The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-16
s1LAs GRnfGRIy,s TRAP.

ats plain case" Mr.. Grimgrin said
Against whom would there mol have beer
a plain case, Mr.. Grimgrin judgingi
"No doubt he il guilty but what are
the facts n inquired Miss Thugge, II
whose theory ofjustice striking Camt
before hearing.
"They are very simple, "Mr. Grimgrir
answered "presented an altered check
at the Oxide Bank this morning. jail
for forgery this evening. .F.
" But there may be some explanation,
tlmidly remarked a young lady, at whose
simplicity Mr.. Grilhgrin smiled, and Mis-.
Thugge shifted. ' "
"He should have made Il at once
then" said Mr.. Grimgrin, J" instead o.
standing dumb before bis accusers. After
explanations don't go for much in sucf
csses.n 4i r.
"Poor Edith LIT will break her heart,
the young lady could not help adding.
"POOh y said Mr.. Grimgrin as yor
will find ont some day, heart-breaking |.
only figure Of speech" .
Leaving the rest Of Miss Thugge's party
10 laugh, and the young lady to blush, Al
Mr.. Grimgin's sententious observation,
let us go back STEP.
Ernest Jasper, whose arrest for forgery
was just now the subject Of conversation
had hitherto borne an unblemished char
acter. He and Lis brother George, out o.
moderate saleries, after supporting theil
widowed mother, managed to lay uT
something every year, and each was look
ing to happy time-not far distant, hC
hoped-when certain tender engagements
would no longer need to be deferred.
The course OF truthful love never ran
smoother than in the case OF Ernest Jas
per and Edith Wade. Too trusting to
allow mischief to be made between them
and too generous TO make II between
themselves, what could disturb the even
tenor oftwo such livesi
George Jasper was ola different temper
from his brother. With a heart As true,
he was more impulsive and passionate II
Is such men that are easily melted to
jealousy, and who act rasllly nnderit.
When George jasper and Mildred
Heath plighted their troth, they would
have staked their lives on each Others
loyalty. But evil tongues GENE between
them. Stories which should have been
scorned -and were 30 at fiist-in time
began to be listened to. Then came
quarrels and reconciliations, ltime and
again repeated, till atlast 1t was insinuated
10 George that he had a rival in his lore
He demanded an explanation in tone Sc
imperious that Mlldred's pride tool
offence, and she answered It with silence
They parted In anger, and Georges visit
ceased. i ~ -lt.Il lf1 ;lJ J
A few days later, cool note frou
Mildred informed him that all was oyel
between them. In his bitterest momenti
he had not counted on this. It cam,
upon him like q thunder. clap. His tirst
impulse was to fly from the scene OF hi'
misery = whittier he cared not : tlt
further the better.
A letter, received through the post.
Office, announced to Ernest bis brothers
Leaving on you, . tie letter went on,
1the burden Of our mothers support, ]
enclose you my employer. Mr.. Winters,
check for all my savings over the neces'
sary expenses Of my journey. / cannot
tell you where am going, for do not
know. To you and our mother--the only
ones 10. whom have lieright to offer II
-TleavO my fondestlloye. Farewell.
It was the check thus enclosed, which
on Icing presented by Ernest, was ascer-
tained 70 have been altered to a larger
amount % osa .a1sV
On being questioned, Ernest offered no
explanation. Instantly 1t flashed upon
him that he could not speak without
compromising his brother, and bis silence
was construed as a confession Of guilt
BE was at once arrested and committed
for trial. H,..A q .tltH
silas Grimgrin was a post.ofiee clerk,
moral beyond his years, aud with con.
science tendefly alive the Sins Of Others,
We have already seen how little lenity
poor Ernest received at his hands. y
silaa Grimgrih bad Just returned from
Miss Thugge's party, and, In his bachelor
apartment, was RECALLING himself with q
cigar and divers reflections on the vanity
ofhuman wishes, when knock announced
visitor.
hls shoulder Z. 2 Il FU i Y \
slooprpg 10 clear the doorway, . young
man entered, . felloW-cletk Of silas, At