The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-06-29

OF us will climb up into the cabin. and
figure it out"
They went along with me up the
ladder as though they were prisoners.
casting the last lingering glances be-
low, where the weird fame Of the
candle flickered yellow. the blows of
the cleaver echoing sharply as they
clustered about the stove. welcoming
the warmth Of IT, 1t had been frigid
below decks, although We had been
scarcely conscious of IL in our excite
ment But now We stood shivering.
gazing into each others faces and
actually afraid to talk lest the whole
occurrence should prove dream from
which a chance word might awaken
us. Three million pesos-here, actu-
ally here: almost within reach Of our
hands: they were digging for them
just below: even then. in the silence.
we could hear the faint echo of blows
being struck against the ice. Three
million pesos,-and II was all ours.
our very own-to divide. to spend. to
do with exactly as We pleased. We
had dreamed about all this before. on
the decks of the Inflated Sea Queen,
but now We sought TO grasp IT as an
actual existing fact. and our minds
seemed paraIyzed by the knowledge.
l even forgot that Doris was present
until she touched me gently on the
shoulder and I looked down into her
questioning eyes.
DO you not know what We have
just discovered below" l asked. still
tingling To the marvel of IT, The
treasure. the Spanish treasure"
'Oh. yes" but the soft voice seemed
tinged with sadness. Yet il does not
greatly interest me. Money seems SO
little here, so utterly valueleSS"
The simple words. the tone Of their
utterance brought me 10 myself as
though I had received an electric
shock. She was still smiling. yet all
at once l noticed how white her face
was. how dark the shadows beneath
her eyes. The lure OF the gold van
ished from my mind. as if some wiz
ards wand had waved II away /
thought OF the treacherous sea with
out. the life and death struggle before
us. those dreary leagues separating us
from hope. My hands clasped hers.
the expression OF love In my eyes
Frightening her face instantly.
That is so much better. Jack" she
said tenderly. Il knew it was only
the madness OF a moment which
caused YOU to forget. Come out on
deck with me until you lose ali mem
DRY of it-until bring you back to
real life again.
Il do not need IL. sweetheart" and
bent low. looking into her eyes. The |
fever has left my blood. hardly |
know how II ever laid such hold upon |
ME. but the thought OF all that wealth |
below drove me as mad as the others. !
You see how much ! need YOU
"Ch. no: you would have recovered |
my help. although it might |!
have required more time 10 complete |
d cure. But l fear there is no hope |
for the men"
Il certainly shall not spare you to |
10 them"
She laughed. her happiness Of dis7o- |
sition returning
That would be useless: they are Of |
different stamp. The fever for sudden
wealth is in the blood OF all OF us.t
See how excited Celeste is. Perhaps
4 1 had ever experienced poverty
night be crazed also. But 1t Is SO
oolish here-here," and she swept
Ter hands about in comprehensive ges-
ure. when We know It can be ours
'nly for a day. or at most q week"
But We have not given up hope"
protested. Why should We: The
Donna Isabel seems stanch beneath
IS"
Even in case of that miracle vsnr