Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-03-04
VOL. VI.
ut at the bare hint of probability that the bill

out at the bare hint of probability that the bill
would be dishonored; NEE. it, O no am a
married man, with family, and have nothing
but my salary 10 depend on
Then the sooner you get it taken up, and
the less you have to do with Miss Shapes bill
affairs, the botter.'
She has always been punctual hitherto
That may be- l pointed to the cross wri-
ting on the document, and said deliberately
This bill is forgery
At these words the poor man turned pale
He snatched up the document and, with many
incoherent protestations, was rushing towards
the door, when l called to him in an authorita-
tive tone, to stop. He paused. His manner
indicating not only doubt, but fear. said to
him, don't furry yourself; only want to
serve you. You tell me that YOU are married
man with children, dependent on daily labor
for daily bread; and that you have done little
discounting for Miss Shape out of your earn
ings. Now, although am bill! discounier,
don't like to see such men victimised. Look
at the body of this bill; look at the signature
of your lady customer, the drawer. Don't
you detect the same fne,' thin, sharp-pointed
hand writing in the words, Accepted, Dym-
mock Munge!'
The man, Convinced against his will, was a,
first overcome When he recovered. he raved !;
he would expose the Hon. Miss Shape, if it
cost him his bread; he would 90 at once TO the
police office.
stopped him, by saying roughly, Don't be
fool. Any such steps would seal your ruin
Take my advice; return the bill 10 the lady,
saying simply that you cannot get it discount
ed. Leave the rest 10 me, and think the bill
you have endorsed to Sparkle will be paid -
Comforted by this assurance, Administer, fear
fully changed from the nervous, but SNUG hope
ful man of the morning, departed.
1t now remained for me to exert what skill
| own, TO bring about the desired result.
lost no time in writing letter TO the Honora-
Bile Miss Shape, of which the following is a
copy: g
MADAM A bill, purporting to be drawn by
| you, has been offered 10 me for discount
There is something wrong about it; and, al
though, stranger 10 you, advise you 10
lose no time in getting i, back into your own
hands. ID. d.
/ intended to deal with the affair quietly,
and without any view to profit. The fact is,
that was sorry-you may laugh-but really
,cas sorry 10 think that young girl might
have given way TO temptation under pressure
of pecuniary difficulties. If it had been q
mans case, doubt whether l should have in
terfered.
BY the return of post, lady's maid entered
my room, profusely decorated with ringlets,
lace, and perfnmed with patchouH. She brough,
letter from her mistress. 1t ran thus
SIR Il cannot sufficiently express my thanks
for your kindness in writing 10 me on the sub
| iect of the bills; of which had also heard a
few hours previously. As perfect stranger
10 you, cannot estimate your kind consdera-
tion a, too high value. l trust the matter
will be explained but should much like 10
see you. If you would be kind enough to
write note as soon as yon receive this, | will
Square. will wait on you at any hour Friday
you may appoint. | believe that am not mis-
taken in surprising that you transact business
for my friend Sir John Markham, and you will
know the enclosed to be his hand writing
Again thanking yon most gratefully, allow me
to remain your much and deeply obliged,
JULIANA SHAPE.
This note was written upon delicate French
paper, embossed with coat of arms. 1t was
in fancy envelope; the whole richly pcrfum-
ed, aud redoent of rank and fashion. lis con-
tents were an implied confession of forgery
Silence, or three lines of indignation, would
have been the only innocent answer to my let
ter. But Miss Shape thanked me. She lei
me know, by implication, that she was on in
innate terms with name good on West-end
bill. My answer was, that should be alone
on the following afternoon at five.
At the hour fixed, punctual TO moment, {
brougham drove up at the corner of the stree
next to my chamber. The Hon. Miss Shape.
card was handed in. Presently, she entered
swimming into my room, richly, yet simply
dressed in the extreme of Partisan good taste
She was pale-or rather colorless. She hat
fair hair, fine teeth, and fashionable voice
She threw herself gracefully into the chair
handed TO her, and began by uncoiing string
of phrases to the effect that her visit was mere
ly TO consult Inc on unavoidable pecuniary
, difficulties
According 10 my mode, / allowed her tc
talk putting In only an occasional word o
question, that seemed rather a random observa
J tion than significant query. At length, afie
walking round and round the subject, like
timid horse in field, round groom with
seive of oats, she came nearer and nearer tn,
subject. When she had fairly approached III,
point, she stopped, as if courage had failed her
But she soon recovered, and observed-.I can
not think why you should take the trouble /,
write so 10 me, perfect stranger Anothe
pause-'I wonder no one ever suspected IN
} before
Here was confession and key to charac
: ter. The cold gray eye, the thin compresse
lips, which had time to observe, were tru
, indexes to the lady's' inner heart selfish
> calculating, utterly Indifferent to anything ex
cept discovery and almost Indifferent t
that, because convinced that no serious con
sequences could affect lady of her rank an
influence.
Madam replied, as long as you deal