St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-20
A DARING GAME.

in his student days. She had el0ped,
however, with rich Englishman. and
for years ne had not seen her face. She
was fat and homely now, and he felt
rather glad she had thrown him over.
"Drummond is dead" she gasped
tearfulIy.
WHAT is that to me?'' sneeringly.
"Drummond was rich and he left no
will. have been loyal wife, and he
always Intended to leave me his
money"
P0lyte became Interested.
GLOW did he die?''
"SuddenIy. How do knnw?''
clad he been ill?''
"No: perfectly well and strong when
took the coffee to his room at 8
o'clock"
mo one knew that anything allied
him?'
No one dreamed of it.''
land NOBODY knows that he is dead
now? Stay; be carefulH'
She paused a moment. vainly endeav-
oring to follow the drift OF his questions.
Then, mo. not soAl. l cane straight
to you. To you, Polyte, wh"---'
Yes, es: that was right. Never
mind the rest. am your friend. But,
tell me. can YOU follow my directions?
Will you dry your eyes. stop this weep
ing. and do ASH say2''
Eyes. anything
"Go hulNa. Let no one know what
has happened. VIII see to the rest"
Overp0wered by his energy ami de-
ciSiOn, Melanie driet her tears and went
home. lie sat f0l half an nour wrapped
in thought. He then put on his nat,
locked his office. and made his way to
No. - Toulouse. Meianie WAS waiting
tor him. She showed him the room
where Drummond lay, stiff and with
that look which tells of heart disease.
He was dressed. death had evidently
overtaken him with awful suddenntss.
Poly.e ordered Meianie out of the
room. lie said he would call if he need
ed her. He seemed determined and cal
louS to the scene before him. Left alone,
be raised the corpse and Carried il 10 one
of those vast Creole armOirtS and closed
the door upon it. Then he addressed
himself and got into bed. He rang the
bell. Melanie ruSned in.
"Darktn the rOOn."
"WIat! Are you-What have you
done with it?''
Ask no questions" said Polyte, an
grily. 'lf you WISH me to arrange this
Halter. am acting tor you hot MY
self. Cho0Se!''
Could Melanie refuse to obey? She
darkened the room. At PolYte's re-
quest she sent for old Grivnt. the half
deaf. half-blind notary around the cor
ner. When he rang the bell, she re-
tired, amt Grivot was shown iuto the
room of the dying man.
Il feel that am dying, 'Sieur Grivot.
l wish to leave my money to the faith
fuI people who have been with NE SO
long"
"lIave you no heirsP"
None here. These are my children.
MeIanie has been loyal. They are ell
titled to my savings. Arrange it So that
they shall inherit everything"
The notary went To work. Polyte was
breathing heavily. At last: ANY par
ticulars?"
the dying man turned: Yes. wish
to constitute Polyte Robichaux the
trustee of my heirs. Polyte-"
''Why-he is
Never mind. know. Polyte Kohi-
chauX Is my trustee"
Griv0t scratched his head. There
were difficulties. He did not like so
much '.oct0ruon." lie was Creole.
Besides. there had been unpleasant
whispers about Phyte Robichaux of
late. Polyte watched the notary with
furrive lCok. lie WAS becoming des-
perate.
AN, WE'LL" said the dying ma n
feebly; Il have no time to consider. L
feel my self growing weaker. Make
POIyte my legatee-he will do what is
nj, Nv i1il hn nio ll r..
Mo- (as GrivOt endeavered to interpose),
this is my businesS-hurry-h
1t was done. Drummund's fortune
Was left to Polyte RObichauX, with all
sorts of loving messages 10 Melania and
the children. Melanie and neighboT
were called in to witness the inStru-
mtnt, which was then placed under the
pillow. 'Sieur Grivot received his so
fee from the trembling hands of the
dying man, and went away cOntented
with himself and the world. As SION
as the door closed on his retreating
form. Polyte called Mtlanie. Together
they eXtricated the corpse from the
hiding place. undressed it and put it to
bed. Then, telling her to send for him
a couple of hours later, Polyte with
drew with the will safely slowed away
in his pocket.
The remainder of this story is soon
told. Late IN the afternoon the dis
ractrd Melanie announced by pierre
ing shrek that Drummond was dead.
The he ghbOrs rushed TO her assistance.
There was the usual waiing and lamen-
tation. Then came the funeral, and
finally POlvte RubichauX appeared
grave with the sense of responsibility
and armed with that singular will. He
told every one that the money was IN
tended for the children, and went about
the work OF realizing the dead mans
fortune with system and dispatch.
1t was ali convertible. Stock, bonds
and securities iii those days were good
for money at sight. and within week
Melanie was in possession of some 500
600 in cash. She had thought Mr.
Drummond much richer, but she did not
know-he never told her about his aft
fairs. at any rate, $4,000 Was a great
deal of money. and she was grateful to
Polyte. But when, few weeks later.
Polyte sold out his own scanty posses
siOns and sailed for Europe, he carried
with him more than 100000.