The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-03-04
SELECT TALE.
THE FORGED CHECK.


antique red brick house were motionless
in the balmy air, the sunshine lay in lat
ticed CLEANS athwart the piazza floor, and
far off, on upland meadows, the voice oi
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, her eyes fixed on the
hazy August hills. Beautiful eyes they
were-soft. large, and intensely black
fringed with dark lashes that almost shad-
owed her cheek. There was something
eastern in the style of Ellice Mays beau.
ty-the olive cheek stained with rose, the
small, scarlet mouth, and the serene
straight features. As for the little hands
I-taper-fngered and pink-tipped II they
certainly seemed made expresslyto beckon
darl-skinned slaves and WELD jewelled
scepter. Nature owns no laws 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 daises on farm
house window ledge.
sNow, don't look off into vacancy SO
provokingly, Ellice! !" said tall, hand
some man who was leaning against one of
the columns of the piazza. DO be gra-
cious to fellow who has driven all the
way from town this broiling day just to
catch glimpse of your bright eyes!''
Ellice turned her head and smiled, but
thoughtfully still: it was plain she was
thinking of something else.
"How do you like my new pair of grays,
Ellice?" pursued her companion. g I
bought them with special eye to your
preferences. l can tell you there's blood
therep'
They are very pretty" said Ellice,
quietly.
sVe,y pretty and is that all you have
to say? Ellice, what ails you to-day? l
don't believe you care half SO much for
me as YOU used. Give me one of your old
smiles, now-do-or 1 shall fancy that
you haven't entirely forgotten your old
penehant for Hugh Irving. met him
just below the turn of the road as drove
over-didn't stop to speak, however. By
the-way, Ellice, I've done pretty smart
stroke of business to day, that, I imagine,
will put Hugh Irving effectually down for
the present. M
"What do you mean, Frazer?" said
Ellice, suddenly rousing herself from her
temporary abstraction.
Il mean that we manuvered the mort
gage on the old Irving Place into oul
hands week or two ago, and forcclosed
to-day at twelve o'clock, just half an
hour after it became due"
'sForeclosed it?"
eyes, and 1 defy Mr. Hugh to help
himself OF course they had no idea OF
the thing; kept it prodigiously close
for | have always wanted chance to
break Hugh Irving's pride, and fortune
has favored me! l should not wonder il
he were en route this moment to give di.
rections to that old times lawyer of his
blessedly unconscious! The Irving Place
must 60, for it will be next to an impossi.
bility for them to raise the money at sc
short notice, and, with all the rest, il
won't be a bad arrangement for me, pc
cuniarily speaking.
But Ellice had risen from her seat with
redeemed cheeks, and eyes that were lit
orally wells of angry sparkle.
| Frazer Martin, you are not in earnest?'
aNever more so in my life, my love!''
'sYou would not stoop to such dis
honorable, underhand proceeding, surely?
s:Not at all dishonorable, Elice: only
trick of the trade. To be sure, it ism
generally done; but I would stretch ;
point or two to make Hugh Irving feel ny
power.
ssDespicable! basel" reiterated Ellice
wringing her hands passienately. "Fraze
| never would have believed this o
you"
'sscold away, darlingr' said Martin
caresingly touching her braids of shinin.
black hair, as you might pet child
"You've nogidea how sweet you look Will
those cheeks blazing and the great eye
dilated. like to see you get excited''
IF it is really SO, Frazer" pursued
the girl, eagerly, "go Immediately an,
undo the work of evil Do not let Hagl
Irving suffer for mere legal technical
/ ty. Remember the place is his home
his all. Hasten back to the city, fo
Heavens sake!'
"Nevcr,' said Martin, decidedly, an,
with an almost demoniac light in his eye
II tell you, Ellice, l hate the man, and
will not bate my hold upon him!''
ssThen, Frazer" said Ellice, calmly
l'sour engagement is at an end I vii
never marry man who has taught me t
despise himP' & ss
"Now, my darling, don't talk sol'' sal
Frazer Martin, coaxingly. You knoy
very we'll that you love me--that you ar
my af6anced wife. Tell the truth now
lown up that you only want to tease mel
/ He would have passed his arm aroun
her waist, but she drew back with dig
nifty.
i "I might have loved you once, Frazer
or fancied that did; but your own word
have dispclled the allusion. Hencefo1
ward you are no more than the meres
stranger to me"
Martins handsome brow darkenet
|"Are you serious Ellice May?"
II am."
4 "And you really dismiss me from you
presence?"
t ST do"
], every we'll. I accept the dismissa
Return to your first love If vou choos