New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-01
Hidden Treasure
Confined rom page I

especially as I knew how disappointed YOU
would he II your hopes were raised and Their
nothing was found But on thinking II over
decided that you had a right 70 know all about
It especially as / might be wrecked or lost III
some way before reaching the island. SO then
! sent for YOU.
The girl stared At him with widening eyes
while a deeper color creIot into her face.
My plan, continued her guest was to %
by steamer to Tahiti which Is only about a
thousand miles from this island and there buy
or charter little sChooncr.-the smaller the
better ship three or four natives, and 90 after
the stuff myself
But how could YOU She cried. " What Do
You know about navigation"
Enough for that. I'm a postgraduate
ydChtSman and know how TO work out 4 reckon
ing
The girl stared At him ncredulousv
That seems 10 me to be the best way he
continued. 1t minimizes the expense. and in
the event OF finding anything YOU don't have
to divide. So, # you like, I'll tackle IT. But
first. YOU VIII be so good as to apologize for hav-
ing called me q thief"
IN DO nothing of the sort " she answered
sullenly- You deliberately tried to make me
furious
VERY well Then its al off" He drew the
parchment from his pocket and tossed it
on the table, where it lay UNDECIDED. He rose to
his feet 90 | have the honor to wish you good
dav"
Proserpine did not answer; but her eyes were
fixed on HIM intently. Suddenly they brmmed
with tears. Don't go said She. Il apollo
gize'
He bowed and :eseated himself Then
what do you want 10 do about it" he asked
If | 90, you risk nothing | will make a copy
Of the map 50 that if | should not succeed in
reaching the island there IS no great harm
done"
What do you mean by not reaching the
islandl"
That part Of Oceanioa is full of uncharted
reefs-and I'm not professional sailorman. "
OF course" said she, looking down, YOU
shall have share Of the treasure.
Not one pesoi'
The girl did not At once answer. Then she
SAID Sulkily, " | don't understand. Why should
you want al Of your fathers money, and then
not take 4 share Of a treasure that may be
worth a miion?"
Because | don't need IT. do need the
other. | can't live my life without it. But |
don't need a big fortune My wants are Just as
limited IN one direction as they are pressing in
the other. II | should succeed in getting this
treasure for you, could enjoy my little income
with clear conscience.
ProSerpine slowly shook her head It's all
50 dIfterent-lt's SO un-American," she said
" There's not a man | know but would have
divided this miserable seven thousand dollars a
year without thought But almost any man
especially # he gong to take all the risk Of
getting II for me
Her companion smiled. " Its all in the view
point SAID he.
Proserpine her eyes still on his face, nodded
slowly I'm beginning to understand SAID
She. I'm sorry that acted as | did VII
YOU forgive me-
She reached out her small, prettily shaped
hand, which the man took pressed gently, and
released.
of course, he said. d" | quite understood"
The girls eyes brmmed over I'm a little
beast said she, and you've been a dear All
that | thought of you was a mistake. | see 1t
now. You're not soft-and you don't scare
worth a cent might easily have shot you,
Richard was furious, wild If you'd stirred
a hand really believe | should have pulled the
trigger
son ! sat still.
Weren't YOU frightened, really"
He laughed. " ! wasn't comfortable but,
honestly ! think was more worried on your
account
ON my account
l., a.-I.f ...r,ec VA. HIT tuyfi1