The Tomahawk., 1904-02-12

1
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
| 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 $50
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
eyes," she said, cts lot of money,
isn't it, Darrell? One hundred and thirty
pounds. The bay mare and her foal
fetched it."
|
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
tidy little heap on the mantelpiece Then
she Walksd 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 a voice dis
tinctly speaking in weird, mad whis-
per from the breakfast room behind.
"Mske man rich for life it said.
and repeated the phrase like ].tany.
She turned.
Daniel was standing near the mante1-
piece, his face white as death, great drops
of sweat standing out upon his brow.
I His fingers twitched nervously his eye
balls were painfully distended. Covetous-
ness, avarice greed, were wit large
upon his countenance. Helooked horri-
BILE. Instinctively Mrs. Trapaui shrank
back among the greenery to watch.
''Make man rich for life!" reiterated
Daniel with curious sibilant sound.
make man rich for life-rich Tor 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-peremptor
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
teDed, backing to the door.
Daniel, are you mad? Put it down al
once, I say"
She had reentered the room now and
her hand was on the bell. With quick
movement Daniel reached out to tho
sid,eboard and seized a knife; in his other
fist he still clutched the gold.
II see," she said quietly. Then we
have been housing a 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 clinche6
palm.
Daniel, put Il down."
He crossed to the mante1piece as
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.
"It is the first time I 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 go.'
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-
enly and went out-The Tattler.