The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-20

"But it was all secure there, in the
safe?' said Ronald.
$50 I thought, until yesterday,
said Vane, with an apologize little
laugh; But, the night before, L
woke from an unpleasant dream. /
dreamt that the Hawk had gone
down with all hands on board, and,
of course, the safe with her. Stu
pid things, dreams; but this one at
fected me, and felt that I couldn't
rest until I'd got the wallet away
from the yacht. So brought it to-
night"
Look here, Vane," said Ronald,
with an attempt at rallying him;
"this things getting on your nerves.
You must pull yourself together, old
man.
81 know" assented Vane, shame
fully, and with a touch Of self-con-
tempt. But I can't help it. The
whole thing has been so easy; we've
met with no difficulties
by the way, We haven't got 1t
yet" said Ronald quietly.
That's just it!'' retorted Vane
quickly. '.As you. say. there's many a
slip 'twixt the cup and the lip. and ]
| have a presentiment. which can't
get rid of. that something will hap
| pen at the last moment. I mean
that all our difficulties will be crowd
ed into the end of our enterprise. It's
only a fancy, of course. There's
something in the air of this place, de-
lightful as it is, that makes me fee
slack. By the way, you look yer,
fit"
"Oh, I'm all right" said Ronald
colouring and laughing rather con
sciously.
"You take plenty Of exercise" sait
Vane: ''you trot around with you
gun, and row about as if-well, as i
hand; while 7 can't think Of any
thing else. And yet you say yo'
want money badlyf"
$50 1 do assented Ronald; "bu
but there are other things" h
stammered. What are you going =
do with that thing"
"Im dashed if know!" said Van
irritably, and quite unlike himself
"Of course, I needn't really worr.
about 1t, because I can remember ev
cry blessed word of the directions
though this morning a beast Of a,
idea got hold of me that I'd clea
! forgotten 'em. I thought I woul
carry the wallet about with me; but
might drop down dead or get drown
ed"
"Oh, stow it," demonstrated Ron
aid.
"I knowi-I know!" growied Van,
, much annoyed with himself. I'm
perfect fool. But, see here, wha
: shall we do with it? If we hide
in the house here. the place migt
catch fire; it would burn down !
ten minutes"
, Ronald checked a hearty laugh q
4 his friends pessimism; for he sa'
: vane was really worried.
J, Its all nonsense, Of course" b
said; "but, if you are really uneas.
. let us bury the thing outside"
81, too, thought Of that" sal
Vane. I'm glad you agree with m
t Wen bury it together, so that,
$ anything should happen to one of u
$ the other
t Ronald struck him on the shoulds
;, and laughed outright this time.
n IF any one had told me that yc
a would carry one like this B,
D never mind; let's hide it away
8 once"
n Vane unlocked the door noiselessl
: listened for a moment to Smither
6 penny whistle, which was going me
r rily, said:
u Send him away"
eli, Smithers!" called Ronal
d 1--we left my tobacco-pouch in IL
It boat; wish you'd go and get it Fl
8 me-"
8 aye, aye, sir!" responded Smit
d ers; and presently they heard hi
e trotting towards the landing-place
le They went out with an air of ca
le ualness. and looked about them.
Anywhere will do" said Ronal
n mo, it mustn't be too near t
h house." said Vane; "some one mig
see the newly disturbed earth. We
le go to the little bit of rock there"
n. Ronald nodded assent, and tn
lie sauntered TO the spot, sat down. on
l. rock, and smoked in silence for
at minute or two. and in that spa
ID Ronald's mind actually wander
lie from the treasure to that other isla
s. where greater treasure dwelt.
% last Vane knelt down, scooped wi
> his knife a small hollow in the ear
a placed the wallet in it, and filled
- the hole. He sighed with relief
he finished the operation, and lin
es ing his arm in Ronald's, almost DIR
ly him away.
That's off my mind" he sa