Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-01-15
THE FORGED CHECK.

less IN lne Oalmy alr; tne SUNSHINE lay IN
latticed CLEANS arthwart the piazza floor;
and lar off on upland meadows, the
voice of the distant reapers iloated down,
like sounds in dream, to the ear OF
Ellice MAY, as she sat in the doorway,
her work lying idly 10 her lap, and her
eyes fixed on the hazy August hills
Beautiful eyes they were-soit, large and
intensely black, fringed with dark lashes
that almost shadowed her cheek. There
was something eastern in the style OF Ell
lice Mays beauty-the olive cheek stain
cd with rose; tho small scarlet mouth;
and the serene straight features. AS for
the little hands-tapere fingered and
pink .tipped-they certainly seemed made
expressly to beckon dark skinned slaves
and WELD ieweled sceptre. Nature own,
no law of climates; and sometimes you
are startled by finding this Arabian
Nights type Of face among dove-eyed
New England damsels inst as fiery pom
egranite blooming amidst blue. bells and
mountain daisies on farm house window
ledge.
"Now, don't look off into vacancy so
provokingly, Ellice !" said tall hand
somo 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 broilng day just
to catch a glimpse of your bright eyeo!"
Elice turned her head and smied
but thoughtfully still it was plain she was
thinking OF something else.
"How do you like my new pair Of
grays, Ellce?" pursued her companion.
81 bought them with special eye to
your preferences. See them toss their
heads under the pine branches. l can
tell you there's blood there"
"They are very pretty" said EIlice,
quietly.
VERY pretty ! and is that all you have
to say? Ellice, what ails you to-day?
don't believe you care half so much for
me as you used. Give me one of those
old smiles, now--do--or / shall fancy
that you haven't entirely forgotten your
old penchdat or Hugh Irving. met him
Just below the turn Of the road as drove
over-diint stop to speak, however,
BY the way, Elicc, I've done pretty
smart stroke of business too day, that. !
imagine, will put Hugh Irving down for
the present"
"What do you mean, Frazor?" said
Elliee. suddenly rJusing herself from her
temporary abstraction.
81 mean that we manoeuvered the mort
gage on the old Irving Place into our
hands a week or two ago, and foreclosed
to-day attwelve o'clock, just half an hour
after it became due'
"Forecosed it?"
"Yes, and =! defy Mr.. Hugh to help
himself. Of course they had no idea OF
the thing; kept it p odigiously close, for
| always wanted chance to break Hugh
lrvine's pride, and fortune has favored
me ! ! should not wonder if he were en-
route thi = moment to give directions to
that old times lawyer Of his, blesSedly
unconscious! The Irving Place must go,
for it will he next to an imposSibility for
them TO raise the mOn'y at so short II
notice; and, with all the rest, it won't be
bad arrangement for me pecunarly
speaking"
Bat Ellice had risen from her seat with
Redeemed checks, and eyes that were lit.
orally wells of angry sparkle.
Frazer Martin, you are not in car.
nest %
"Never moro so in my life, my love p
"You would not stoop to such dis
honorable, underhanded proceeding sure.
ly"
"Not at all dishonorable Ellice; only
trick of the ade. To be sure it isn't
generally done; but would stretch Il
point or two to make Hugh Irving feel my
power
"Despicable! base" reiterated Ellicc,
wringng her hsadS pasSionately. Fra
zer, never would have believed this of
you"
"Scold away, darling!" said Martin,
carcssingly touching her braids OF shin.
ing black hair, as you might pet child.
you've no idea how sweet you look
with those cheeks blazing aud the great
eyes dilated like to see you get OK,
cited !"
"lf it is really so. Frazer" pursued
the girl, eagerly. Ego Immediately undo
the work Of evil Do not let Hugh IT.
vine suffer for mere legal techuicali,y
Remember the place is his home-hiS all.
Hasten back to the city, for Heaven y
sake |"
"Never!" said Martin, decidedly, and
with an air almost demoniac light in his
eye. 81 tell you, EIiice. hate the man
and | will not bate my hold upon him. y
Then, Flazer." said Elice, camly
"our engagement is ut an end | viii
never marry a man who has taught mo t.
despise him"
Now my darling. don't talk sol" said
Frazer Martin, coaXlngly. You know
very well that you love me--that you ar,
my aiiiancei wife. Tell the truth. now
own up that you only want to tease met
lie would have passed his arm abou
her waist, but she drew back with digni
ty.
II might have lovGl you once, Frazer
or rancied that | did; but your own word
have dispelled the illusion. llcnceior
ward you are no more than the meres
stranger to me-"
Martins handsome brow aarkenod. -
"Are you serious. Ellce May?"
IL am"
And you really dismiss me from you
presence?"
II do"
"Very we'll accept the dismissal -
Return to first love, II you choose; In,