The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-07-11

"And nobody knows he is dead now?
Stay, be carefulr'
She paused moment, vainly endeay--
oTing TO follow the drift of his questions.
Then, mo, not soul. | came straight
TO voi. To you, Polyte, who"
Eyes. yes; that was right. Never mind
the rest. am your friend. But. tell me,
can you follow my directions? viii you
dry your eyes, stop this weeping, and do
as | say2"
Eyes, anything
go home. Let no one know what has
will see to the rest"
Overpowered by his energy and decis'
ion, Melanie dried her tears and went
home He sat for half an hour wrapped
in thought. He then put on his hat, locked
his office, and made his way to No
Toulouse Melanie was waiting for him,
she showed him the room where Drums
mond lay. stiff, and with that peculiar
look which tells of heart disease. he
was dressed Death had evidently over
taken him with awful suddenness.
Polyte ordered Melanie out of the
room. He said he would call if he need
ed her. He seemed determined and cali
lous to the scene before him. Left alone,
he raised the corpse and carried it to one
of those vast Creole armOires and closed
the door upon it. Then he undressed him
self and got into bed. He rang the bell.
Melanie rushed in.
Darker the room"
What Are you-What have you
done with it?'
ASK no questions" said Polyte, ans
grily, If you wish me to arrange this
matter | am acting for you-not for
myself Choosew
Could Melanie refuse TO obey? She
darkened the room. At Polyte's request
she sent for old Grivot, the half deaf and
half blind notary around the corner.
When he rang the bell she retired, and
Grivot was shown into the room of the
dying man.
81 feel that am dying, 'Sienr Grivat
| wish to leave my money to the faithful
people who have been with me so long.
"Have you no heirs?"
None here. These are my children
Melanie has been loyal They are enti'
tied to my savings. Arrange it so tha
they shall inherit everything"
The notary went to work. Polyte Wa.
breathing heavily. At last: Any par
ticulmS?'
The dying man turned: Yes. | wisi
to constitute Polyte Robichaux the trus-
tee of NY heirs. Polyte-"
''Why-he is"
Never mind | know. Polyte Robi
chaux is my trustee"
Grlvot scratched his head. There wer
difficulties. He did not like so mucl
''octoro on" He was Creole. Besides
there had been unpleasant whispers ubou
| Polyte Robichaux of late. Polyte watche'
the notary with furtiye look. He wa
becoming desperate.
"Ah, we'll, - said the dying man, feeb
ly; Il have no time to consider. fee
myself growing weaker. Make Polyt
my legatee will DO what is right b
Melanie and the children. No (as Gri
vot endeavored to interpose,) This is m
business -hurry-hurry
1t was done Drummonds fortune wa
left to Polyte Robichaux with all sorts c
loving messages to Melanie and the chill
dren. Melanie and a neighbor were calle
in to witness the instrument, which WA
then placed under the pillow 'Sieu
Grivot received his $50 fee from til
trembling hands of the dying man an
went away content with himself and tn
world. As soon as the door closed on h
retreating form, Polyte called Melanic
Together they extricated the corpse froI
the hiding place, undressed it and put
to bed. Then telling her to send for hii
couple Of hours later, Polyte withdre
with the will safely slowed away in h
pocket.
The remainder of this story is soc
told Late in the afternoon the distract
ed Melanie announced by pierciu
shrek that Drummond was dead. I'll
neighbOrs rushed to her assistance. The
| was the usual wailing and lamentatiol
Then came the funeral, and finally Poly
Robichaux appeared, grave with the sen
of responsibility and armed with tn
singular will He told everyone that Il
money was intended for the children Al
went about the work of realizing the de
mans fortune with system and despatc
: 1t was all convertible. Stock. bonds al
, securities in those days were good I
: money at sight, and within week Mel
ME was in possession of some $4,000
. cash. She had thought Mr.. Drummo
much richer. but she did no know r.
never told her about his affairs. AT a.
rate $50, 900 was great deal of none
and she was grateful TO Polyte. b
. when, few weeks later, POlyte sold 0
i his own scanty possessions and sailed !
y Europe, he carried with him more tn
$500, 900