Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1915-06-04

fully. "zeb White. you done had des,
feelin's every anniversary of old Pc
ter's death. Stop havin' 'em. Under
stand?"
zeb nodded and shufled OF to hi
duties In the dining room.
Amelia slammed around the kitchen
while Kenny skipped nImDly out Of
the way of the wrathful cook.
"Granny's foot! | amt afraid Of no
buddy." declared Amelia suddenly.
"Yes'm." muttered Henry nervously
you got lem sandwiches all made
Henny7" demanded the cook.
"Yes'm. and de cake is ready to bs
cut. and
run erIong and help Zeb. He's sc
hittery tonight he dunno whether his
haid's his haid or IA hole in de groun'.'
When the first guest arrived Esther
was In the front parlor with her ia
Their.
ITS Duncan Wood. Essie," %announc
ed the captain as he met young Wood
with cordial informality. Coming
early to make sure of your dances, eh,
Duncan" he ended playfully.
yes. Captain Belden, and to make
sure Of something else-perhaps,'
dared the handsome youth as he bent
over Esther's outstretched hand. Dun.
can Wood was a straight, slender, gal
liant looking figure In his eighteenth
century clothes of silver gray velvet
There was a touch of powder In his
dark hair. and his black eyes shone
with a steady purpose. Gossips would
have informed you that to win Esther
Belden was Duncan Woods sole object
In life.
1t was an object worth winning, any
way, for Esther was radiant In heI
great-grandipother's primrose brocade
with her brown eyes shining and one
black curl over her white shoulder. A
red rose was tucked behind her ear.
Where have l seen you wear thai
frockS' puzzled Duncan, holding her
hand.
Esther pointed at Great-grandmotheI
Belden's portrait over the mantel.
"Therel' she laughed. DO l moi
LOOK like her, Duucd14
alike as two peas" he. admitted
breathlessly. ''only ten times more love.
ly, Esther. I'm going to ask your IA
Their now, dear"
Before Esther could expostulate Dun
can had led her to the hearth, where
Captain Belden stood gazing into the
fire.
A-I.1- HtM
captain Belden, l have comesto ask
you for your greatest treasure an.
nounced Duncan soberly.
Captain Belden whirled around and
stared down at them-Duncan SO brave
in his finery. Esther so winsome In her
girlish beauty.
"My greatest treasure, Duncan" hi
repeated. "She is that, M lad, but ]
will set a task for you. If you love
Esther you must win her. Bring mt
Uncle Peters treasure box and Esther
is yours" He smiled whimsically.
"Fatherl' cried Esther sharply.
"Ah." breathed Duncan. .that Ii
akin to a refusal, STRIP
mo. no. lad! The treasure is here
but / cannot find 1t. Prove your eyes
sharper than mine and saw the home
stead for u.s."
rs 1t as grave as that. ~captain?"
Eyes; Reuse us, Duncan; OtheI
guests are arriving"
Esther flashed a long look over hel
shoulder as she went forward to greet
her guests, and Duncan found a chail
and sat down. He had often heard
the Beldens speak Of the treasure
chest which Uncle Peter had mention
ed in his will and which had never
been found since the old mans death
There had been one rainy afternoon
when he and Esther had set out tc
hunt the treasure chest, but theif
quest had ended in the library win.
dow seat because Duncan had so much
to tell her shout his travels abroad.
And what are treasure chests OF
mere gold when one can weave a
golden romance in the freight?
The evening sped rapidly. Duncan
danced several times with Esther, and
the moments were weighted with un'
speakable bliss.
There was one hour during which
Duncan talked with Captain Belden
and learned the history of the treas
ure chest with its stores of gold, jew
els and valuable securities, the hoard.
ing of Uncle Peters misery lifetime.
The clocks were striking the quarter
hour before midnight when Duncan
claimed his third dance with Esther
Belden.
"ShaIl we dance or sit in the Ii.
brary?" asked Duncan, throwing his
weight of opinion in favor of the IL
brary.
Neither decided Esther, with dane
ing eyes. Duncan. would you really
like to find the treasure chest?"
would II" he answered, and she
blushed rosy red.
"Then let us go a-spying for 1t now.
I have thought of a likely ~place-the
old clock ease in the lower corridor,