The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-07-19


his weary yisage was relaxed in pa,
:tient waiting. At last the Iocksmith
dropped his tools, and said: stF
"Therei" "a.
The thick steel doors swung out on
their noiseless hinges. The two alder
men sprang to the side Of the safe.
The priest drew near slowly, but his
little eyes were turned on the alder.
men, and they fell back pace. Then
the priests long figure sank to a
kneellng posture. and he peered into
the safe. There was nothing in view.
It was strangely empty. for safe Of
It's monstrous size and mystery, and
the tenacity Of its combination. He
thrust In his hand and fumbled
through all its hollow interior, and
then he drew forth-a soiled linen col.
lar! It was ludicrous, and for once
he laughed, a little laugh. There
was not ledger, not book.
He kept no accounts, your river.
ence." said McQuirk.
at was Just like him." said Father
Daughery. But he kept on with his
search. And. when he opened the lit.
tie drawer Of maplewood. he found a
parcel, done snugly up In thick brown
paper. He tore 1t open. and there
sweiled into his sight packages Of
bank notes almost bursting in their
yellow paper straps. The bills were
new, and as freshly green as the
spring itself; more tempting thus,
, some way. to the reluctant con.
| science. The two aldermen bent over
the black. STOPPING figure Of the
.,priest. their eyes fixed on the money.
; There It was at last, the bundle itself,
the price Of. or part of the price Of
the new gas franchise. The priest
Strengthened painfully, and got to hia
feet. He held the bundle In his thin
fingers, and glanced at his witnesses,
with a keen and curious eye. They
met his. gaze, expectant. eager, draw!
ing dry, hot breaths. Involuntarily,
they extended their hands. Father
paugherty looked at them, and lit.
tie twinkle of amusement showed In
the eyes that were wontediy so mild
and sad.
Would your he said.
The two aldermen hastily raised
their hands. and together, In strange
unison. wiped their brows. The room
had suddenly grown hot for them. and
their brows were. wet, though Father
Daugherty was cool and composed, as
ne ever was. Yet they remembered;
they could not so easily give up; II
was theirs by every right. They could
have cursed Jimmy just then for HE
excessive caution. 1t was McQuirk'e
quick mind that thought first.
Maybe there's writing" be said.
Father Daugherty looked long and
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 wrist.
mot scrap" he said.
Then, maybe" But McQuirk drew
,Bretzenger away. and they went into
the darkness that lay thick as dust
I'm the back Of the long room. Mean.
while. Father Daugherty searched the
safe through and through. He found
nothing more. The stronghold had
had but one purpose. and 1t had served
1T we'll. Then slowly. painfully, with
the clumsy. unaccustomed 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
fsaid, at length. He extended grimy
forefinger 'hesitatingly, as II to touch
the package the priest balanced on his
palm. But he did not touch it, any
more than II It had been something
sacred in that clean, sacerdotal hand.
Fifty thousand" the priest an.
,swered. His voice was a trifie husky,
Fifty thousand" the man fex.
claimed: And then he added, in awe:
Dollars! Doesn't look like that much,
does it?"
NO" Father Daugherty answered.
He had been 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 q
compass so small that the mind could
but slowly wheel about to the new con.
feption. The locksmith spoke.
Might Knight I-hold It q second
in my own hand" he said.
The priest gave the bundle into the
hand hardened by so much honest toll.
The man held It. heaving It 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