Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-18
gave me dollar to carry it, and that's
how I come to recollect IT :"

directed his steps to his ancient boarding
house, and began to question the Irish SER
want girl who usually answered the BELL
He produced the counterfeited envelope
(Which had been returned to him) and in
quired ifshe remembered anything aboutit.
Sure, Sir said she, " amostall Q your
letters came with that writin' on 'em, and
how can | remember any special one 2"
" Could you be certain asked Cecil,
!" that this writing is the same that they
usually had upon them ?"
"No, that | couldn't" answered the
girl, "for know somebody who can write
as much like it as two peas"
"An& WHO'S that 2" asked Cecil eagerly.
"Sure, it's Mister Gerald as roomed with
you all last winter"
Cecil reeled and almost fell into chair
as these words met his ear g How do you
know that? p asked he.
The girls face flushed and she hesita-
tingly muttered something unintelligible
to Cecil. He startedup exclaiming, "prove
what you say and you may name your own
reward -
Maybe I'd get into trouble, Sir" re-
piled the girl -" and the blessed Virgin
knows | never meant any harm J"
Cecil treasured her by every means in
his power, for he was now convinced that
she knew something really important At
length after many promises from him, she
made the following statement: One day [
went up stairs to call Mr.. Gerald to dinner,
and found him busy writin' somethin' he
didn't want me to see, for he looked skeered
and jumped up and hustled the papers into
his machine he kept letters in. After he
was gone down stairs l slipped back and
carried two Of the scraps to my room to
read, but | never got no chance to carry
them back, for he went up and put his little
letter case in his trunk and locked it up
The scraps was written on just like that on
the back of the development you show'd
me and | have got them yet hid in my
clothes box.
She produced little piece ofpaper with
, Mr.. Arington's name written on it in va
rious places, and also a bank draught for
twenty one hundred dollars in favor of &C.
Gil Arlington, and signed in what seemed
TO be his fathers hand.
Curiosity had induced the girl to alb
stract these papers, and though she had no
idea of their value, she had concealed them
for fear of discovery.
/ a'Cecilsdeposited thcscyreciors documents
in his pocket book, and at once returned
home. He had never for a moment sus-
pected Gerald Of any participation in his
ruin, but now he remembered that Gerald
had first urged him upon every missteE
that he had made. Arrived at home, he
{ directed his stepsat once to Mr.. Hamilton's
, and hearing the sound Of music walked al
once ard unannounced into the parlor.-
, Eva sat at the piano, singing in her clear
fute-like voice, favorite melody-whilC
Gerald stood near, joining his rich, musi
: cal tenor in the chorus.
= Cecil stood a moment, unseen, unheart
upon the Threshold, then walked acros
the room and leaning his elbow upon th
: marble mantle, fxedly regarded them both
r Evelyn rose from the music stool and wa
{ about to retire from the room, when Ce
. ellis words arrested her: "Stay and hea
5 me Eva, I have with me full proof that
t am innocent of the crime of which yo
: unjustly suspected me-"
r Then turning short upon Gerald an
S pointing his finger towards him, he exclain
: ed, {" in him behold tie villain who has lie
me step by step in the way of destruction
G He first pressed the wine cup to my lips
d he first overcame my scruples to the use {
V cards and led me to the gaming saloon, an
:. he, and he alone forged the draught upo
il my fathers banking house, and wove th
{. subtle web of circumstantial evidence
is round me-"
n Gerald for moment lost his self posse
ii sion but quickly recovering it he sneere
er out, "and how do you intend to proUe a
v these marvellous disclosures 2" Cecil SLOW
OF ly drew from his pocket-book the spuriou
or draught and the paper upon which his fat
ift er's signature was initiated and replied
oi- "by one who saw you in the mauufactu
it of these"
Gerald's face grew pale and his lips col
ell pressed as he recognised his work, al
bic drawing from his bosom long, slend
vas dagger, he sprang towards Cecil and stru
zen at his breast with all the vigor of his MI
gay cular arm. With the quckness of thoug
the his intended victim leaped aside and {
,py fragile, glittering blade was broken to p
the ces upon the marble mantle against viii
one he had leaned. Eva screamed and f
me fainting upon the floor, but Cecil drey
his pistol from his pocket and presenting it
ost Gerald's breast stood coolly awaiting a f
cht ther attack The servants and memb
rote of the family now came pouring into
eth. room, and Gerald with blazing eyes ru
day ed out, while all began to take measures
- Eya's restoration. As Cecil stood n
re- anxiously awaitipg some sign of return
on animation, Gerald again entered the re
pom and leyeling pistol at his head pulled
,un- trigger. Fortunately a servant stand
,r of near struck his arm, and the ball cutt
had off little curl by the side of Cecirs t
the pie, struck and shattered large mi
t he upon the wall
ton Furious with this second disappo
but ment Gerald turned and dealing tren
apy dous blow with the butt of his pistol u
cave the poor servants head, again rushed +
nber the room. As the man was being car
r for away second report was heard above,
lted upon fastening to Geralds apartment
!, II was found dead upon the floor, VIII
once small stream of blood flowed from the
ne a. let-wound upon his blackened forehead
and The circumstance of the forged dra