Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-09-02

NiiCe, w pay on very Ofu uoDI-C(
pay it with interest. What do you
advised"
"Don't talk in riddles, you provok
ing fellow Speak out plainly, or ]
never shall be able to comprehend you,
said Mrs. Irving.
''Listen, then, my dear wife," said
Hugh, suddenly growing grave, almost
stern in his manner. "You know that
I have been in the h abit of depositing,
from time to time, any unappropriated
sums Of money in the Bank, New
York. Well, had occasion, not long
since, to send for supply. 1t soas
duly forwarded to day, with a notice
that had slightly over-drawn my &C
count. knew this to be impossible,
as the balance lying there was nearly
ten thousand dollars, and my order
was but for FIVE. On examining the
statement Of accounts sent on with the
funds, discovered that a check for
FIVE thousand dollars, bearing my
signature, had been presented and
cashed some six months previously
Now I had never heard of the thing,
nor signed any such check"
"Well!" said. Ellice, her lips apart,
and her eyes fixed earnestly on her
husbands grave face.
''And the name of the man who
presented this check-this forged check
remember-was Frazier Martin /"
Ellice grew pale, and clasped her
hands tightly together. "Good heaven,
Hugh can this thing be possible 2"
"Not merely possible, love, but GER
tain. A fit winding up of his career of
recklessness and dissipation" said
Irving, bitterly.
"But, Hugh, what measures have
you taken?" asked Ellice, who seemed
scarcely able to realize the stupendous
fraud.
"None, as yet but at the earliest
practicable hour to morrow morning l
shall set the officers of the law upon
the track of this undetected felon."
What is thee consequence, Hugh ?"
eImprisonment for life!" was the
stern answer.
Ell1ce trembled, and half opened her
lips, but there was no CLEAN OF encour-
agement in the dark brow of her hus
band.
"Oh, Hugh, dear Hugh, to think
that l might have been the wife of this
wretched man !"
Mr.. Irving passed his hand fondly
over his wife's hair, and drew her
closer toward him, as if he would avert
the merest thought of danger from
her.
IF You please, ma am" said a ser'
want. putting his head in at the door,
"would you step into the hall a minute ?
The housekeeper wants to speak word
with you?"
Mrs Irving rose and passed quietly
out of the room. Hugh remained in
his old position, gazing into the fire
with set teeth and corrugated brow.
In moment his wife returned, with
white, shocked face.
Hugh - busband-I have a sad
story to tell you. The servants have.
brought in poor, foot-sore creature,
wearied with travel, and, I fear, on the
verge of fever. He fell on the wayside
little way below and Bruce found him
as he came back from stabling your
horses. He is worn to a skeleton with
fatigue and privation shall we take
him in 7"
''Certainly," said Mr. Irving, rousing
himself with an effort from the train of
thought in which he had been WE'LL
nigh absorbed let the servants see that
he has every care"
"But, Hugh, dearest" p'e'ded the
wife, looking with grieved, terrified
eyes into his own, twill you come and
see him? We have laid him on the
sofa in the anteroom."
eff you wish it, my dear. certainly,
said MIR. Irving. "Why, what is the
matter ?-you tremble like leaf"
"Oh, my husband" nurmured
Ellice, pausing as their feet touched
the threshold of the door, "only re-
member the Bible words: BLESSED
are the merciful, for they shall obtain
mercy"
Hugh Irving had not time to ask an
explanation of her words ere he found
himself in the ante-room, FROM which
the servants had all been dismissed.
There, upon the sofa, lay wild eyed
man, with dusty garb and bleeding
feet, his clothes in tatters, and his face
Swallowed by beard of several days
growth. As Mr.. Irving approached
be gave faint cry, and endeavored to
spring from his couch, like one who
would fee, but weakness and approach
ing illness overpowered him, aud he
sank back on the sofa, covering his