Holbrook argus., 1910-01-18

weeping, exchanged but few words With each other and neither made aly 6llusiOn to the inheritance left then by their father Nevertheless, il be. came necessary in the course of tins to unseal the will and testament of their father, to confer with notaries. pened one night while these things were under discussion that Jose Ma. ria and Maria Josefa found themselves alone in the vast reception hall, the dim light in the spacious apartment just making the darkness, as it were, visible The sister drew near to the brother, touched him on the shoulder, and murmured timidly in a low voice.
 Jose, 1 have something to tell you "a very strange thing about papa"
 Tell me. darling-a strange thing?".
 'In truth it is. Do you wonder? There is a million reals in gold hidden in the farmhouse at Gaudeiuz.' ..
 NO. foolish one," he exclaimed. surprised and with sudden vehemence. "You have not understood correctly. Where this million reals is hidden is in the pasture field at Corchada."
 But, Jose, dear, papa described the place where it was hidden so carefully to me, with the most. minute details. It is in the basement; you must count 16 bricks to the left from the door, and underneath the seventeenth brick lies the stone with the staple in it that covers the treasure"
 But, Josefa, am certain that you in such careful description of the place, that I cannot possibly be mis- taken. It is in the pasture field. Near the wall of the old sheepfold, that is now no longer used, is kind of pool where the herd used to drink: behind 1t there is a small half-ruined arch, and at the foot of the arch lies paw ing-stUne with the corner broken of. Loosen this paving stone and you vii find brick-lined niche, in which is hidden a million reals"
 My dearest boy, but 1t is impossi- ble, Believe me When papa found that he was so much worse, in fact was hopelessly i'll, perhaps his mind was not altogether right; poor, dear papa, I have his words engraved"
 Maria declared Jose, seizing the hand of the young girl, "after think ing the matter over, I am convinced there must be two deposits, for this is the only reasonable explanation of the matter. Papa told me that this money was exclusively for me-"
 And to me that the money at Guadeluz was mine alone."-
 fau dox, lot tha sister made an excursion to Gaudeluz and found everything exactly as Ma ria Maria Josefa had described it. The treasure was locked up in a small iron coffer. the key of which could not be found. They carried the coffer away with them without attempting to open it and went on their way to Corchada where, at the foot of the ruined arch they found also another iron box of equal weight and size as the first. They carried the boxes home, and Jose got some tools from locksmitb and forced them open. As the lids burst open, disclosing the ! golden treasure, the brother and sis ter, without counting them, poured their contents together in a heap or 1 the carpet. Suddenly Maria trembled.
 There is a paper in the bottom of my bcx."
 And one in mine. too," observed | the brother
 Tt Is letter from papa"
 Yours, what does 1t say?"
 Listen. Come to the light. This is what it says: My son, if you read | this alone I sympathize with you and I forgive you: but if you read it with your sister I will come forth from my | grave to bless you
 The meaning of mine is the l same!" exclaimed Maria, moment later. sobbing and laughing at the ! same time.
 The papers were dropped and the brother and sister, standing on the heap of gold, treading the scattered coins into the carpet, clasped each other in long embrace.