Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-04-05
Copyright. 1905. by
Edward J. Clode


lar to all his actions, suddenly struck a
deep vein of almost virgin gold.
To facilitate the disposal ut dis
lance of the disturbed debris he threw
each shovelful on to canvas sheet.
which lie subsequently dragged among
the trees In order to dislodge its con-
tents. After doing this four times he
noticed certain metallic specks in the
fifth load which recalled the presence
of the anthony. But the appearance
of the sixth cargo was so remarkable
when brought out into the sunlight
that 1t invited closer inspection.
Though his knowledge Of geology was
slight, he was forced to believe that
the specimens he handled so obviously
contained neither copper nor iron
pyrites, but glittering yellow gold.
Their weight, the distribution of the
metal through quartz in transition
state between an oxide and telluride
compelled recognition.
Somewhat excited, yet half skeptical,
he returned to the excavation and
scooped out yet another collection,
This time there could be no mistake
Natures own alchemy had fashioned
u veritablc insot. There were small
Jumps in the ore which would only
need alloy at tie mint before they
could be issued as sovereigns, so free
from dross We're they.
Iris had gone to Venus bath and
would be absent for some time. jerks
sat down on tree stump. He held in
his hand q small bit of ore worth per-
haps EGO. Slowly the conjectures al
ready pieccd together in his mind dur
ing early days on the island came
back to him.
The skeleton 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 on the piece
ically the sailor produced it from the
breast pocket of his jersey. At last
the mysterious sign 49, divided by T.
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
Quurrying 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 tcnacity of their
race until the place became accursed
and banned of all living things. Yet
had they dug little ditch and per-
| mitted the invisible terror to flow quiet
LIZ taa,,t,syard until Its ,ata,cx,,oc. 1;s,a
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-mlght have
done this thing too. But he only 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. He succeed
ed to perish miserably in the hour
when he saw himself millionaire.
Was this q portent of the fate about
to overtake the latest corners? jerks,
Of course, stood up. He always stood
square on his feet when the volcano
within him fired his blood.
mo" he almost shouted. II will
break the spell l am sent here by
Providence, not to search for gold, but
to save woman's life, and if all the
devils of China and Malay are in league
against me 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 it
otherwise the Dyaks would simply
humbug him until lie 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 lie tempted. not ignobly,
but by reason of his love for her.
Once years ago. when his arduous pro-
fessional studies We're distracted by
n momentary infatuation for fair
face, woman had proved tickle when
tempted by greater wealth than he
possessed. For long lie was con-
firmed misogynist, to his great and
lasting gain as a leader of men. But
with more cquable judgment came n
fixed resolution not to marry unless
his prospective bride cared only for
him and not for his position. TO a
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 quivered
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 go back to her position in society,
he to become again disgraced cx-
officer, apparently working out mere
existence before the mast or handing
plates in saloon.
Would 1t not be a 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 melted out
to n cashiered officer. She was Il 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 1t.
Yes, this was possible alternative
In case Of accident to himself and her