Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-07-26
The users DAUGHTER
Rs HOMIE: DE BALzAc
CHAPTER XVIII
Ry nONRE DE BALzAc


Several months went by. The cooper
went to see his wife at various times in
the day, and never mentioned his daugh-
ter's name-never saw her, nor made
the slightest allusion to her. Nine
Grandet's health grew worse and worse;
she had not once left her room since that
terrible January morning. But nothing
shook the old eeoper's determination: he
was hard, cold and unyielding as a block
or granite. He came and went, his man
ner of life was in nowise altered. but
ne did not stammer now, and he talked
less; perhaps, too, in matters Of bust
ness. people found him harder than be-
fore, but errors crept into his bookkeep-
ing.
Something had certainly happened in
the Grandet family, both Cruchotins and
Grassinistes were agreed on that head;
and What can be the matter with the
Grandetsp became a stock question
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. it was reported,
cooked dainties for her and brought food
secretly to her room at night. 1t was
said that only when Grandet was out of
the house could the young girl nurse her
mother, or indeed see her at all.
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
1t had come to pass with him, as with all
men whose lives are ruled by one master
idea, that he chung with all the force of
his imagination to the symbol which rep
resented that idea for him. Gold-to
have gold. that he might see and touch
1t. had become with him a perfect mo-
nomania. His disposition to tyrunDize
had also grown with his love OF money,
and 1t seemed to him to be monstrous
that he should be called upon TO give up
the least portion of his property on the
death of his wife. Was he to render
an account of her fortune, and to have
an inventory drawn up of everything he
possessed-and put it all up to action?
That would be stark ruin" he said
aloud to himself, as he stood among his
vines. 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 so that
ne might die royalty, keeping the control
OF his millions in his hands until his
latest sigh. 1t happened that he let him
self in with his master key; he crept
noiselessly as wolf up the stairs to his
wife's room, which he entered Just as
Eugene was setting the dressing case,
IN all its golden glory, upon her moth
er's bed. The two women had stolen
pleasure in Grandet's absence; they were
looking at the portraits and tracing out
Charles features in his mothers like
ness
1T is 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 usp' she cried.
The vine grower seized upon the dress
Ing case as a tiger might spring upon
a sleeping child.
What may this be?' he said. carry
ing off the treasure to the window.
Cold solid goldr' he cried. "~nd plen-
ty of it, too; there is coupl - pounds
weight here. Aha! so this was what
Charles gave you in exchange for your
pretty. gold pieces! Why did you not
tell me? 1t was good stroke Of bust
ness, little girl. You are your fathers
own daughter, / see. This belongs to
Charles. doesn't it?" the good man went
on.
"Yes, father; 1t is not mine That
case is sacred trust"
tint tut frff ba hoe roma 90,
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 a
plate of the precious metal, and for the
moment had been obliged to lay the case
on chair beside him. Eugene sprang
forward TO secure her treasure; but the
cooper put out his arm to prevent this.
and thrust her back so roughly that she
fell on to the bed.
"Siri sir" cried the mother. rising and
sitting upright. Grandet had drawn out
his knife, and was about to insert the
blade beneath the plate.
Father cried Eugene. going down |
on her knees and dragging herself near
er to him. for your own souls saliva
ton. father. il you have any regard for
my life, do not touch it! The case is not
yours, and 1t is not mine. 1t belongs to
an unhappy kinsman. who gave it into
my keeping. and 1 ought TO give it back
TO him untouched. Do not pull it to
pieces. You will bring dishonor upon
me. Father, do you hear me?"
For PHYS sake, sir" entreated the
mother.
The shriil cry rang through the house
and brought the frightened Nanon up
stairs. Eugene caught up a knife that
lay within her reach.
"WellT' said Grandet, calmly. with a
cold smile on his lips.
Father, il you cut away single |
scrap OF gold. shall stab myself with |
this knife, 1t is your doing that my
mother is dying, and now my death will |
also be laid al your door. Ii shall be |
wound for wound"
Grandet held his knife suspended |
above the case, looked at his daughter |
and heSitated.
Would you really do it. Eugeuieg
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 is
dying" cried Nanon.
THERE there! child. do not let us fall |
out about n box. Just take il back" !
cried the cooper hastily throwing the |
case on to the bed. And. Nanon, so
for NJ Bergerin. Come, come! mother"
he said, and he kissed his wife's hand: |
I'VE have made it up. haven't We. little |
girl? No more dry bread; you shah eat
whatever you like. All she Is |
opening her eyes. Well. now. little moth |
er, don't take on so, Look, | am going |