The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-06-26
An Inheritance
From the Sea


rather worried as be turned II TO-
wards bis young wife, who Just
came IN.
Amy news today. Gerald?"
Nothing but a letter from Levy,
who Is very unreasonable. He gives
me until next Wednesday, but | am
afraid / can no more pay him the
s2.600 on Wednesday than ! can to
day" Gerald replied sadly.
"But can't you get the $1,000 for
the pictufs Johnson is to sell for
your
mo, be just writes me today THAI
the customers won't pay more than
$3.50, II really looks as if one can
get money only from the usurers.
said Gerald. handing the other letter
to his wife,
Well. don't give up, anyway, 4 VIII
ali come out all right"
At this moment the patter Of little
feet was heard outside. me door was
thrown open and two fair-haired chill
dten came rushing toward their IA
fher Gerald picked them up. placed
one on each knee and the next mo-
ment all his melancholy had flown.
When the door of the studio had
closed behind them and Gerald faced
his work again. the worries came
back and prevented him from work
Ing
He stopped at the big window over
looking the garden and the Long Is
land hills In the distance. Five years
ago Gerald had built the little studio
bungalow which had grown 50 dear to
his heart. and now Il looked as II he
must lose It. The five years he had
spent at Freeport had been the hap
piest in his life. until he had been
tempted to try tiier In stocks The
venture failed and he negotiated a
loan from Levy to cover his margins.
only TO lose the whole amount any
way.
The more Gerald thought over the
situation, the more impossible u
seemed to find way out. and throw
ing aside his brushes he put on his
hat and went fer a long walk along
the shore road. Three hours walk
brought him to the narrow strip OF
sand stretching towards Long Beach
where he and the seagulls we're the
only living beings The beach was
covered with all kinds of tiotsam
thrown ashore by the tide and left
stranded by the receding waves
Among all this Gerald's eyes suddenly
struck something that looked like an
old bag half buried IN the sand Me-
he began to dig Il out and
saw that It really was a heavy oil.
cloth bag tightly tied with stout whip
cord. He ripped 1t open with his pock-
ct knife and found inside belt
with heavy brass buckle and with a
number Of pockets. He opened one
OF these and would hardly bel.e-s MS
own eyes when he found 1t filled with
$40 gold pieces He quickly wrapped
It up in the oilskin emo starten home
wards.
He went inside. hid bis bundle in
the hall closet and opened the door
of the studio. His wife jumped up.
the worried expression disappeared
from her face and she said cheerfully:
Il am so glad you came back, Ger
aid; have you been looking for mo-
itives ?"
"Yes. dear, and hope have found
something good" Gerald replied,
throwing himself into an easy chair
II just want cup Of tea" he added
as he filled his pipe, then | will 60
down to the bank and ask old Win
ters to come and take dinner with us.
The dinner was great success. al
though the trgc men had locked them
selves up in the studio until the soup
was nearly cold.
I'VE will take the coffee and cigars
IN the studio, Beatrice" said Gerald,
"and we should like to have your
company. I'VE won't talk bit about
business. We have a little examina-
tion to make"
4 do not know what you mean. Ger
aid"
You will soon see, dear" he an
swered with smile. and led the way
into the studio. where a cheerful fire
Was blazing. A table had been placed
near the fire and on this we're a mum
Der Of stacks Of gold coins neatly ar.
ranged In rows. There was also the
old oil cloth bag and. IN a cup. lot
Of diamonds cut and uncSt There
was also a broken chiant bottle and
q paper cover with writing taken from
tho bottle. This evidently contained
the key Of the mystery and Beatrice
picked It up with trembling fingers.
while the two men looked at her,
Read II aloud. dear" said Gerald.
and che began TO read
January 4, 1Se4--lt is starting to
blow up and the wreck is going to
pieces plank BY plank am the only
survivor Of the crew Of the bark
Nina The second mate died this
morning.
Together with this letter wrap
np all my savings Of IS years These
things are Of no use to me now. but
I hope that If the belt Is ever found
M NAV be BY somebody IN need Of e..