The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-12-11
MISCELLANY.
THE FORGED CHECK.

THE FORGED CHECK.
The tall white pine trees in front of the an
tique red brick house We're motionless in the
balmy air; the sunshine lay in latticed CLEANS
athwart; the voice of the distant reapers float
ed down, like sounds in dream, TO the ear OF
Ellice May, as she sat in the doorway, her
work lying idly in her lap, aud her eyes fixed
on the hazy August hills. Beautiful eyes they
were-soft, large, and intensely black, fringed
with dark lashes that almost Swallowed her
cheek. There was something Eastern 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 hands-taper-fingered and pink-tipped-
they certainly seemed made expressly to beck
on dark-skinned slaves and WELD q iewelled
sceptre. Nature owns no law of climate; and
sometimes you are startled by finding this
Arabian Nights type Of face among dove7eyed
New England damsels, just as a fiery pome-
granate blooms amidst meek bue-bells and
mountain daisies on a farmhouse window
ledge.
"Now, don't look off into vacancy so provok-
ingly, Ellicer said tall, handsome man who
was leaning against one OF the columns of the
piazza. "Do be gracious TO fellow who has
driven all the way from town this broiling day
just TO catch glimpse of your bright eyesr'
Ellice turned her head and smiled, but
thoughtfully still: it was plain she was think
ing of something else.
"How do you like my new pair Of grays, Ell
iice?" pursued her companion. 81 bought
them with special eye to your preferences.
See them toss their heads under the pine bran
ches. can tell you there's blood therew
"They are very pretty" said Ellice, quietly.
very pretty! and is that all you have to
say? Ellce, what ails you today? don't be-
heve 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 forgot
ten your old penchdnt for Hugh Irving. Imet
him just below the turn of the road as drove
over--didn't stop to speak, however. Blythe
way, Ellice, I've done pretty smart stroke of
business to-day, that, imagine, will put Hugh
Irving effectually down for the present"
"What do you mean, Frazer?' said Ellice,
suddenly rousing herself from her temporary
abstraction.
81 mean that we maneuvred the mortgage
on the old Irving Place into our hands week
ortwo ago, and foreclosed to-day at twelve
O'clock, just half an hour after it became duen
"Foreclosed it?'
Eyes, and defy Mr.. Hugh to help himself
Or course they had no idea of the thing: i
kept it prodigously close, for / have always
wanted chance to break Hugh Irving's pride,
and fortune has favored mel / 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 an impossibility for
them to raise the money at so short notice !;
and, with all the rest, it won't be bad ar
rangement for me, pecuniarily speaking"
i. 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 ?"
"Never more SO in my life, my lover
"You would not stoop to such dishonor-
able, underhand proceeding, surely?n
Not at all dishonorable, Ellice; only 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"
"Dispicable base !" reiterated Ellice, wiring
ing her hands passionately. "Frazer, never
would have believed this of you.'
"Scold away, darlingw said Martin, caress-
ingiy touching her braids of shining black
hair, as you might pet child. you've no
idea how sweet you look with those cheeks
blazing and the great eyes dilated. l like to
see you get excited"
"If it is really so, Frazer" pursued the girl.
eagerly, go Immediately and undo the work
of evil. Do not let Hugh Irving suffer for
mere legal technically. Remember the place
is his home-his all. Hasten back TO the city,
for Heavens sake y ~.
he'sNeyers' said Martin, decidedly, and with
an almost demoniac light in his eye. Il tell
you, Ellice, hate the man, and will not bate
my hold upon him !" q as4f
Then, Frazer" said Ellice, calmly, "our en-
gagement is at an end. viii never marry
man who has taught me to dispise himr'
Now, my darling, don't talk SOP said Fra
yer, coaxingly. "You know very well that
you love me--that you are my affianced wife.
Tellfhe truth, now own up that you only
Hantto tease mer' 3 9 9 - f7'f SD
He would have passed his arm about her
h,.te t. l,ox. t<.<.l l.s1.<
Il might have loved YOU once, Frazer, or
fancied that did but your own words have
dispelled the Illusion. Henceforwacd you are
no more than the merest stranger TO me."
Martins handsome brow darkened aAre
you serious, Ellice May?" 90 ~
II am"
"And you really dismiss me from your pres
ence ~ .te-
II do"
"yery well, accept the dismissal. Return
to your first love, If you choose; but remem-
Der my tickle fair one, that you cannot smile
me back again when you are wearied of play
ing the coquette. Make your election now, or
neverw
at is made; good evening, Mr.. Martini"
said Ellice, calmly. And calmly she stood
there-her white dress futtering in the breeze,
while Martin twitched the reins of his splendid
grays from the post and sprang into his car
y
Noble little Ellce! she was true to her wo-
manhood, true to herself; and even at the time
when Hugh Irving lost his ancestral patrmony
he gained wife who had learned to love him
for himself alone. 1t was ray of hope in the
darkness; and with a brave heart he set to
work to build up the fallen fabric OF his for
tunes once more.
Quite romantic, upon my wordw sneered
Frazer Martin, as he read the marriage of
Hugh Irving and Ellice May in the newspapers.
"Just as they can afford! Butt he added. be-
tween his clencned teeth. iii the DAYS of Faust
were here once more would sell myself soul
and body, to the Evil One, for the chance of
striking that mans cup of happiness to the
groundp
Z, Twenty years had wrought but little change
in the dark beauty of Ellice Irving. One or
two threads of silver had, perhaps, interviewer
themselves in the abundant braids of ebon hair,
and the peach-blossom color of girlhood had
given place to a softer rose on her cheek: but
Elice was lovely still as she stood, in the fros-
ty October twilight, shading her eyes with one
fair jewelled hand, while the other pushed
' aside the crimson trails of the frost-touched
: vine which hung over the piazza pillars.
Looking for her husband. All there was no
loving eye to watch for Frazer Millions erring
footstepsi efitaAis ati s 4ftj
At length he came, welcomed home by the
glow of freligh6, and the merry voice of little
children and the peaceful calm of Elce's
smile! The world called Hugh Irving foFtu-
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