Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1913-09-05

1NANk AN6N@hSEg AOUhEn tDA6 anu
thoroughly, running his thin hand
deep into pigeon-holes and back into
the partitions. until the sleeves of his
shabby coat were pushed far up his
lean wriEt.
Not scrap" he said.
Then, maybe" But McQuirk drew
Bretzenger away, and they went into
the darkness that lay thick as dust
in the back Of the long room. Mean
while. Father Daugherty searched the
safe through and through. He found
nothing more. The stronghold mad
had but one purpose. and 1t had served
IL well. Then slowly. painfully, with
the clumsy. unaceustomed fingers that
had had small chance to count money,
he turned the packages over, counting
them carefully, wetting his trembling
fingers now and then. The man who
had drilled the safe stood looking on,
with eyes that widened more and
more
How much is there, Father?" he
said, at length. He extended grimy
forefinger hesitatingly, as If to touch
the package the priest balanced on his
palm. But he did not touch 1t, any
more than II 1t had been something
sacred In that clean, sacerdotal hand.
Fifty thousand" the priest an
swered. His voice was trife husky.
Fifty thousand" the man en-
claimed. And then he added, in awe:
"Dollarsi Doesn't look like that much,
does it?"
NO" Father Daugherty answered.
He had been a little surprised him
self. There was something disappoint.
ing in the size Of the package. He
had never seen so much money be-
fore, and its tremendous power, its
tremendous power for evil. as he sud
denly thought, was concentrated in a
compass so small that the mind could
but slowly wheel about to the new con-
ception. The locksmith spoke
might Knight I--hold it a second
lin my own hand?" he said.
The priest gave the bundle into the
hand hardened by so much honest toll.
The man held 1t. heaving 1t up and
down incredulously, testing its weight.
Then he gave 1t back.
Thanks" he said, and sighed.
The two aldermen had returned
from their little conference.
Your reverence" began McQuirk
hesitatingly, might we have a word
with you-in private?" He looked sus-
piciously at the workman. The priest
went with them a little way apart.
I'VE know about that" McQuirk
pointed to the bundle.
You do, do your" said the priest
sharply.
Yes, father" Bretzenger said.
'It's-it's-well. 1t belongs to the
company, sir"
What company"
well, you know, the new ga-ah
that Is. Mr.. Baldwin, the lawyer. You
know him?"
George RI" asked, Father Daugh,
erty.
Yes. your reverence" said both
men hopefully. 1T should go back to
him"
The priest looked at them, and they
caught again that amused expression
In his face. It put them III at ease
and 1t reused resentment in Bretzen
ger, who felt that this calm priest
could read him too we'll
None Of 1t belongs to you, then.
supposeT observed Father Daugh
erty.
'Ah. well--of course" McQuirH
urged, and his tone showed that he
was trying, in his crude way. to i'm
press the priest with an honest dis
interestedness. "Of course, Jimmy
was entitled to his piece"
"sure!" Bretzenger said. swelling
with the little virtue he had found tc
help him.
But you say 1t ought to go bach
to Baldwin, chr
That's what we think. sir" thes
chimed.
Well, he can come and identify It.
said Father Daugherty. He slowly
wrapped the package up, and, unbut
toning his long, rusty coat little way
down from the throat, stuffed tht
money into an inner pocket. The
deed seemed to madden Bretzenger
and he moved a step forward. The
two others saw his motion. The
priest did not move, but he turned /
look on them. and raised his hand, and
McQuirk quailed, o superstitious feai
in his eyes. He stifsened his arm be
fore Bretzenger, and stayed him. And
then the priest stepped quietly to the
safe. and pushed its door, to with al
arm that seemea too weak and Trai
to stir the heavy steel.
1T looks to me, Michael" he wal
saying gently. as II addressing Nc
Quirk alone. like personal property
and, as I'm the administrator. sup
pose I'll hsve to take charge OF 1t. I
any beside our dead friend own It, lie
them come forward and prove thei
claim, and identify their property il
open court"
Father Daugherty reported tn,
whole AFFAIR to the probate court. an,
| the Judge when the time for filini
claims had elapsed. and he had waited
for the particular claim ne knew
would not be presented, ordered a dis
tribution of the property. Then Fa
Their Daugherty went to the fat to SCI
| Annie, bearing the bundle, the origina
bundle the bundle that had bough
the new gas franchise. Something 0
the dramatic quality in the situation
had got into the old priests heart
He knew that Annie would appreciate