The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-02-11

cost OF love and fear. He was never
quite one of them, but thing apart as a
man who does not know his own sur
name must ever be.
Mrs. Trapaud was habitually careful
about money, never leaving carelessly
about any sums however small She
never distrusted any of her people, but
she knew the value of the axiom concern
ing the open door. On this particular
morning, however, she rang the bell for
breakfast to be cleared while the 100
sovereigns were still lying glistening in
the sun upon the table.
Daniel answered the summons as usual
and began to clear away. AS he did so
his eye fell on the money and he gave
little quick, sharp gasp. Mrs. Trapaud
heard it and turned to look at him. =
yes" she said, cts a lot of money,
isn't it, Oar tel? One hundred and thirty
pounds. The bay mare and her foal
fetched it,
Daniel murmured some reply, and went
on removing the breakfast things. Mrs.
Trapaud rose, folded her napkin leisure
ly, and gathering up the gold pieces,
| crossed to the fireplace and put them in a
tidy little heap on the mantelpiece Then
| she walked into the conservatory that
opened out of the room to see how her
pointsettia was coming on. Suddenly
her pulses stopped and her heart stood
still to listen. She heard voice dis
tinctly speaking in a weird, mad whis-
per from the breakfast room behind.
Make a man rich for life," it said,
and repeated the phrase like a litany.
She turned.
Daniel was standing near the mantel-
piece, his face white as death great drops
of sweat standing out upon his brow.
His fingers twitched nervously, his eye
balls were painfully distended. Covetous-
ness, avarice, greed, were writ large
upon his countenance He looked horri-
BILE. 1nstinctively Mrs Trapaud shrank
back among the greenery to watch.
Make man rich for life!" reiterated
Daniel with a curious sibilant sound.
MAKE a man rich for life-rich for lifeI"
With one swift look In the direction Of
the conservatory he put out his hand, and
with stealthy touch noiselessly took the
gold. You could have heard pin drop
Mrs. Trapaud stepped quickly forward
Daniel, what are you doing? Put that
money down"
She spoke sharply-peremptor
Daniel turned. An ugly look came over
his face; he was dangerous.
Put it down this minute" she said
Make a man rich for life," he NUT
tered, backing to the door.
Daniel. are you mad? Put it down at
once, l say"
She had reentered the room now and
her hand was on the bell. With quick
movement Daniel reached out to the
sideboard and seized knife; in his other
fist he still clutched the gold
Il see,' she said quietly. Then we
have been housing thief and murder
er for five and 20 years"
The knife dropped from his hand A
violent trembling shook him in every
limb, the wild. weird look died out of
his eyes. and he stood for moment gaz-
ing dazedly at the money in his clinched
palm.
Daniel, put 1t down."
He crossed to the mantelpiece as
though in dream and put the money
back where he had found it in the spirit
Of little child. Then he stood there
silent, his head bowed upon his breast.
ut is the first time have ever known
you drunk, Daniel" said Mrs. Trapaud,
slowly. DO rot ever let me see you
drunk again or I shall have to dismiss
you. Now you may 60"
He turned and walked slowly to the
door. He had his back to her, but she
could see his shoulders heave. Presently
he turned again, his face still bowed
upon his breast.
God bless 'ee mistress" he said brok-
emily and went out-The Tattler