Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-27
ing the position of the cave there was

ing the position of the cave there was a
little CROSSE
so there was I exclaimed. although
the reading did not mention it,,
NO but it is there nevertheless
stopped down-the entrance was
scarcely three feet high. but quite broad
and made to go through.
"Wait!'' She seized me in great alarm.
You can't go there and leave me here"
she cried.
Il promise YOU that I will not stir
three feet from the entrance If You will
suffer me that far l answered.
II must come. too. them she urged.
II will see that is there first and if it
is safe you shall come with me- I an
swered.
AS spoke I crawled through and found
myself in another smaller chamber.
There being ;, danger, 1 stretched out
after me. From some distant crevice the
air came to us: We could feel 1t blow
upon us and it was sweet. Also I could
hear water babbling over rocks In the
distance. 1t was little damp in the
cave, perhaps because. Of that. There
by the lantern. 1 could not see the
farther wall.
We did not need to go farther into the
cave. for there before us lay number
and ancient The boxes had once been
iron strapped. but the iron had rusted
and the wood had rotted. ! found. l
stepped over to one Of them. lifted the
lid. which crumbled at my touch. and
there was the treasure-ingots of gold and
silver. Thousands of pounds lay to our
hands! The old buccaneer had told the
truth. The story Of the parchment was
not romance; the plumber of the ancient
galleOn yas there.
1 have read. as you all have. the great
romance of Alexander Selkirk. and the
uselessness Of this mass of gold and sill
yer of which the Spaniards had robbed
the natives. making them toll to death
in the mines, for which Sir Philip Wilber-
forces men had fought and died. for
which the men on the Rose Of Devon had
committed murder, and which, had We
been able to dispose of it, would have
bought anything the world had to oner.
came home to me. For my part. l
would gladly have exchanged it all for a
stout boat and a clear passage through
the reef with a chance for freedom.
We'll, your NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
father, for how many generations back
l know not, was right" 1 said at last.
THE treasure is here and We have found
it. 1t is yours"
YES" she said. to whom the same
thought had come: but now that we
None" l admitted. that I can see,
that is: but there is certain satisfaction
In having found 1t and in knowing that
you can own 1t even If you cannot take it
away. am glad that events have proved
that we came on no FOOLS Grand"
And what may be its value, think
think your
ut would make good ballast for a
ship" 1 answered. lightly.
But If We could take 1t hence to Eng
land.'
Millions. I can only guess
II will give you one-half Of 1t for your
share she said. laughing softly.
Il want none Of it," l returned, seri-
ously enough.
What possessed her to do 1t know not
and she since confessed she knows not
either. We stood there, looking down
upon the useless treasure, when she turn
ed to me on a sudden.
Now that You have seen it are you
still Of the same mind" she said. mis-
| chievously, that you would give up your
portion of the treasure-for ne?'
Great God!' I cried. moved beyond
measure by her imprudent remark, and
thrown off my balance by her-dare I say
-coquetry, ~ would give up the world
itself for you. Don't you know it?
And made step toward her, but she
put up her hand.
cried, affrighted at the consequences of
her pleasantly, and I could swear she
turned crimson In the candlelight. IT'S
not time or place now. Remember that
mercy"
Il shall never forget that again."
said. grimly; this treasure removes you
farther away from me than ever
What mean your?
when you get back to England and
take your place once more among your
friends in that society to which your
birth entities you and which this wealth
will enable you to sustain
"And who is to take me back to Eng
land?"
"I"
'How?"
II know not. but + shall do it,
And with the treasurer
with the treasure, too; at least a suf-
f1ciency of it for all your needs
And when you have done this amaz-
ing thing for me you expect to disappear
from my life. Master Hampdon?''
Aye. If need be-
She laughed and I did not understand
the meaning Of that laugh, either.
CTo be continued tomorrow