The Democratic advocate., 1907-12-13

bare wooden steps. was standing erect
with my pistol in my rather nervous right
hand, gazing at the stairway door, when
the bony hand of the intruder passed deftly
through the narrow crack between the door
and casing and unlocked the chain. The
door swung open and the skeleton of man
walked down the three remaining steps to
the floor.
STOPPING, he lifted, and swung across
his left arm, q long chain one end of
which was fastened about his ankle, and
then walked quietly up to me. Standing
besides me he turned his face to mine
and stared at me. | endured this for a
half minute, which seemed like an eternity,
and then sprang from him to the opposite
side of the fire place. He promptly fol-
S, lowed me, taking the same position as
before, and again turned his eyeless face to
mine. Springing back to the other side
of the hearth, [ leveled my pistol at his
head, exclaiming, as he again took step
toward me, "Stop, or III take one shot at
you, whatever you may be. " To my
great surprise he spoke. ~ want to tell
you my story" he said, II would not
harm you if l could. Will you listen?"
| told him to proceed, and to be quick
about it. My pointed pistol descended
slowly as he proceeded with his narrative
"Twenty-two years ago tonight said
he, 81 was murdered in the room above,
by the man and his wife who then lived
here. The man stabbed me to the heart
while the woman, who seized me from be-
hind, held my arms pinioned to my side.
| was on my way on horse back from
St. Louis to New Orleans, carrying
with me in a pair of very heavy
leather saddle bags, an immense sum
of gold, the inheritance of a young
girl in New Orleans. She is now
beautiful young woman, and she to my
deep regret, shares the common belief that
| am yet alive, enjoying the gold which
was hers, and that | betrayed my trust by
running away with it. While my own
murder was never discovered, punishment
came swiftly to the perpetrators. They fast
ened this chain about my ankle and dragged
me into the forest where they buried me,
concealing my grave so well, that the spot
has never been discovered The gold,
they buried near my grave, and it lies there
yet. The man and his wife quarreled
about its disposal, and killed her, was de-
tected and thrown into Jail, where he
hanged himself, leaving no confession or
other clue to the missing gold, or his guilt.
'My mother died of broken heart,
grieving for the son who lost his life and
reputation in an instant Will you come
with me to the spot, where the gold lies
buried 1t is in the forest not far from
this house. would have you restore it
to its rightful owner, and clear the stain
from my otherwise good name" He
spoke the name of a famous beauty in New
Orleans and then modestly gave his own.
"Won't you come p he asked pleadingly
as he moved slowly towards the door; ''this
is the first opportunity l have had in all
these years to make this request. | may
never have another eyes," I replied.
81 will go with you if l die for it. I will
do all you ask of me. This is to be the
rerest Christmas of my life, I think
added, in a low tone to myself as, throw
ing my pistol upon the blankets, [ followed
my strange guide.
He spoke no more. Lifting ;he bal
from the front door he swung it open, ant
passed out into the night. The moon
peeping occasionally through the slowl,
drifting clouds, threw varying uncer
tain light upon our silent search. M
guide turned frequently to beckon me OF
with graceful movements Of his long righ
arm, and [ followed as swiftly as | could
Stumbling over hidden obstacles, M
clothes and flesh torn often by thorns am
entangling brush, we at length came ou
upon the verge of deep creek, filled t
the brim with swiftly flowing water. M
guide cleared it at bound, and, turning
beckoned me most pleadingly from tn
other side, occasionally pointing eagerl
to the ground at the foot of a giant pin
near him. knew the gold was there
Walking back few PAGES to give increase
momentum to any spring, ran swiftly t
the very edge of the stream and jumpe,
My fire was nearly out when consciou
ness saved me from what saw was an il
evitable plunge beneath the dark r,
waters of the creek, just as l was with
J a few inches Of its ripping surface, an,
. with deeply drawn sigh Of mingled reli
! and disappointment, | arose to put on sor
more fuel, after which / smoked and doz
: alternately before the cheerful blaze un
the dawn Of another Christmas morn;
Q was peeping through eyery creyice