Year: 1874

not been thus you would have taken mine,
and then my mother would have had no
protector. IT'S better as it is."


AS the hunter thus spoke to himself, he
drew the body within the bushes, and hav-
ing covered it over as best he could for the
night, he went back to the spot where he
had left his bundle, and having reloaded
his rifle and swung his package across his
shoulder, he once more started quickly
homeward.


1t was almost dark when Orlando reach
ed home, and he found his mother sitting
upon the door-stone waiting for him but
she seemed not to have suffered under any
apprehension, for she greeted him with
quiet smile, and Immediately led the way
to the interior, where he found his supper
in waiting. Often during the meal, did the
young man cast his eyes upon the old
oaken chest that stood in the corner, and
he resolved that he would that very night,
if he had an opportunity, make thorough
search through it-for that it had once con-
tanned paper of some Importance to his





that it might be there even now he had
strong reason to believe, since he had heard
the strange words of his mysterious friend.
Perhaps there was some place-some crack
some secret hiding hole that might yet
come to light and if so, he resolved to find
it out. At an early hour Mrs. Chester
retired to rest, and ere long afterwards
Orlando heard the loud snore of Elpsey,
and feeling sure that all was now secure,
he proceeded to re-light the candle which
he had extinguished when his mother retir-
ed.


With noiseless tread Orlando glided
into his mothers room, and having secur-
ed the key, he stepped silently back and
went to the chest. He threw back the lid,
and with trembling, nervous hand he
began to take out the articles which it con-
tanned and lay them carefully aside. He
did not stop to examine them, for he had
seen his mother do it so often, that he knew
they did not contain the sought-for treas
palpable contents as quickly and silently as
possible. AT length they were all out, and
the bare oaken surface was exposed to his
view, and having set the candle within the
chest, he began to examine the corners and
joints Of the old box. With his knuckles
he raped upon every part, and he met
the same dull, heavy sound, showing con-
clusively that there was no secret chamber
within the massive wood that met his
touch. Then the idea of the lock came to
his mind, and stepping softly to wi ore his
rifle hung over the fire place, he took
it down, and having opened the box in its
breech, he took therefrom a small screw
driver, aud went back to the chest. The
lock was soon free in his hand, but he
gained nothing for his trouble, only the
satisfaction of knowing that the thing he
sought was not there. The wards, the
guards, and all its springs and bolts were
revealed to his gaze, but nought save the
handiwork of the locksmith was to be seen.
With a sad and disappointed countenance
the young hunter began to re-pacIx the
chest. Something had almost assured him
that the paper was there t was not the
words of Chiron-though what he had
said had strengthened him in the opinion
but u was the full blowing of conviction
that had long haunted his mind. Now,
however, that conviction sank again below
even hope as Orlando replaced the
key where hc had found it, he did it with
the belief that it turned not the bolt upon
the object of his mothers firm, unwaveriDg
anxiety If the paper had ever been there,
it was in all probability gone where, he
knew not and he endeavored to think
that he cared not.


CHAPTER Nv.


While Orlando Chester was engaged in
concocting his plans for the opening Of the
old chest there was an interesting scene
taking place at the house of Ada's father.


On the return of her parents she hasten
ed to tell them Of the interview between
herself and Orlando, and the results. In
so doing her parents could easily see that
Ada had placed her hearts affection on
this youth, but yet they could not blame
her.


AS she finished her story her father
arose from his chair and commenced pacing
the room. What he had heard had moved
him much but it could not be with anger
for his eyes were moist with softer emo
tion. His wife watched his countenancs
with an eager gaze, seeming to dwell upor
her husbands thoughts for clue to hel