The Story-Teller.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume X, Issue 911, 20 May 1891, Page 4

The Story-Teller.

A BOX OF TREASURE. Ol"? ?» .CL£#iLL ■•'"v- . > A(CbnttntMtZ.) As he spoke Bryne seated himself at one side of the table and placed the bottle of whisky upen it, bat did not offer to draw the cork or bestow any trpoif his dew friend, who;' took a seat ira the opposite side. Instead of showing generosity thus he launched oat into an excited description of the taking of jfche box of treasure and its sodden ana mysterious disappearance, and when done he pathetically appealed to Loder for bis advice and assistance. Loder listened to the whole with Ifojonaing gravity, his face expanding into -an expression of great relief as the narrative proceeded, and then he said deoidedly — ' The box has never been taken at all; you.innßt.have missed it m the dark, rfha-'i'll swear it's there yet.' Clever Daniel Loder I Bryne replied that he was inclined to think that he had looked the ttbolf place over , very caref nil y, and that therefore the treasure must have been taken by some one. They argued the point fery closely for some time — Bryhe always deferential to the superior experience of his dear friend, bat nevertheless inclined to.adhere to bis original opinion, till at last Loder, wearied w'th speaking, said— r - % fiThis is dify work ; what have you got here?' and he euggestivly tapped the bottle of doable ■ strong whisky. j l \* Whisky,' said Bryne, indiffer ntly, « tiitfi ''Pm-not inclined f«r drink. Suppose we J go over to the place, together and have a hunt round for that box? I'll go halves with you if we get it.' .•We'll, see about that after we're had something to drink,' said the obliging Loder, setting down a couple of mugs, placing one before Bryne, and then uncorking the bottle and filling the other for himself. ( There's plenty of time yet, and I'm astonished that you risked it so early.' He then, m thieves' language, wished his friend long life and prosperity, and gulped down nearly tne whole mngful of whisky. Nearly the whole, for jast when he had got so far the peculiar flavour of whisky struck even hii jaded palate, and made him pause with an expression which did not add to the beauty of bis face. < Where m the mischief did you get that stuff?' he cried, spitting rapidly. * Down m Madge, . Brown's/ said Bryflia, jwith perfect truth and an unmoved countenance. ' There's some horrid stnff m it,. O o my GdtfV'hbw bad I feel j' and'tiepWgan to sqairrii about, and tear at the region of his stomach. 1 Perhaps the bottle wasa* t quite clean,' calmly suggested Bryoe. * She's a careless hussy, you know.' Loder got so rapidly worse that he was not able, to discuss the .point.; He roared wVth agony; squirmed I '"himself down ,oa the floor, tore at his clothes und exhausted every word m his voc~ abulary to the effect that he waspoisoned and murdered. At first Bryne affected great concern, but as Loder became worse-and weaker his manner underwent a gradual change, till at length, when Lodeit'b eyes were nearly .glazing m liis head, Bryne sprang up and administered to his prostrate frame a 9eries of. kicks which effectually rdused him out of the lethargy. .'. YouVe very bad aren't you V h*. vengefully shouted down m the ears of the poisoned man. ' I hope you'll die of it ; I know you will', 5 for the drink has enough^ poison m it to kill twenty men. Oh, you can't rise, can't you* You're* -too 'weak, are you? Then taj L that! and that! and that!' and he kicr a his prostrate foe rapidly on the b/ 1? and .A i : m - s I _and legs, and body, tiU f h * senses of the poisoned wretch .. •„ began to swing. Then Bryne, Si, crossed the room, candle m h, - . °"". y stoo p in ffi dpwn, pulled > rom „^/^ bed the mforing W of.^^snre A groan from hofa . tr £ 9a £ was just conscip; a9 O f the loss he w" tSto oth , er ' with a Asperate effort, ceo - cr l awlal °ngtf* floor and interce f * the plunderer. Bryne turned and. treatr .d himarlf to another savage r.tkack 'upon his foe ; then, going to t'je table, he emptied tho dregs of the rang into t/ ie bottle, pocketed that, threw the mug nnder the grate, and left the roonj .. It was a moment of triumph, and Bryne felt more prond than if he had conquered a world. He had accomplished all he had aimed at, aiid who among as does not feel a thrill of satisfaction under these circumstances. ? Bryne joyfully made' lor his own. den m Career's Close, eager to gmsp th« treasure and destroy the box, *nd so avert any awkward traqes of tlie crime, should Loder linger 'long enough to lodge information against him. On the way up the close he emptied, out the poisoned whisky and smashed the bottle, and rejoiced over this destruction, though ten mimutes later he w»j to wish he had not done it We are never content. When he reached the dark passage leading to his own room a delicjous smell of fried liver and onions came wafting ont on his nostrils^ and made him painfully aware thai tie had not supped. He opened hia door ; the smell was from within ; hia wifo, who livpd by hawking dishes, was Ht home, and the supper bad been prepared by her, 'Whera's mjne7 'was Bryne's fijrsiji rniwbf ijifl i«i<J doira $Jti# ftp* Q j

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