The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-02-23
Select Story.
THE ALTERED CHECK.
CHAPTER I.

tHAfIEh i.
The carriage of Madame Clarice
Spencer whirled into the long maple
avenue that. led to the beautiful home
Of that proud dame, and within its mis-
tress lolled back upon its crimson cush.
ions-the incarnation Of satisfied pros.
perity. But at au opening in the road
that led to the little artificial lake, Ma.
dame sprang impetuously forward
and cast an angry glance ut couple
who were just disappearing down the
shadowy path. The noiselcss wheels of
the luxurious coach had not been motto.
ed BY the pair, aud the lady alighted a
few rods further on, and, saying she
would walk up by the flower border,
dismissed the servants to the stable,
paused an instant till the carriage was
lost to view, then swiftly turning, she
followed the figures whose appearance
in the shrubbery had so startled her
composure. A few steps brought her
to the little lake whose edge the grand
walk eucircled. Behind the walk ran
acypress hedge, and the lady swiftly
passed iu the shadow of this hedge to
the rear Of the gentleman aud lady, who
bad stopped at rusti, seat, and we're
the objects Of her wrathful curiosity,
The girl was not more than eighteen,
and the strong resemblance she bore to
the listener behind the shrubbery, the
rich robe that fell about her, the dia.
monds that glistened in her ears and on
her tiny fingers, told she was the daugh-
ter Of the house. And certainly the
presence Of her companion was highbred
enough--the face noble and the carriage
proud enough--to suit even the taste Of
the ambitious Madame Clariee. But
the tall, aristocratic looking man was
nevertheless the private tutor Of neigh.
boris son, and already some casual re.
mark among the servants had reused
the mothers suspicion, She had spoken
TO Edith of the intimacy which might
cause idle tongues to connect their
names as she would never like to hear
them, and the daughter, with much of
her mothers temper, had replied bitter
ly. Though the discussion was drop.
ped for the time, and Edith had seen
less Of the tutor, still the heart of Ma
dame was rot quite satisfied. "Edith
was so headstrong, and Granville Dun.
bar was so handsome" she reasoned,
that il really was extremely natural
they should be fascinated. But beyond
filtration the ambitious mother vowed
it shonld never go.
And now as she crouched behind the
hedge, where every word was audible
to the listener, she set her teeth aud
fingers together 10 rage as she heard
her daughter, on whose future she built
SO many proud hopes, over aud over
again assure the beggarly tutor that
she would never cease to love him, aud
whatever opposition was in store for
her, she would brave everything and
become his wife,"
Then the deep, loving tones Of the
tutors voice fell on her outraged ear,
as he planned for the future, With the
slight figure Of Edith clasped close to
the lovers protecting breast.
Clarice Spencer fairly held herself to
prevent interrupting this exasperating
interview, but BY powerful efforts she
restrained herself, as she felt sure any
interference would hasten the catastro-
phe OF marriage which was being plan.
ned under her sindionanf p,aternal rasai