The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1862-09-12

band. Ah there was no loving eye to
watch for Frazer Martin erring footsteps
At length be came, welcomed home by
the GLOW of freight, and the merry
voices of little children, and the Peaceful
calm of Ellice's sihila.. The world called
Hugh Irving fortunate man, because he
had prospered exceedingly in its paths pff
commerce but what would the world
have said could 1t have peeped Into his
bright hone circle There must yet be
an undiscovered word to express such
bliss.
"But, Hugh, something has annoyed
you you look grave and thoughtful"
said Mrs: Irving, when at length the noisy
crew of little ones had been safely piloted
to bed, and husband and wife were sit
ting together-Hugh In velvet easy
chair, and Ellice on low ottoman, be-
side him. her cheek resting on his knee.
as she had been used to sit in the days of
bride hood;
" "Yoti are veritable witch, Ellice,"
said Hugh, laughing. 81 believe you
know every thought that crosses my mind.
Yes, dearest, 1 have been excessively an
noyed."
"Tell me about it, Hugh; you know
you never have secrets from me-"
She put her little hand caressingly into
his; he stopped and kissed the diamond
sparkling fingers:
81 have an opportunity to-day, Ellice,
to pay offa very old debt--to pay it with
Interest, What do you advise ?''
Don't talk III riddles, YOU provoking
fellow. Speak out plainly. or I never
shall be able to conprehend you,," said
Mrs. Irving. T.,
s'Listen, then, my dear wife," said
Hugh, suddenly growing grave, almost
stern III his manner. "You know that
I have been in the habit of depositing,
from time to time, any unappropriated
sums of money in Bank, al
New York. Well, I had occasion, not
long since, to send for a supply. It was
duly forwarded to-day, with a notice that
| had slightly oyerdrawn my account.
| knew this to be impossible, as the bal
ance lying there was nearly ten thousand
dollars, and my order was but for I've.
On examining the statement of accounts
sent on with the funds; t discoasfed tha,
a check for Eve thousand dollars; bearing
my signature, had been presented and
cashed some six months previously. Now
l had never heard of the thing. nor sign
ed any such check
"Well ?" said Ellice, her lips apart, and
her eyes ixed earnestly on her husbands
grave face:
"And the name of the man who pre-.
sented this check-this forged check, re:
member-was Frazer Martini
Ellice grew pale, and clasped her hands
tightly together. "Good heaven, Hugh!-
can this thing be possi5le?"
! ''Not merely possible, love but certain
A fit winding up of his career Of reckless
ness and dissipation" said Irving, bitter.
lily.
''But, Hugh, what measures have 20,
taken?" asked Ellice, who seemed scarce
Ely able to realize the stuprendous fraud.
"None, as yet; but at the earliest. prac
ticable hour tomorrow morning 1 shal
set the officers Of law upon the track o
this undetected felon.''
''What is the consequence, Hugh?"
/ imprisonment for Iifep' was the sterr
answer.
Ellice trembled, and half opened he
Hips, but there was no gleam of encour
agement in the dark brow of her hits
band,
"Oh, Hugh, dear Hugh, to think tha
1 might have been the wife Of this wretch
ed manp'
/ Mr. Irving passed his hand fondly ove1
his wife's hair, and drew her closer to
ward him, as if he would avert the .metss
thought Of danger from her. -,
'tIf you please, rna'am,' said servant
putting his head, in at the door, ""woult
} you step into the hall a minute? Th
housekeeper wants to speak with you ?"
Mrs. Irving rose and passed quietly ou
Iof the room. Hugh remained in his ol'
) position, gazing into the fire with Sc
teeth and corrugated brow. In d mo
! nent his wife returned, WITH a white
5 shocked face.
!: "Hagh-htispanrid-i have a sad ste
~ to tell you. The servants have brougl
In d poor, foot-sore creature, wearied wit
travel, and, I fear, on the verge of .feRs
He fell on the wayside, little way below
and Bruce found him as he came bac
from stabling your horses. He is wor
:: to a skeleton with fatigue and privatio
-shall we take him in?'
e Certainly" said Mr.. Irving. rousin
q himself With an effort from the ttsin {
!, tbouoht in which he had been well MIC