The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-11-13

IL : :
here again. He is SO. violent, and
then he has my father ia his power,
and fathers health is SO Shattered.
Not for your own sake. but for mine,
do, pray, avoid him." I
Unable to resist. her entreaty. I.
slipped into en- adjoining room, andd,
as they ascended the stairs and
entered the sitting-room, passe
down. Murdon's top-coat, an ill-fit-
ting wrap-rascal, which descended
to his ankles, was hanging in the
hall. He had Invested himself of his
over-coat, purposing to pass the even
ing at that house.
There was ut least hope that I
might find the receipt in one of the
pockets. Quick as thought 1 passed
my hand into the pocket in the breast
| of the coat, and found bulky pock-
et-book. It was full of old letters.
But there was an inner receptacle.
Victory! The receipt, with William
Wylde's counterfeited signature, in
shaky, ill-disguised handl A
poor, blundering attempt at forgery,
this, which would not have taken in
charity boy. I stifed the cry of
triumph which rose to my lips, pock-
eted the forged receipt, substituted
the veritable one, and returned the
pocket-book to the wrap. rascal. Then
calmly remounted the stairs and
entered Graham's sitting-room.
Murdon was was lolling on the sofa
as 1 entered, and looked up with his
supercilious, insolent stare.
Halo, Mister Skulk," he began,
81 thought you were i'll in bed; but
it seems you're not too i'll to poke
your nose into places where you are
not wanted"
Not noticing him directly, I turned
to Kate with look which she under
stood-a look which caused her face
to brighten. Taking her hand as if
to say good evening, L whispered:
"Your father is safe; back me up"
She smiled, and / turned to the old
man.
"Mr. Graham" I asked, "why do
you suffer this underlined person
about your house?"
The old clerk started, flushed and
began to stammer.
THAT, George--dear mc-why,
that is Mr.. Murdon-and-'
"He is the worst-conditioned Cur
on the face Of the earth, answered,
deliberately. He is a compound of
insolence and falsehood; a tyrant
within the power which he affects; q
bully, but an innocuous bully, and
no companion for you or your daugh-
ter. That's what Murdon is, Mr..
Graham"
He started from the sofa with an
oath. eff you approach me-" 1 cried,
stopping him, "I'll knock you down. {"
I knew him then for coward, for
he stopped short in the blow which
he had meditated, and turned green
and yellow. He was q bigger and
older man than I, but he held back
and ground his teeth. as I heaped in
suit on insult upon him, in my bitter
ness and my triumph.
"You don't know what you are
doing, you braggart young foolr' he
at length uttered, livid with rage.
"You are running your precious
friends here"
"You liel" I retorted; "there is
nothing you can do which can harm
n hair of their heads"
'Isnt there?" he cried. 81 can
send this old man to penal servitude;
I can beggar his daughter; and I ,ciN. "
can empty threat--a Dragging
boast, as mendacious as all you ever
say"
He shook trembling finger at the
old man, whose state Of terror I can
not hope to describe.
Gle is forger," Kissed Murdon.
ga thief and forger."
"Pooh," returned. "What has he
forged? Why do you waste words ?
Where are the proofs?"
"Ill show you what he has forged,
if that's any satisfaction, my young
champion, and the proofs shall be
laid tomorrow before other eyes than
yours. And he strobe vindictively
out of the room.
CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT.
| C.l. Il