Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-11-02


called him aToppling Craig" He was
content to be without friends. He
felt that he did not care to treat "a
friend. He was unsociable, for pleas
ure cost money. 1t was thus he had
made his fortune. He was ready
now to enjoy it. He had trodden the
finty, narrow way to the end. and
now his feet rested on the smooth,
level path, and the toilsome journey
was done.
He had never allowed himself the
pleasure of handling and musing over
his money, lest it should content him,
and so destroy the wish for more. To-
day he would exult over it to his
hearts content. He took it from his
breast and was lingering it lovingly,
when he heard some one fumbling
with the lock of his door. Then came
a shower of soft blows upon the lower
panels.
Il want to come in. Lem'me in"
said an impatient, childish voice.
Craig went and opered the door,
and lifted the child in lis arms. He
sat down on one of the 'ickety chairs,
and stood her up on his knee. This
was Pussie, Annie's little daughter.
Craig, thinking of this, cOlored when
he kissed her. His life had been SO
hard and rough, that he almost wor-
shipped this dainty little damsel. She
knew it and in her innocent, childish
fashion, exulted in her power over this
big, stern man. She thrust her white
dimpled hands into his coarse black
hair, and rumpled it out Of pure mis-
chief Craig encircling her with one
arm, held the roll of bills just above
her reach, swooping it aggravatingly
down now and then to gently brush
her face He keenly enjoyed even the
petty triumph of having fortune for
plaything. Warning her not to
snatch, he displayed to her the pic
lures, which were the only value the
money had in her eyes. Then they
fell to playing hide and seek with this
expensive toy. In the midst of great
gale of fun, there came knock at the
door.
Come in," said Craig, and Mr..
Burley entered. He was the real es-
tate agent with whom Craig had deal
ings in regard to purchasing a house.
Burley paused on the threshold, and
Craig, seeing him SO graceful in man
ner. so tasteful in dress, rose to his
feet, and gave little shake, as if to
better settle himself in his ill-ftting
garments. He had to remind himself
of his wealth to overcome the shame
facedness produced by his coarse at
tire and his big brown hands.
Il think | have at last found house
that will suit you, Mr.. Craig. You
spoke also of buying horses and car
riage. | have an establishment in the
street which | would like to show you.
We might drive over to the house
with them. You could then see the
horses aud tho residence together !:
killing two birds with one stone"
Craig's life on the plains had given
him a knowledge of and a love of
horses. He ran eagerly down stairs
and into the street. The appearance
of such a stylish turnout in that low
quarter had attracted all the loafers
in the nighborhood. To man born and
bred a gentleman, this would have
been intolerable. Craig liked it. He
stood talking to Burley about his hor-
se8, and trying to appear unconscious
Of the crowd that stared at and can
vassed him. Annie was standing in
the doorway.
Didn't | tell you, my girl, that you
should ride in your own carriage ?
I've only to say the word and that'll
be mine" and he pointed to the sleek
black horses and the glittering car
riage and then he slapped his pocket.
"Jist look at the ould chap now, "
said a voice in the crowd. Shure
its plisant to strike yourself where
there's goold to break the blow"
$50 that's the woman thought Bur
ley. I" l might have known he would
have some woman to make a fool of
himself over. Faugh! what a place
and what a set 2"
He went up to Craig and reminded
him that time was passing, and their
ride was not taken. With ostenta.
tious carelesSness, Craig still idled a
few moments before seating himself
in the carriage.
Parrenu," muttered Burley.
They had not ridden block before
Craig clapped his hand to his breast
with an articulate expression of alarm.
'Drive back" he said to the driver.
Drive back as quick as you can
His countenance and his manner
were those of a man laboring under
great and sudden fear. He jumped
from the carriage before it stopped.
He rushed through the shop and up
the narrow, steep stair. Pussie was
on the landing, and he took her up
more from habit than impulse, and so en-
tered his own room. He went straight
to the rickety table. The drawer was
half open, and he began hurriedly to
pull out the old newspapers with which
it was filled. In his game with Pus
sic, he had hidden his fortune there
and Burley's entrance and the conse
quent excitement had caused him tc
forget it for a space. At last, the
drawer was empted, the papers shaken
Craig looked at the child, and his face
was deadly white.
You remember the green picturel
we were playing with, Pussie. I biz
them in here. Did you find them I?
With scared look, Pussie nodded
without speaking.
"What did you do with them ?'
Pussie vaguely conscious of havin'
committed some great wickedness
began to whimper in subdued fright
ened way.
II made a fire of them in my doll
| stove. | didn't think you'd care,
, sobbed the little one.
For one moment Craig stood rigi
and motionless. The next with lou
, cry of anguish, rage, despair and grie
he struck the child and flung her frol
him.