Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1904-02-10

that charity had not given him. Trapaud
liked the lads face and took him into his
service. He was honest and Industrious.
he had risen by slow degrees. and now
for seven years he had been butler at the
hall. Daniel took pathetic pleasure in
hearing his own story recited, it MADE
him feel kind of hero, but there was al
ways the ever-present ache at his heart
that he bought his proud position at the
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 dtstrusted 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 1870
sovereigns were still lying glistsning in
the sun upon the table.
Daniel answered thesum:2oIs as usual
and began to clear awaS. AS he did so
his eye fell on the motley and he gave a
little quick, sharp gasp. Mrs. Trapaud
heard it and turned to look at him.
YES" she said, 'its lot Of money.
isn't it; Daniel? 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
~, 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 man rich for life," it said,
and repeated the phrase like 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 nervcusly; 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 a man rich for life!" reiterated
Daniel with a curious sibilant sound.
Make man rich for life-rich for life!"
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 peremptorily.
Daniel turned. An ugly look came over
his face; he was dangerous.
Put it down this minute she said.
Make man rich for life," he NUT
tered, backing to the door.
Daniel, are you mad? Put it down at
once, say"
She had reentered the room now and
her hand was on the bell. With quick
movement Daniel reached out to the
s1deboard 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 a M oment gaz-
ing dazedly at the money in his clinched
palm.
Daniel put it down."
He crossed to the martelpiece a.
though in dream and put the money
back where he had found it in the spirit
OF a little child. Then he stood there
silent, his head bowed upon his breast.
1T is the first time have ever known
you drunk, Daniel" said Mrs. Trapaud,
slowly. do not ever let me see Won
drunk again or I shall have to dismiss
you. Now you may co."
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 ZEE, Mistress" he said brok-
emily and went out-The Tattler.