Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-05-26
CHAPTER ".
THE FORGED CHECK,

Mr.. Morton returned to bis private of
6ce about half an hour after the depart.
uresof Giles. Though still in an agta-
ted frame of mind. he had nerved him
self to meet the unpleasant. interview
with his son.
} But Giles had'gone. Mr.. Morton Wa,
no. q little Surprised at this fact. The
impetaousi,y of his son would promp
him to seek the interview, if innocent
and his departure auguredill. A.
Touching the little spring bell on his
desk, he waited The approach of Charles
Rayuer, who generally answered .ahis
summons.
Have you seen Giles!'sa Mr.. Mon.
ION, endeavoring TO appear Indifferent, as
the clerk presented himself.
Yes sir; he went sou, about half an
hour ago. ~
Did he leave any message!,
mo, sir .z.r go
Or say where he was going' ...
> NO, SIR -
'Did .he-was he--'and Mr. Morton,
unable to control his emotions, abruptly
paused. i -
' lie had given him the anony nous no,e,
aud he extremely anxious to know
what effect it had produced; butshe did
not like to ask direct question of his
clerk. fs
..Was he welllsdid he appear as usual!'
said he, at last. as.. a
lie appeared very seriousafor him.
Did he appedt'-angry. he was about
io~say bu, he checked HIMSELF -
Il remarked tha, he was not in his usu-
al spirits, and rallied him upon il. r.
And he said nothingl . =
sNo,hing, SIR
Charles departed alta nod from Mr..
Morlen, wondering what could have hap
,pened. =
The merchant relapsed into a revery.
his agitation visibly increased, and the
struggles with the emotions of his pa,er-
nal heart. Was Giles q proAigase?-
We're all his fond hopes blasted! a..
Those only who have mourned over
the. sins and pro1iga6y of an only son,
can imaginethe painful feelings of Mr..
Morton. as he reflected upon the suppos-
ed errorsof Giles. > !.
Ii his indulgence. had occasioned this
dep arturo from the peth Of recii.ude,
Pa haps there. was yet ,imesto retrieve
Tie error, sand be resolved to see him at
0nce.
thinking he might have gone home,
he rose 10 leave the Office, when the cash
Ter of the bank. at which he did his bus
mess, entered the office.
MIR. Morton, the teller of our bank
paid check jus.now. which looks lit
tie suspicious, saidtheyisi,or. ....
sAh! answered the merchant, looking
upin surprise.
Yes sir; the signature looks bad-not
In your usual steady hand. Iwonder
that the teller paid il, 'continued The CASH
ier, as he scrusinized the cheek.
'Who presen.ed III!
Y our clerk
Ray yner!'
Yes Ia
let me see it, I'D s.....v
1T is only hundred dollars replied
the bank officer, handing the merchant
the check.
.lshRye drawn no such check
looks suspicious
But Rayner is honest
We'll. you Gon't always knew
Mr.. Morton examined the check with
great deal Of attention. He had drawn
no check for that amount. except the one
he had thrown in the fire.
.lt is forgery, said he.
so supposed
And Rayner presented i,!'
He did,
MIR. Morton touched the spring bell,
and Charles lsavner presented himselE
You drew this checkP
Il did, replied Charles.
1T is a fcrgery' said Mr.. Morton.
sternly.
Charles was ,hunderssrpck. His cheek
olanched, and his whole fame .rembled
with agitation.
"A plain case, said the cashier, as he
surveyed the pale cheek and euivering
lip Of Charles Rayner.
Charles, continued MIR. Morton, more
in grief than in anger, i thought you an
homes. person.
) And SO am. sir, replied the young
man. stung by the accusation.
And forged this checkP said Mr..
Morton.
! Il am entirely innocent, SIR
You presented it!'
Il did,
'Then if you did no. forge it. who did!
where did you get i,!'
Charles shuddered as he thought of
fastening she crime upon Giles--upoa
the son Of his employer-his own friend
--the lover OF his sister!
The strange appearance Of Giles when
he had given him the check. was now
accounted for. and rs this terrible confir-
nation of the young mans guilt recurred
to him, heSwas overwhelmed with an
guish.
Giles had forged his fathers name!
II was terrible, and he asked himself
what his duty was in this emergency
Giles was his friend, and he ought not 10
be exposed--at least not in the presence
Il -