The Placer herald., 1874-08-08
SILWOOD GRANGE.

In a private room of the "Swan Inn, "
Hammersham, two gentlemen were engaged
IN no pleasant conversation.
81 am sorry" remarked one, addressing
The other, considerably his Junior, who was
paci the apartment; "but AS necessity has
40 law, must have the twenty pounds to-
morrow, or---
"Or what?" demanded the second, turn
my quick y towards him
81 shall be compelled to place in John
Oxley's hand the check | hold, forged by
his adopted son.
The fair countenance of the listener be-
came dark with rage; his hands clenched /;
uut evidently aware of how useless Was
such ebulion of feeling, he restrained him
self, and slowly said, "lf you do that, Ion
Chester, you will spoil your own game ana
ruin me.
You bring the ruin on your own head,
You first pay me just debt with IA forged
check, which fortunately for you-ds-
cover before presenting it 10 be rejected. l
overlook that and now you want me to
forego twenty pounds more. Why don
YOU ask John Oxley? You told me once
he could refuse you nothing
"Once?" repeated the other, sullenly
"rhat time has long passed.
"I suppose" laughed Chester, "you
we're too generous in asking.
Far more so han lie Is giving, replied
Gilbert Burt. "l'll tell you, my adopted
father is as great mlser as ever trod III
shoe leather. He loves to hoard his money,
TO look at, and count it, am to inherit all
at bis death; until which, must not ex-
ceed my allowance"
Board, lodging, and two hundred yrar
ockel-money. Not bad TO one who has no
other claim on him but that of being the son
Of a woman he loytd | fancy the nephew
he disinherted for your sake, Burt, would
he glad of your place.
"AnI Ill tell you what" CALCULATED the
other, resolutely, she will get it. How, !
cannot imagine, but some of my ,doinss
must have reached John Oxey's ears. lie
often converscs upon the subject, and ex-
presses opinions feel are leveIed at me
And. besides, his manner is different"
More reason, my dear fellow, for you al
once to pay his twenty. I'm not rich; !
cant afford to lose it, and John Oxey migdl
alter his will. "
Gilbert Burt's face changed at the sug-
sesiion He walked thoug hlfully 20 the
window.
John Oxlcy, the owner of Silwood Grange,
was sixty.five and, bachelor. In Ills
youth he had loved devoiedly; but the Oh
L. "A, I,.,y hagtnWpd
affection elsewhere he made a vow OF pr
petuaI ,elibacy--a resolution by no means
opposed by his relations.
Ten years later, however, the woman died
will in a few days Of her husband, eavln
her only child, Gilbert, an orphan. On the
Intelligence reaching John Oxley, he adopted
the boy, and brought him up as his own
son.
When, however, the lad grew to man
hood, he was idle and dissolule to an ex-
tent which -accorded with bis toster-ia-
hers notions, and greatly esranged him
from one who, for his mothers sake, he
would | ave shaped TO his own purpose.
But Oxley was forced to the conclusion
that Gilbert took more after his father than
his mother. The disappointment grleved
him more than he cared to say. Neverthe-
less, hoping for amendment when the wild
ness of youth was passed, he retained him
in favor, keeping a secret watch on his pro-
ceedings, which brought anything but sat-
isfacory result.
Thus difference had risen between
them, and Gilbert Burt was assured If ever
John Oxley knew of the forged check, hs
ruin was certain
He thought of this as he stood by th-
window, and conned owe: lom Chester s
words. He shuddered at the idea. Never
had it so torcibly presenter itself to him, or
seemed so probable. He leaned bis hot
forehead against the glass, and pondered.
"Come, Burt, | want your answer,
broke in his friend, who stared at the hay
gard countenance abruptly turned upon
him.
""Meet me here a twelve tomorrow, and