Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1919-07-24
NOVELlZED FROM VITAGRAPH PHOTO PLAY

More WORK or that Mysteriou:
Stranger, l suppose. But one of these
days well get him" said Davis.
I'VE must be starved nigh unto death
and 1t needs d full stomach to KEEP
up with a divil like him. Come home
all Of ye, for I've the makin's of u
wonderful feast" urged the practical
Bridget, High Of spirits. they began
their return.
Half way upon their journey, a pc
culiar screen Of vines attracted the AT,
tention Of John, and upon his calling
the attention of the others to II, all
d~ismOunted. A moments investigates
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 u
small, casket-shaped box labeled "John
Carr" and further exploration reveal
ing the fact that Il number Of similar
boxes labeled in the same way were
scattered about. Eagerly they gather,
ed about their find.
anyway well 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 filed with rudely
melted but solid ingots Of pure gold
The Hawk dropped upon his knees
before II, running his hands through
the yellow metal. clinklng ingot against
ingot. His face held the flush Of d
drunkard and his eyes were aglow as
his voice arose in a hoarse whisper.
'The mine! The mine! At last we
have got H."
"And Il good quarter of million yell
low boys must be in those boxes, too"
croaked the SPIDER, no less avaricious-
ly than his chief" Davis, putting his
arm around Ethel, spoke:
III is Observation-Disclosures l hope
with the finding of it our dangers have
com 10 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,"
"Rigbt-o," sang Morgan, as he leap
ed to his feet. Hastily i%mprovising
saddle bags from coats, blankets and
whatever came handiest, they dump
ed the precious metal into its new re-
ceptacles and loaded it upon their
horses. Then walking at the heads of
their animals they continued their way
filed with suppressed excitement.
That night, praying for peaceful
slumbers, they placed the reasure In
Ethel's room intending to decide upon
its disposition In the morning.
With the Hawk and the Spider gone
to their rest ia the harness room, Bird
get asleep and Rainface curled up be-
fore the fireplace, Ethel raised her
lips to Johns in a good night caress.
Softly her arm stole about his neck.
Sod 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
well 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 o
and crept within. Lighting a candle
they began digging at the earth walls
of the cellar, and In the course OF a
half hour had made a tunnel severai
yards in length. The Hawk laid aside
his shovel and addressed his compan.
ion In q whisper.
1--WE must be directly beneath her
bed. Quiet now" With infinite care
he pried aside one Of the loosely nall
ed boards which constituted the floor
ing of the girls bed room and wrig-
gled up out of sight, while restrain.
ing his Impotence with difficulty the
other waited. Five minutes later Nor
gan returned. Rage contorted his face
and his voice shook with passion as
he hoarsely whispered.
someone has beaten us to 1t. It Is
g~one-every sinker of 1t. We will have
to wait until morning" Like whipped
ours they crept out into the night, for.
in their rage and disappoint-
ment to close the cellar door behind
them.
Early morning found all the mem
bers Of the household astlr save Ethel,
AS they were about to summon her to
breakfast she burst among them. her
face white and her hair streaming
down her back, a Navajo blanket drawn
about her slender figure.
The gold" she cried eYcitedly, as
she clutched John. ut Is %gobe-van-
as Il mirage" With EXPLANATIONS
of establishment and unbelief all rush
ed into her room. 1t was as bare Of
the treasure as q garnet.
Morgan turned upon Davis with an
ugly scowl.
Seems to me that It is up to you
to explain this disappearance, Davis"
Holly the other answered him.
II know no more about It than do
you. And If you dare insinuate that