The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-24

might De reIurneQ 10 Odnduds Out IpOHl
there would go anywhere so long as it
was not back to her. While be was
waiting he thought Of the hole he had
fallen into when knocked out Of the
tree and was seized with a desire to
knew more Of his iron pillow. There
was not much change in the situation
of the British and German lines, and
he thought it likely that he might be
able to visit the spot
One day he went out in search Of
it and found that his comrades had
dug a line of trenches about a quarter
Of a mile in advance of it. There was
the hustle usual to the rear OF an
army. Men, nurses, horses. motor
cars, everything, anything. going and
coming. He found the tree and rec
ognized 1t by its shape. Standing I'M
der 1t, he looked down into the hole
where he had lain wounded. 1t was
sufficiently deep to admit OF his going
down into it without much likelihood
of being seen. This he did, and, sit
ting down near the spot where the
iron had been barred, he began to shove
the earth with his heels.
1t was not long before he uncovered
the top Of an oblong sheet iron box or
trunk about three feet long by two
feet wide. Scooping the earth away
from before the lock, he looked about
for a stone with which to break 1t
open; but. testing it, he found that 1t
was not locked. Lifting the cover, he
saw sight that surprised him. Low
ering the lid, he kicked the dirt over 1t
again and, making his way out Of the
hole, went back to his place among
those discharged men waiting for
transportation.
What he had found In the box was
the valuables usually contained in the
home of rich man. Such as were not
too bulky to go into the limited space
had eventually been hurriedly placed
there.
Keeping his secret, George the next
day borrowed a needle and thread and
remnants Of cloth and began to make
pockets in his garments, though they
were rather bags. When night came
he returned to the hole and, uncovering
the box, removed much of the con-
tents, which he placed in his pockets
He did not need a light; the sense OF
touch was quite enough. He could
only take the smaller articles, the 9th.
ers being too bulky. He had brought
a shovel with him, and when he closed
the box he put couple of feet OF
earth on its top.
One day Ellen Barry was washing the
breakfast dishes when, looking out
through the window beside her, she
saw a man coming in at the gate. He
was well dressed, one sleeve being pin
ned to his coat front. When. he came
nearer she recognized her lover. Run
ming to the door, she threw her arms
about his neck, while he embraced hel
with his single arm.
"Oh, Georger she exclaimed rueful
ly, looking at the empty sleeve.
1--WE got something for it." he said
"Come into the house and I'll tell yor
all about It."
When he had told her what has beer
thus far recounted he continued:
when ! opened the box l saw a
once that some one, doubtless in view
of an army coming, had put the famil,
valuables in It and, taking 1t to tn,
base of the tree from which wal
picking Off Germans, had buried 1
there, intending to recover 1t after thu
war. There was gold plate and loos'
jewels On my second visit l took tn,
jewels. leaving the gold plate. TIL,
owner had buried his treasure five fee
under ground, not dreaming that /
would be uncovered by bursting shell
'The jewels l have brought bacl
with me, only having turned into cas-
those needed for expenses. doubt
they are more than fraction in valu
of what remains in the box. When tn
war ends / shall return to France an
see IL l can find the owner. though
doubt 1t, and make a return of hi
property. l shall expect a reward larg
enough to enable you and me to b
married and set up housekeeping will
out risk. have had the jewels valued
and they have been pronounced To-
tune In themselves. Whatever we nee
while the war lasts will come froI
thelsale Of such articles as win produc
the required amount"
Ellen approved of her lovers way q
looking at 1t. They were married an
set up small store. Their little HON
and their business are all they n
Quire to make them content, for 1t
not great possessions that bring happ
ness-indeed, quite frequently sue
sudden visits of fortune destroy hal
piness. Besides, to the couple falls
measure Of comfort that they are al
propriating from the treasure acc
dentally found only what the owne
should have given them for their stew
ardship. For George argues that ha
he not covered the box containing th
| treasure it would have likely been dii
covered and looted.
George is looking forward TO the da
when the war will be ended and b
viii go to France to make a settlemen
He and Ellen often wonder whethe
the box win be there. Likely this d,
ponds upon whether another shell wi
expose 1t. When either side attempt
to demolish its enemy's trenches
hurls so many explosives that shout
the location OF the treasure be bon
barded it is quite likely that its col
tents will be scattered to the winds.
Recently a correspondent sent to
London newspaper an account Of ii
finding, after a battle which took plaC
on the English German lines, of sea
tered articles Of great value. The
were picked up by British soldiers an
1 anDronriafad h1y fharn Couaa oR fha,