The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1864-11-19

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He looked at them with utter aston
ishment and dismay; his handwriting
had been SO skillfully initiated, that at
first he hardly knew whether or not to
acknowle dge them; but on glancing at
their contents afush Of Indignation came
to his cheek, and he declared they were
base forgeries-the handiwork of Il secret
enemy.
was present at the time. anl beheld
with mp,tert fury the failure Of my
deep laid schemes, and saw Myra cling
confdingly to my arrival, accepting, un
questioned. his base word, against what
seemed irrefragible proof of false
hood.
Then the demons of hate and ieal-
ousy took full possession of my soul.
With smile on my face, but with
the demon IN my heart, took my leave,
resolved, at all hazards, to free myself
of the mln who was my friend, and
whom determined ruthlessly to destroy
as my enemy.
| was long. very long, meditating on
a plan. At last invented and m ,tur-
ed plot worthy of Judas Iscariot.
Edward IIoughton was not in good
circumstances. He was pressed for
money, although on, the death of a very
aged relative he would posses compe.
tence. He had various small debts
owing sums ranging from twenty to a
hundred pounGs-perhaps two or three
hundred in all. But his creditors,
knowing that he was an honorable man,
aud that, in all hlman probability, he
would soon be in position to pay, for.
bore to press him.
|, however. employed a sharp Lon
don attorney to buy up all these debts,
and then to press for payment.
Great was the CONSERVATION of Ed.
. ward lIoughton when he found himself
thus suddenly and unexpectedly press
ed lie could not understand it, and
Q had rot the most remote idea of the
II means by which it was brought about.
5 He coufi led his troubles to me. |
IS listened toaI he had to say.
d GLOW much would clear you Of every
IS thing?" said l.
v "TIow much! Abo1t three hundred
pounds"
o "SuppoSing I lend you the money ?"
= "If you will do 50, you will confer
:. another aud lasting obligation on ne
| I'm sure | aud Myra shall be foreve
is grateful"
1t At hearing Myra's name mentioned
2 thus in connection with his, my hear
I grew hard as adamant.
n We were alone in my study. I re
1t solved to carry out my infamous de
sign.
n II will lend you the money / said
&c took my cheque book from a drawe
h in the beureau, aud handed in t
him
n Fill up a che0re for the amount
y you require" | said
n Had you not better do 50 :"
e excused myselfby saying that ha,
" sprained ono of my fingers
re E Elward tloughton filled up the bod
al of the cheque an1 handed it to me 70
ut signature. | took the pen and wrot
b. my name in a reisued, unnatural hand
ne initiating the writing ofthe body Of til
le cheque a. close as possible.
handed it to him. lie took it, an
ne placed it in his pocket,book then gra-
er ping my hand, he said merrily- -
2. "Old fellow, you are a true friend
shall never forget your kindness"
ut a shudder went through my fran
X at these words.
c, Edward IloughtOn left me, and | rc
Sc mained racked with contending emc
er tions. Atone time | thought wnu
is not do this thing but on the same. da
III | met my rival walking with his arr
around the waist Of Myra Neville -
IN saw tn, IN, and his doom was sealed.
| That night | left London.
p. The next day the chtque prcsente
n and although at the bank they locke,
[ with surprise at the strangeuess of tn
at signature, it was paid without question
all for Edward Houghton was known to
intimate with me, and his character W;
in spotess.
m, | wrote down to'Londou for my a
in count at the bank to the made up. TT
particulars, as to the amounts | ha
"a. drawn and the balance in hand, wei
10. sent By return of post
IA Among the cancelled cheques w
the one | had given to Houghton.
,ly returned it to the bank in an enveIop
ut with note, saying that there must |
p, some mistake, for l had never give
ce such cheque.
in Then awaited tie result.
or Ga the next day a special messenc,
ch arrived by the post from Edwal
in Houghton, bearing an indignent lette
ed lie had been arrested for iorger
to aud wrote for me to come down at on,
10. and clear him | did come down
,st the examination before the magistrate
kissed the bible. and sWore distinct
,rs that [ had never signed the oheque
of question, or given any one Authority