Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-07-16
The NIsER's DAUGHTER
CHAPTER XVIII.
By ifONRH DE BALzAc

went 10 see HIS WIG Ut NuTlOuS tlmeS Ill
the day, and never mentioned his daugli-
tsr's name-never saw her. nor made
the slightest allusion TO her. Nine.
0randet's health grew worse and worse
she had not once left her room since that
terrible January morning. But nothing
shook the old cooper's determination. he
was hard, cold and unyielding rs block
Of granite. He came and went, his man.
ner Of life was in nowise altered: but
no did not stammer now, and he talked
less; perhaps, too. In matters Of busi-
ness, people found him harder than he
fore, but errors crept into his bookkeep-
ing.
Something had certainly happened In
the Gran1et family. both Cruchotins and
Grassinistes were agreed on that head;
and "What can be the matter with the
0rnndets /" became stock ques ton
which people asked each other at every
social gathering In Saumur.
A little later the secret leaked out. and
the whole town knew that ever since
New Years Day Mile. Grandet had been
locked up In her room by her fathers
orders, and that there she lived on bread
and water In solitary confinement and
without a fire. Nanon. II was reported
cooked dainties for her and brought food
secretly TO her room Mt night. 1t was
said that only when Grandet was out OF
the house could the young girl nurse hei
mother, or indeed see her ut air.
Grandet had just entered upon his six.
ty.seventh year. Avarice had gained a
stronger hold upon him during the past
two years Of his life: indeed, all lasting
passions grow with mans growth: and
Il had come TO pass with him. ds with all
men whose lives are ruled by one master
Idea, that he chung with all the force OF
his Imagination 70 the symbol which rep.
resented that idea for him. Goll--to
have gold. that he might see and touch
Il. had become with him a perfect mo.
nomanin. His disposition to tyra nnixe
had also grown with his love of money,
and II seemed to him to he mons,rous
that he should he called upon to give IN
the least portion Of his property OH the
dctth Of hj wife. Was he 10 render
an account of her fortune. and to have
On inventory drawn up Of everything he
possessed--and put It all up to action?
That would be stark ruin" he said
cloud to himself, as he stood among hi,
' 7es. He made up his mind and came
back at dinner time fully determined
on his course. He would humor Eu
genie. and coax and cajole her 40 ,ha,
he might die royalty, keeping the cont ro
OF his millions In his han,ls until hi,
latest sigh. 1t happened that he let him
self In with his master key: he crep,
noiselessly rs a wolf up the stairs to hi.
wife's room. which he entered just o,
Eugene was setting the dressing case
In all Its golden glory. upon her moth
ers bed. The two women had stolen q
pleasure In Grandet's absence: they were
looking ut the portraits and tracing out
Charles features In his mothers like.
ness.
ut IL just his forehead and his
MOUTH! Eugene was saying, as the vine
grower opened the door.
Nine. Grandet saw how her husbands
eyes darted upon the gold. "Oh! heaven
have pity upon u.s." abe cried.
The vine grower seized upon the dress.
@s case as a tiger might spring upon
o sleeping child.
"What may this be?" he said. carry.
ing of the treasure 70 the window
"Gold! solid gold" be cried, "and plen
y Of II, too; there II a couple Of pounds
weight here. Aha! so this was what
Charles gave you In exchange for your
pretty gold pieces! Why did YOU moi
tell me? II was a good stroke OF bust.
ness. little girl. You are your fathers
own daughter. I see. This belongs e
Charles. doesn't III" the good man went
on.
eyes. father; It Is not mine. Tha,
case In a sacred trust"
"Tut. tut. tut! he has gone of with
your money; You ought to make good the
loss Of your little treasure"
"Oh. father!"
The old man had taken out his pocket
knife with view to wrenching away q
plate Of the precious metal. and for the
moment had been obliged to lay the case
on chair beside him. Eugene spranp
forward to secure her treasure; but the
cooper put out his arm TO prevent this
and thrust her back 20 roughly that she
fell on 10 the bed.
Sir! sir" cried the mother. rising and
sitting upright. Grandet had drawn GU,
his knife, and was about to insert the
blade beneath the plate.
"Father" cried Eugene, going down
on her knees aud dragging herself near.
Or to him. "for your own souls saliva.
ton, father, II you have any regard TO,
my life, do not touch It! The case IL no,
yours, and II IL not mine. II belongs tO
an unhappy kinsman. who gave 1t into
my keeping. and ought to give 1t back
to him untouched. do not pull 1t ia
pieces. You will bring dishonor upon
me. Father! do you hear me?"
: For PHYS sake. sir" entreated the
mother.
The shrill cry rang through the house
and brought the frightened Nanon up.
stairs. Eugene caught up a knife tina,
lay within her reach.
"Well!" said Grandet, calmly, with n
cold smile on his lips.
"Father. II you cut away single
scrap Of gold, l shall stab myself with
this knife. II Is your doing that my
mother Is dying. and now my death will
Also be laid at yOnr door. 1t shall be
wound for wound"
Grandet held his knife suspended
above the case, looked at his daughter,
and hesituted.
would you really do II, Eugene p
he asked.
"She would do as she says" cried
Nanon. 'Do be sensible, sir. for once
In your life"
The cooper wavered for a moment,
looking first at the gold and then at his
daughter. Mime. Grandet tainted.
"There, sir, you see the mistress Il
dying" cried Nanon.
"There! there! child. do not let us fall
ont about box. Just take II back! ~
cried the cooper hastily throwing the
case on to the bed. And, Nanon, Ga
for NJ. Bergerin. Come! come! mother, y
he said. and he kissed his wife's hand