The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1919-08-22

In WOnQerment, TOT apparently winning
from within the wall of rock they
heard rhythmcal tap, tap, tap that
could scarcely have been made by
other than human hands.
"It's that INDIAN whispered the
Hawk to his pal. But where is Davis
body" With a wild tide of hope rush
ing to her heart, Ethel picked up
crowbar and began digging frenziedly,
while urged to effort by her importuni-
ties Morgan and Bellas again fell to
laboring at her side. Five minutes
later they tore down great rock, and
scarcely had it landed at their feet
than from out the opening it revealed
Davis came crawling. The next in
stant Ethel was in his arms.
"Hell's hounds.'' gritted Morgan.
Ibid ever man have such luckT
The Spider gave him vicious nudge.
"Shut up, you fool. or you'll give us
| both away. "Join in the merrymaking
now, and take it out of his hide later"
Swallowing his anger Morgan seized
the escaped ones hand and wrung it
warmly as he congratulated MIN upon
mis- miraculous deliverance.
'More work of that Mysterious
Stranger, suppose. But one Of these
days we'll get him." said Davis.
"Ye must be starved nigh unto death,
and it needs full stomach to keep
up with divil like him. Come home.
all of We, for I've the makin's of
wonderful feast" urged the practical
Bridget. High of spirits. they began
their return.
| Half way upon their journey, a pc
| cuiiar screen of vines attracted the at
tention of John, and upon his calling
| the attention of the others to it, all
| dismounted. A moments investigation
revealed the fact that the vines screen
ed the entrance to another cave. and
| pushing them aside all entered. The
| first thing that met their eyes was
small casket-shaped box labeled John
| Carr" and further exploration reveal
| ing the fact that a number of similar
| boxes labeled in the same way were
scattered about. Eagerly they gather
ed about their find.
| Anyway we'll find out what is in
them" laughed Morgan as inserting
| the end of a pick beneath the cover
| of one he tore the fastening off. With
low cries of wonderment the beholders
shrank back, clutching each other,
their eyes protruding. unable to be-
lieve their senses. For from bottom
to cover the box was filled with rudely
melted but solid ingots of pure gold.
The Hawk dropped upon his knees
before it, running his hands through
the yellow metal. clinking ingot against
ingot His face held the flush of
drunkard and his eyes We're aglow as
his voice arose in hearse whisper.
1.-The minel The mine At last we
have got it,"
| "And a good quarter of million yell
low boys must be in those boxes, too
croaked the Spider, no less avarcious-
ly than his chief" Davis, putting his
arm around Ethel, spoke:
at is great-wonderful- l hope
with the finding of ii our dangers have
come to an end. But we had best be
getting it out of here. The cabin is
the place for it tonight where we can
guard it,"
"Right-o" sang Morgan, as he leap
ed to his feet. Hastily improvising
saddle bags from coats, blankets and
whatever came handiest. they dump
ed the precious metal into its new re-
eeptacles and loaded it upon their
| horses Then walking at the heads of
their animals they continued their way
filled with suppressed excitement.
That night, praying for peaceful
slumbers, they placed the treasure in
Ethel's room intending to decide upon
its disposition in the morning.
| With the Hawk and the Spider gone
| TO their rest in the harness room, Brld-
get asleep and Rainface curled up be-
fore the fireplace Ethel raised her
| lips to Johns in good night caress.
i Softly her arm stole about his neck.
| "God has been good to US, John,
dear. He has saved you and me from
many perils. l am going to thank
Him. Good night"
Good night. dearest" he whispered,
kissing her many times.
The moon had arisen and the still
ness of midnight lowered over the
| place The door of Ethel's closet open
ed softly and the face Of the Hermit
appeared. smiling as he saw her sleep
| ing peacefully. Crossing the room with
noiseless steps he raised two Of the
gold-glutted bags in his arms and re-
entering the closet disappeared through
the trap. Three times more he re-
peated this. the last time bearing with
him the final nugget, and with a fare
wen smile at the still sleeping girl he
closed the door and opened it no more.
Scarcely had he taken his silent
farewell than the Hawk and the Spi-
der. sneaking from the harness room,
tools in hand, opened the cellar door
ana crept within, Lighting candle
they began digging at the earth walls
of the cellar. and in the course of a
half hour had made a tunnel several
yards in length. The Hawk laid aside
his shovel and addressed his compan-
inn In, "a rs-ffSDer