The Washington herald., 1906-10-31

utes anxious scrutiny. Press Flg the spring.
the door fell back for him, as II had done
for his enemy and his lantern showed
him a small square chamber hewn out
Of the limestone probably centuries ago.
for both walls and roof were crustei
with tiny stalaeutes. Entering, he found
the floor arranged with wooden chests,
which bore a remarkable family resem-
blance tc ordinary wine and spirit cases;
indeed, on one he discerne0 the faruil ,ar
name OF "Hennessy
These chests were not locked OF pro-
tected in any way. but Cressingham
found no difficulty ~ removing their
lids. Three of the largest were filled win
golden cUins Of every nation to the value
of PERHAPS 100000 English two more
with bars OF solid specie. and the sixth
was A quarter fun OF English sovereigns.
The last and smallest chest OF oil. which
looked like a tobacco box, was lined with
zinc and cTammed with jewelTy and
precious stones worth perhaps as much as
the contents Of the other cases put to-
gether
Cressingham felt q little dazed. and
there flashed into his mind a recol sctiou
OF Dumas Count Of Monte Cristo, and all
the other stories Of treasure trove that
he had ever read or heard oE He sur
.
some tine with d sentiment OF absolute
awe, but he belonged to a commercial
race, and, although a rich man himself.
and heir 10 greater riches still. he appre-
ciated the value OF money too keenly 10
remain undecided for long. From the
largest case he absuactcd about a thou
sand pounds n golc-m3re he did not feel
strong enough to carry-and from the
jewel case he selected ~ well as he was
able q score or Two Of rings and brooches.
splendid diamond necklace. and about
nfty Of the best loose diamonds. emcralds.
and Tubies that he could find These
he tied up I'm his handkerchief and Sc
cured within the bosom Of his shirt. So
great, however, was the store that re-
mained that no enc might tell the treas
ures had been tsmpereG with.
Il required a positive physical enort
10 draw himself away from the chamber.
but, conscious OF the flight Of time, ha
reaTranged the lids and removed all
traces Of his visit, then. departing, locked
the door behind him. Ir another no
ment be was hurrying backward TO the
staircase Descending the Steps as rapid
u as possible, 4 close and careful search
at last discovered for him the end OF the
tw'ne which he had broken. and follow
ing the cord. he soon found himself within
ms sleeping cavern once again, utterly
wearied from his excitement and exer.
lions. First hiding the gold aud Jewels.
he doused the gIim aud wrapped himself
closely la Desires rugs 20 sleep present
iy Ike the dead although wishful 10
think Of what he had seen and heard.
and anxious 20 plan some course Of action
Tor escape.
Desire woke him-a baShfui. blushinc
Desire nov, 10 longer a pretty. self-con-
hdent boy but q girl iu boys clothes
shy and shsmelaee3, with resoIutely
downcast eyes.
Cressingham yaHHed. stretched himself
and languidly arose.
What's the Tins Desirc?"
Eleven O'Clock. my lord"
All, 50 latci How iS Miss Elliott"
Conscious nov. bat very weak and III"
Cressingham stared az the riri ard OBJ
served her altered manner with q rush
Of recollection.
You have seen your mother. Desire ."
be multered.
I-I~yes, nay lord. have seen her"
An, and YOU are CUuvInucd 80
Yes. Desires cheeks were burning
You viii help me now Jhcn?' said ths
man ioyfuUy
She sighed. I scarcely know; I eanno;
tell, Everything seems 50 strange vet
But ! have brought your breakfast. mv
lord. She took from her pockets a snlaH
mask OF wine. some meat and bread and
laid them on the stone, also bottle of
oil for the lamp.
Cressingaam watched her graveiy, as st
last, all arranged. she stood before him
nervous ana III at case. unable to meet
bis eyes.
Mother kissed Ee this morning" she
whispered presently
Ffe fTuwHed, tTyiBs vainiy TO la1bom
by guessing at the WORKINGS OF her
wor!an's heart Kissed you. did shee'
he said COldly Rather uncXp1ctedlv
tn your part, wasn't ite-
Yes, uy lord, tt was
DID YOU kiss her too
She-she Is 50 beautiful" stammcrel
Desire apoiogeticaIly.
The man save . little groan.
50 YOU arc ready 20 forgive her wears
ot neglect for q single tardy kisse' he
snsered.
The sri sla7eed up IT him hall de-
family. Sac s. nay moiherlf she re-
piled.
An. yoW mother. YOU said that. De.
sire. as though you loved her"
She IS my mother repeated Desire.
uemulousiy- ! am sure she would love
me If il wasn't for grandfather"
Great heavens. cried Cressingham-
DO you mean to say you love hero"
She is my mother" said the sir,
third time, with q reboll!Ous little sob.
She has never been a mother TO you.
though
Wouldnt-wouldut you-woUldut you
love your mother no matter how She
how she treated you?' sobbed Desire
Who Was nov IN tears
But Cressingham was angry and des-
perats.
Il would not" be snapped. not If she
had tTeated me IS yours has done"
But ST-gr-gran father made her-Tm
sure he did. he's so CruCl. SObbCd Desire
I NJ sure mother loves INC, her--her eve
are always kind
Why 90 you suppose then that she
has allowed you 20 be brought up in this
fashion Ike boy" growled Crossing
ham,
'P'g aps-p'r APPS she didn't know
This absurd suggestion put thc cap on
The maa's temper. With q muttcred curse
be strode Up and down the cavern, stamp
ing savagcly on the floor and Desire, In
very surprise, ceased crying 10 observe
him
He stopped after . moment and faced
her.
Tell me-. he demanded, does not oil
this mean that you have decided not 10
help us2"
i d-don't know. she s,ammered. tbea
eagerly. There's plenty Of time, MY
lcrd; Miss E,lictt- cannot be moved for
days ard days. She's too IL. the doctor
says she's not out Of danger VET
All, 4 sharp pain struck 1T the man
heart, for he haG suddenly remembered
what he bad heard the previous night.
and he knew that IN order 90 save King
Humbert's life it was his bounden duty
10 escape from The island without delay.