, 1862-10-25
The Forged Check.


red brick house were motionless in the balmy air;
the sunshine lay in atticed CLEANS athwart the
piazza foor and far off, on upland meadows, the
voice of the distant reapers foated down, like
sounds in dream, to the ear of Ellice May, as
she sat in the doorway, her work lying idly in her
lap, and her eyes fixed on the hazy August hills.
Beautiful eyes they were-soft large, and intense
ly black fringed with dark lashes that almost
shadowed her cheek. There was something East
ern in the style of Ellice Mays beauty-the olive
cheek stained with rose; the small, scarlet mouth;
and the serene straight features As for the little
taper-fngered and pink -tipped-they GER
tainly seemed made expressly to beckon dark
skinned slaves and WELD jeweled scepter. Ma
ture owns no law of climate and sometimes you
are startled by finding this Arabian Nights type
of face among dove-eyed New England damsels,
just as fiery pomegranate blooms amidst meek
blue-bells and mountain daisies on farmhouse
window-ledge.
snow, don't look off into vacancy so proyok-
ingly, Ellice" said tall, handsome man who
was leaning against one of the columns of the
/ P'''-N"-
driven all the way from town this broiling day
just to catch glimpse of your bright eyes !"
Ellice turned her head and smiled but thought
fully still it was plain she was thinking of some
thing else.
"How do you like my new pair of grays, Ell
lice P' pursued her companion. Il bought them
with special eye to your preferences. See them
toss their heads under the pine brances. can
tell you there blood there |"
"They are very pretty said Ellice, quietly.
"Very pretty and is that all you have to say P
Ellice, what ails you to-day? l don believe you
care half SO much for me as you used. Give me
one of your old smiles, now-do-or shall fancy
that you haven't entirely forgotten your old pen
chant for Hugh Irving. Imet him just below the
the turn of the road as 1 drove over-didn't stop
to speak, however. By-the-way Elice, I've done
pretty smart stroke of business to-day that
imagine, will put Hugh Irving efectually down
for the present"
"What do you mean, Frazer ?" said Ellice, sud-
denly rousing herself from her temporary abstrac-
ton
81 mean that we maneuvered the mortgage on
the old Irving Place into our hands week ortwo
ago, and l foreclosed to-day at one o'clock, Just
half an hour after it became due"
"Foreclosed it ?''
"Yes, and defy Mr.. Hugh to help himself
OF course they had no idea of the thing kept
it prodigioasly close, for have always wanted a
chance to break Hugh Irving's pride, and fortune
has favored me! l should not wonder if he were
en- route this moment to give directions to that
old-times lawyer of his, blessedly unconscious
The Irving Place must go for it will be next TO
impossibility for them to raise the money at so
short a notice; and with all the rest, it won't be
bad arrangement for me, pecuniary speaking"
But Ellce had risen from her seat with red
dened cheeks, and eyes that were literally wells
of angry sparkle.
"Frazer Martin, you are not in earnest P"
"Never more so in my life,my love!7
"You would not stoop to such dishonorable
underhand proceeding, surelyP"
"Not at all dishonorable, Eice; only a trick
of the trade. To be sure it isn't generally done;
but would stretch point or two to make Hugh
Irving feel my power"
"Despicablel base = reiterated Ellice, wringing
her hands paSsionatey. "Frazer.I never would
have believed this of youl"
"Scold away, darling !" said Martin caressngly
touching her braids of shining black hair as YOU
might pet child. "You've no idea how sweet
you loook with these cheeks blazing and the
great eyes dilated like to see you get excited?'
"Ifitis really so, Frazer pursued the girl, eager
ly ego Immediately and undo the work of evil.
Do not let Hugh Irving suffer for a mere legal
technieality Remember the Place is bis home
bis all. Hasten back to the city for Heavens
sake ~
"Never!" said Martin decidedly, and with an
almost demoniac light in his eye Il tell you,
Ellice, hate the man, and l will not bate my
hold upon him r'
"Then, Frazer" said Elce calmly, sour en-
gagement is at an enc. will never marry man
who has taught me to despise himp'
'NOw, my darling, don't talk sOl' said Frazer
Martin, coaxingly. "You know very well that
you love me-that you are my affianced wife,