The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-07-07
MISCELLANY.
THE FORGED CHEcx.

Cle0ta Duhamel was belle, an heiress and
inotherless. Her father was a wealthy mer-
chant engrossed in business, imagined that
money would do anything, and so left his
only daughter to tutors and governesses,
masters and mistresses.
When Cleora entered society at the age of
eighteen-thus her father willed-she became
at once one of the queens Of the circle in
which she moved, and ran such a course Of
coquetry, extravaganza and pleasure as only
girl with her beauty, temperament and
bringing up was capable Of.
Her fathers attention was first attracted by
her extravagance. Miss Cleora's monthly al
lowance, though too ridiculously large to be
told here Was not enough for her. Every
month bills we're sent to her father to settle,
and In spite of remonstrance, and even some
thing sterner and though the one creature
that this spoiled heiress stood in awe of was
her father, still these hills grew.
One moment Mr.. Duhamel threatened to
withdraw his extravagant daughter from So
ciety entirely the next he declared, In the
most solemn manner, that the next time she
overran her allowance he would himself notify
the fashionable tradespeople with whom she
was most in the habit of making bills that
they must not trust her Cleora believed him
this time. No more bills were presented her
father for payment.
One day Frank Reeves, young clerk in the
employ of Mr. Duhamel, astonished that
gentleman by asking his permission to marry
his daughter. Ofcourse he received very
abrupt and peremptory No y for his answer
And the merchant, not doubling that Cleora
herself was answerable for the presumption
of which this gentleman had been guilty,
reached home In a very rate frame of mind,
and, summoning his daughter, reproved her
sharply.
Cleora laughed first, pouted afterwards and
ended by crying.
Less than a week from that time Miss
Cleora received another lecture, couched in
much briefer language, but eloquent beyond
anything that young lady had ever listened to
before, judging from the impression it made.
You ought to be proud Of your work
Miss declared Mr.. Duhamel, angrily. frank
Reeves has got himself into real trouble this
time, and there's no doubt in my mind that
he would never have done 50 crazy thing If
his head hadn't been turned about you.'
"What has poor Frank done now p"
asked Cleora, increduously, but looking a
little uneasy.
g He has been forging the name of Duha-
mel s. Co."
Miss Cleora started, and turned red and
white all in BREATH
"Papa, how do you know"
"He don't deny it had the effrontery to
present it at the bank himself even.''
Silence some moments. Miss Cleora grew
taler srd pzier, and twisted her black curls
with nervous white fingers.
"Papa, what will you do with him9" she
asked presently.
81? do nothing. The law he has out
ragged will give him term in prison probably.
Serve him right, too.''
"Do you know where he is now " she
asked, tremblinglyi but the merchant, alb
sorbed in his own reflection, did not notice
that
I" In Newgate, Of course"
"Oh, Papa ~
Cieora Duhkmel rose to her feet white and
palpitating.
Mr.. Duhamel lifted his keen eyes to her
face scrutinizingiy.
1T would be easy to imagine that you had
some personal interest in this young scamp, .
lie said coldly.
Cleora cissped her hands, and looked up at
him with trembling lips.
"Well!" exclaimed the merchant, angrily,
rising also.
"Papa, what made you let him 60 to New
gateg"
Really Why should not, pray Come,
come, Miss. II is good thing for you, see,
shat he is disposed Of"
"Papas Frank Reeves never forged any
body's name in his life and Cleora burst
into tears for the second time that evening.
"He don't deny II himself" repeated Mr..
Duhamel, with added Indignation and amaze
ment at his naughty daughters espousal Of
the young mans cause.
As Cleora made her escape from the room
b began to pace up and down.. aaattexipe