadn't we
| better wait until he does?'
John Amory,' said Rose. tragically, |
| I've waited year to see what that box |
holds, and can't contain my curiosity |
any longer
The upshot OF the argument was that
:: r, Il 4 IL,
age III her hand.
The outside wrapping was taken of |
and a small jewelers. box was revealed. |!
On opening it, inside was found, reposing !
in cotton, what looked like an ordinary
lump of sugar.
cts a hoax" cried Rose.
80 it looks" said John, "but why |
should Charlie have spoken so solemnly |
about it,"
"Iohn," cried Rose, suddenly, 81 Won
der if it can be" then she paused.
what's you are wondering?" asked |
John.
But Rose only looked thoughtful for a
few moments. When she spoke again it |
was to say
I'll give Charlie Charlton a piece of
my mind for footing me so. If he does |
not return soon without knowing any
thing of his fortune, l mean to tease him |
by keeping him in suspense. Promise |
you won't tell first"
John promised, and the treasure ~ |
I L i 4
library drawer.
Next day while Rose was marketing, !
who should come in to John but Charlie
Charlton, but looking so shabby, so old |
and worn that his friend was shocked.
ITS no USE" said the traveller, Il
can't get on. never will have a chance. !
I've tried everything and cannot earn
enough to more than keep body and soul
| together. I'm derelict."
John smiled to think that Charlie little |
knew his chance had come at last. He
prayed for Rose to return and tell the |
glad news, for, as he had promised to let
her tell it, he meant to keep his word.
Did you know your wife was dead ~
he asked
Charlton smiled bitterly.
"a man must have sunk pretty low"
he said, when even that is good news.
But come for another purpose. come
for my box-my treasure. Have you got
it still ?"
"Yes, said John, unlocking the drawer
and handing it to Charlton, who I'M
wrapped it, took out the lump of sugar,
and solemnly swallowed it.
"Good-by, old man." he said to John,
81 must be going; don't want to die in
the house"
Die" gasped John. Then that was
poison"
Yes" said Charlton, "a deadly poi
son; l will be gone in an hour; through
forever with this miserable failure of a
life. | wanted to take it year ago, but
l promised myself another trial. I've
had it and failed. Good-by"
"You shant CO." shouted John. is
there no antidote? Why, man, your
father is dead; he left you all his money"
Charlie Charltons face turned livid.
"Oh, if you had told me that few
minutes before
'Iwould, but l had promised Rose"
"Rose-who is talking of me p said
that young woman, running into the
room.
Rose, Rose" cried her husband, ''he
has eaten that lump of sugar
"Well, what of it p
It's poison"
Nonsense" said Rose, ITS not poi
son. Perhaps the one Charlie left here
was, but this is out of my own sugar
bowl. When saw that lump of sugar, l
, suspected something like this, so just
threw it into the fire and substituted an
other"
Charlie Charlton's color returned slow
". He drew a long breath, and cried de
/ voutly,-
Thank Heaven"
"You had better thank Rose" said her
r husband.-New York Evening Post.
e They Say
That word to the wise is usually re-
Il scented.
That the best policy is not the kind
u that's played.