Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-06-07
20 @
TIE HIsER's DAUGHTER
- By HoNRE DE BALZAc
CHAPTER v.-fContinnsd ,
By HoNRE DE BALZAc

CHAPTER V.-(Continned)
Come along, Cruchot," said Grandet,
addressing the notary, You are one of
my friends; am going to show you what
piece of folly it is to plant poplars in
good sail"
Then the sixty Thousand francs that
you fingered for those poplars of yours
In the meadows by the Loire are a mere
trifie to your" said Cruchot. opening his
eyes wide in his bewilderment And
such luck as you had. tool Fell
ing your timber just when there was no
white wood to be had in Nantes, so that
every trunk fetched thirty francs.
Eugene heard and did not hear, Mt
terly unconscious that the most critical
moment of her life was rapidly approach
ing, that paternal and sovereign decree
was about to be pronounced, and that the
old notary was to bring all this about
Grandet bad reached the magnificent
meadow land by the Loire. Some thirty
lahorers were busy digging out the roots
of the poplars that once stood there, fill
ing up the holes that were left and level
ing the ground.
jean" he called to one of the labor
ers, I'LL up all the holes except those
along the riverside, where you can plant
those poplar saplings that ] bought. If
you set them along by the Loire they
will grow there finely at he expense of
the government" he added, and as he
looked round at Cruchet the wen on his
nose twitched slightly, the most sardonic
smile could not have said more
Yes, 1t is clear enough, poplars should
only be planted in poor SOIL" said Cru
chot, quite overcome with amazement at
Grandet's astuteness.
Yes, SIR" said the cooper iron
ically.
Eugene was looking out over the
glorious landscape and along the Loire,
without needing her fathers words; but
Cruchot's talk with his client took an
other turn, and her attention was sudden
ly aroused.
SO you have a son-in-law come from
Paris; they are talking about nothing
but your nephew in all Saumur l shall
soon have settlements to draw IN; eh
pere Grandet?'
Did you come out early to-t-t-tell
me thatY' inquired Grandet, and again
the wen twitched. VERY well. you are
an old crony of mine; / will be plain
with, and t-t-tell you what you W
want to know. / would rather fling my
d-d-daughter into the Loire. look
you, than give her to her cousin. You
can give that out But, no; l-i-let
people gossip"
Everything swan before Engenie's
eyes. Her vague hopes of distant hap
piness had suddenly taken definite shape.
had sprung up and blossomed, and then
her harvest of flowers had been as sud
denly cut down and lay on the earth.
Since yesterday she had woven the bands
of happiness that unite two souls, and
henceforward sorrow. it seemed. was to
strengthen them. Is it not written in
the noble destiny Of woman that the
grandeur of sorrow should touch her
more closely than all the pomp and splen-
dor of fortune?
How came 1t that a fathers feelings
had been extinguished? What crime
could be laid at Charles door? Mystic
rious questions! Mysterious and sad fore
bodiDgs already surrounded her growing
love, that mystery within her soul. When
they turned to go home again she trem-
bed in every limb; and as they went up
the shady street, along which she had
lately gone so joyously, the shadows look
ed gloomy, the air she breathed seemed
full of the melancholy of autumn, every
thing about her was sad. Love, that had
brought these keener perceptions, was
quick to interpret every boding sign. AS
they neared home, she walked on ahead
of her father, knocked at the house door,
and stood waiting beside it. But Gran
det, seeing that the notary carried a
newspaper still in its wrapper, asked,
How are consolsY'
Il know you will not take my advice,
Grandet," Cruchot replied. You should
buy at once; the chance of making TWEEN
ty per cent on them in two years is still
open to you. You can buy now at eighty
francs fifty confines"
I'VE shall see," remarked Grandet pen
sively, rubbing his chin.
Great heavensy exclaimed the no
tary, who by this time had unfolded his
newspaper.
''Well, what is itT' cried Grandet as
Cruchot put the paper in his hands and
said: Read that paragraph"
IN. Grandet, one of the most highly
respected merchants in Paris, shot him
self through the head yesterday after
noon, after putting in an appearance on
Change as usual. He had previously
sent in his resignation to the President,
resigning his position as Judge of the
Tribunal of Commerce. His affairs had
become involved through the failures of
his stock broker and notary. NJ. Gran
Diet, whose character was very greatly
esteemed, and whose credit stood high,
would no doubt have found temporary
assistance on the market which would
have enabled him to tide over his diff
culties. 1t is to be regretted that a man
of such high character should have given
way to the first impulse of despair"
and so forth, and so forth.