The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-11-28

burnt II It's place failed to guess. For
though the money itself was safe, the re-
ccipt yet remained in Murdon's hands, and
any attempt at an e.'t;rcisssaseM would
only bring down detection on her fathers
head. | could only murmur some COM
monplaces of sympathy and consolation,
assure her that | hoped yet to foil Murilon,
and re-est:il.!isl her fathers peace ofnind.
And so l left her.
That evening again sought out Wyldc,
and found him at his usual haunt, and in
his install state. automatically and with
much decentralization, l worked the con-
versation round to the subject of money,
and my gcEtlenan's claims upon his father
ii:-law. Mr.. Wylde's present mood was
less violent than ordinary, but more bitter
ly Respondent.
/ ''What's the use of trusting to that old
buGicr?'' he asked dejectedly. 81 was
once led to believe he would come down
with 4 round sum if l applied to his law
yers. l went, and saw ycllow-faced
scoandre,-a loatllsome hound with a
I&unch. He threatened to set the balilfs
OF Ire if came again. He knew where to
! have me, the mcnial. never troubled his
degraded sight again"
''When was that?''
''ihat was--let me see, thirteen months
ago on tic first of this month. Ha no
matter lie knew my weak point, mali
son be on his caitif soul, I was in difficult
| ties at that time ; am in difficulties now
! If you had half a crown upon you-''
Il have much more than half a crown
upon me, and you shall have it, if you will
give me an acknowledgement, returned.
'I'll give you,', said Mr.. Wylde, grace
fully, ''ily solemn | o L on any sum above
Il sovereign. \ gentleman 0 L, pre-
>umc is rs sacred as his bond.'
Exactly SO. But must have receipt
in full
''Iou may have, Mr. Dunning, my ac-
ccptance, if you like, at three, six, Or nine
months, presupposing That the sum is at
| least iivcr.'
The magnificent air of probity with
which he delivered his condition ticklcd
Inc.
Supposing l could accommodate you
with ten livcrs,'' answered, ''would you
;ln:c,litc the reccipt?'
81 would do anything, sir, honorable
and accommodating. l would give you Il
mortgage on my personal or freehold pro-
ref;;, or lien on my next half-year's sal
arg, whichever you like. But what do you
mean?'
Before replying, called for more re-
frcsl.mcmt, and Helped him copiously yet
iu,iieiouSiy. Look here, Wylde," l said,
Il have a reason III this, of course,-a mo-
tive. | want to prove to certain parties
who snail be namelcss, that my in
come 4 cou;.'c O. years ago amounted to a
certain sum,-call it Z in algebra an I'M
known quantity. Now if l get receipt
from you for an advance, dating about
eighteen months back, have documentary
evidence wli:h | can exhibit, and prove
my position at That time. Do You see:"
Il Sec" chucklcd Wyldc. Like the
arrears OF unpaid income tax, only more
valuable, being 4 gert!ciran's bona fide
receipt. Sly dog
The money you shall have downtown.
VIII you give ne an antedated rcccipt?''
''What's the sum -
give hundred ponnds."
Mr.. Ws,de upset his glass. Bring
20: III the lond,' Ec cried, heroicaily.
III Sign it il it were dated five hundred
ycais back
| produced the receipt, previously pre-
pared on one OF ii:c firms loose forms, and
the bank note Number o., iS2. The latter
Mr.. Wyiic eyed susl,iciouSly, questioning
its genuineress. But upon my showing
him that the receipt was merely for this
note, with the number specified, and that
unless the note were good the acknowledge
mcnt would be valueless, lie ahated his dis
trust, merely remarking that he should
never believe his luck until he had cashed
the ''ilimsy.''
But he affixed his signature without fur
tier protest. And on my expressing de-
sire to have the names of 4 couble of wit
ncsscs to the document, Mr.. Wylde, re-
leved at the demand as corroborative of
the @enuincnoss of the note, summoned the
landlord and waiter who added their
names with cheerful alacrity, pleased at
being called on to witness so tremendous
transaction.
.:.ind now," said Mr.. Wylde, when it
was concluded, II shall leave and migrate
full country, and to seek to plant the STAN
tlard Of art i'll the far West. When I have
acquired the colossal fortune which awaits
the true artist i'll that more cnterprising
cline, l shall punctually discharge this
debt, Mr.. Dunning, which I persist in re-
garding as q mere temporary obligation"
Tic possession of the true receipt was IN
important step gained; the next and more
difficult one was to obtain and tic stroy the
forged acknowledgement Towards that
attainment I now directed my energies.
! knew it could be concealed in no draw
er or desk accessible to the firm it was
too valuable to be allowed to slip out of
Murlon's private keeping. 1t was likely
enough kept under lock and key in his own
desk. Watching my opportunity, l al
stractcd his bunch Of keys one day when
he was engaged in the private room of the
firm, having left them in one Of his draw
ers. There was no time then to rumage
/ in his desk, bat | rapidly took an impress
| sion of all his keys-only five i'll number
| in wax which | had kept prepared for that
purpose. The mould l took to a lock-
| smith, the sou of my lanllady, 4 man on
whom / could rely. Trumping up some
tory about Il fellow-c!crk whose honesty !
suspected, and whose drawers I wished to
search, got him to make me a set of keys
according to the pattern. The locksmith
was not man burdened with conscientious
scruplcs besides, he knew me well enough
not to discredit my motives in ordering the
job. He made the keys readily and deity.
Armed with these, one evening, when the