Polk County news-gazette. (Benton, Tenn.) 190?-191?, 1910-12-08

make the transfer!
A counterfeiter, however, would
hardly work by so picturesque and
noticeable a method, unless he were
carefully disguised-hardly even then
Was Senior Poritol disguised? Orme
looked at him more closely. No, he
could see where the roots of the
coarse black hair Joined the scalp.
And there was not the least evidence
of makeup on the face. Nevertheless,
Orme did not feel warranted in giving
up the marked bill without a definite
explanation. The little man was a
comic figure, but his bizarre exterior
might conceal a dangerous plot. He
might be thief, an anarchist, any.
thing.
Please, my dear sir, please do not
add to my already very great anxi-
ety." pleaded the visitor.
Orme spoke more decisively. you
are a stranger, Senior Poritol don't
know what all this mystery conceals,
but l can't give out that bill unless l
know more about it-and l won't" he
added, as he saw Senior Poritol open
his mouth for further pleading.
Very well" sighed the little man.
He hesitated for an instant, then add
ed: Il do not blame you for insisting
and suppose must say to you every
thing that you demand. No, | do not
smoke the cigar, please. But if you
do not object" He produced
square of cigarette paper and some
tobacco from a silver-mounted pouch,
and deftly rolled a cigarette with one
hand, accepting match from Orme
with the other Closing his eyes. he
inhaled the smoke deeply, breathing it
out through his nostrils.
well" he hesitated, his eyes
rowing about the room as if in search
of something-"Well l will explain to
you why want the bill"
Orme lighted a fresh cigar and set
tied himself to hear the story. Sc
nor Poritol drew a second handker-
chief from his pocket and mopped his
damp brow.
you must-know, my very dear sir,
he began, that come from a country
which Il very rich In the resources Of
naptire Kn tkx errstrrleti inttrIur are
very great mineral deposits which are
little known, and since the day when
the great Vega made the first explora-
ton, there has been the belief that the
Urinaba mountains hide great
wealth in gold. Many men for three
hundred years have risked their most |
precious lives to go look for it. But |
they have not found it. No, my dear
sir, they have not found it until-But |
have patience, and you shall hear
everything.
"A few days ago countryman of |
mine sent word that he was about to
die. He asked that l, his early friend,
should come to him Immediately and
receive news of utmost Importance.
he was lying sick in the hotel of
small city in Wisconsin. He was a
tobacco agent and he had been at
tackled by death while he was on a
business trip.
Filled with the heartbroken hope
to see him once more before he died,
went even as / was, to a train and
made all haste to his bedside"
What was his name?" asked Orme.
Lopez" replied Senior Poritol
and Orme knew that the
answer might as we'll have been
Smith But the little man returned
quickly to his story.
my friend had no strength left He
vas, oh, so weak that wept to see him.
But he sent the doctor and the priest
tut OF the room, and then-and then
lie whispered in my ear secret. He
lad discovered rich gold in the Uri-
laba country. He had been trying to
arm money to go back and dig up the
,old. But, alas! now he was dying,
md he wished to give the secret to
ne, his old friend
Tears streamed on my cheek" Sc
Tor Poritors eyes filed seemingly at
he remembrance. But took out my
ountain pen to write down the direc-
ions he wished to give. See--this was
he pen" He produced gold-mount
d tube from his waistcoat.
Il searched my pockets for a piece
1 paper. None could discover.
here was no time to be lost for my
riend was growing weaker, oh, very
asst. In desperation took fve-dol-
ar bill, and wrote upon it the direc-
Ions he gave me for finding the gold.
wen as finished it. dear Lopez
reathed his last breath"
Orme pulled at his cigar. $50 the
al carries directions for finding a ,
lch deposit in the Urinaba noun
iins?" I
Yes, my dear sir. But you would /
OF rob me of it. You could not un. I
erstand the directions" :
"oh, nc" orme laughed. 81 have '
} interest In South American gold /
lines" r
Then accept this fresh BILL" i'm i
lored Senior Poritol, land give me h
ack the one yearn for"
Orme hesitated. "A moment more" 6
2 said. Tell me. how did you lose :
OF the marked blll?" 9
The South American writhed In his /,
air and leaned forward eagerly. /,
That is the most distressing part OF !
\ . I.fk |