Middletown transcript., 1919-09-06

change his ways" The climax Of HIS
only love affair awoke him and gave
him a new perspective on life. He
worked hard and kept away from his
former boon companions. he said he
would "show her." but he didn't have
much of a chance, because the girl
and her father moved away a week
after Gaylord had received his ulti-
,matum. No one knew where they had
gone. But Gaylord lived In hope OF
receiving a letter some day and kept
his life clean in spite Of the tempta-
lions that assailed him to indulge in
various stimulants that might induce
forgetfulness. Well, here 1t was
year later and he had good position,
and had won respect, but no letter
had come. Finally his hopes had van
ished, and in search of some relief
for his heavy heart he had determined
to accept Layard's offer.
Il have given up my job on the
strength of the chance to hunt for
your treasure" he said, "and you sure
" won't go back on me. Maybe it Is
a wild-goose chase, but I want to try
it, Just the same"
Layard cast his partly consumed
cigar into the fireplace and went into
an adjoining room, from which ne re-
turned shortly with tin box, from
which he took piece of parchment
that cracked from age and seemed on
the point Of falling to pieces. The
two men drew their chairs close and
bent over the paper.
In a canyon Of the Cascade noun
tains, out in Oregon, some time after
the conference dealt with above, Gay.
lord Sumner lay beside stream suf-
fering from injuries received In falling
from a cliff only few yards away.
He was so weak from loss OF blood
that it had taken him fully two hours
to crawl to the stream, where he was
endeavoring, with Indifferent success,
to battle his most serious wound,
which was in his right side. His right
shoulder also had been badly
wrenched and his entire body felt
bruised.
Treasure" he laughed, hoarsely.
II found the cache all right, but the
treasure-a lot Of old tin cans and q
pickax. Treasure! Bah! A Wild
goose chase is right"
AS he spoke he discerned a thin
wreath of smoke ascending over hill
on the other side of the stream. He
became curious and determined to get
a glimpse over the crest Of the hill, II
II was his last act in this world. After
resting a few minutes longer to gain
strength, he staggered across the shall
low stream and gained the opposite
bank. where he rested again. This
time he could scarcely stand on his
feet, so he contented himself with
crawling, with the same speed and
perseverance as a snail, toward the
crest of the low hill. He paused fire.
uuently to gasp from the exertion, and
he felt that he would like to 60 to
sleep forever, something that was not
at all unlikely to happen.
At last, with a final desperate ef-
fort, using all Of the rapidly dwindling
strength that he could muster. he
dragged himself over the top of the
hill and found himself looking down
on a cozy-appearing little hut. The
smoke was from its chimney.
Otis Layard drew rein and halted
his horse.
"Hello!" he called, and the door Of
the cabin opened. A young man came
out.
"Well, what on earth are you doing
here?" inquired the latter after greet
ings had been exchanged.
II was told to take trip for my
health, so came out here to look you
up." Otis explained. as he dismounted.
II was afraid you might have got eat
en- up by mountain lions; and" he
added, grinning sarcastically, Il was
" lCdA NAOlASA yOu AAO
found the treasure"
Gaylords eyes lit up.
"Come on into the cabin" he urged,
and Otis followed him.
A girl with a somewhat plain but
attractive face, with hair that was a
blend Of auburn and gold, arose from
a seat near a window.
"A friend Of mine from the East
has just arrived" Gaylord told her.
"You may have met him in the East,
but 1 believe not. His name is Otis
Layard."
Otis grasped the slender, we'll
formed hand that was extended.
"N1r. Layard," said Gaylord, continu-
ing the ceremony of introduction, Il
want you to meet-the treasure"