The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-04-19
rnE FORGED cHECK.

n
Cleora Duhamel was belle, IN
hciress, and motherless. Her father,
wealthy merchant, epgrossed in bust.
ness, imagined that money would do any
thing, and 80 left his only daughter to
tutors and goyernesses, masters and mis-
tresses, .fsjl9tf sI.5
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 course OF coquetry, extrayagance,
and pleasure, rs only o girl with her
beauty, temperament, and bringing up
was capable OF.
Her fathers attention was first attract.
ed by her extravaganza. Miss oleora's
monthly allowance, though too ridicu.
lously large to be told here, was not near
iy enough for her. Every month bills
were sent in for her father to settle, and
in spite Of remonstrance, md even
something stcrner, and though the one
creature that this spoiled heiress stood
in awe Of was her father, still these bills
grew. .f.s. ~ i,Gct
One month, Mr.. Duhamel threatened
to withdraw his extrayagant daughter
from society entirely. The next, he de-
clared, in the NEST solemn manner, that
the next time she oyerran her allowance,
he would himself notify the various fash.
ionable tradospeople with whom she was
most in tho habit Of making bills, that
they must not trust her. Clara believed
him thia t;n,c M moro bills were pra.
sented her father prepayment.
One day Frank Reeves o young clerk
in tho employ Of Mr., Duhamel astound-
ed that gentleman by asking his permis.
sion 10 marry his daughter. OF course
he received q very abruptard peremp-
tory "No," for his answer. And the
merchant, not doubling that Cleora her.
self was answerablc for tho presumption
ofwhich this young gentleman Ind been
guilty, reached home in very irate
frame Of mind; and summoning his
daughter, reproyed her sharply.
Cleora laughed first, ported after.
wnrtls, and ended by crying.
Less than week from tliattime, Miss
Cleora received anotherlecture, couched
in much brieier Language, but eloquent
beyond anything that young lady had
ever listened TO before, Judging from
the impression it made.
"You ought to be proudof your work,
miss, declared Mr.. Dnlanicl, angrily.
"Frank Reeves has got himself intoreal
trouble this time, aud there's no doubt
inmy mind that he would never have
done 80 crazy q thing, II his head hadn't
been turned about you"
,aWhat has poor Frank done nowl"
asked Cleora, incredulously, but looking
little uneasy.
"He has been forging the name Of
Duhamel & Co."
Miss cleora started, and turned red
and white all In q breath.
"Papa, how do yon knowt
.He don't deny It; Ind the effron-
tery,tp present IL at the bank himself,
even" 't'
silence some moments Miss clcora
grew paler and paler, and twisted hcr
black curis with nervous white fin
"Papa, what will you do with himfn
she asked, presently.
ali lido nothing. The Inv he has
outraged will give him Q, term in prison,
probably. Serve him right, too"
"Do you know where he is now"
she asked, trembiingly; but the mer-
chant, absorbed in his own reflection,
did not notice that.
"1n Newgate, Of course"
"oli, papa ]" ,4.
Cleofa 6uhainel rose to her feet,
white and palpitatng. .s...,... !.
Mr.. Duhamel lifted his keen eyes to
her face scrutinizingly ..gg
"It would bc easy to imagine that you
had some personal interest in this young
scamp, he said, coldly. !
Cleora clasped her hands, and looked
upat him with trembling lips.
"welli" exclaimed the merchant,
angrily, rising also.
"Papa, what made yon let him 50 TO
aReallsi WHY should 1 not, pray ,
Come, come, miss. It is % good thing
for you, i soc, that ho is disposed Of
1Papa, Frank Reeves never forged
nt,ybody's name in his life"-and
atAcOth DuEtt luto tohAp ASA ''.SN
time that evening.
sTUHe don't deny II himself, repeated
lfr. Duhamel. with added Indignation
and amazement at his naughty daugh-
ter's espousal Of the young mans cause.
Az Cleora made her escape from the
room, he began 10 paee np aud down,
mutterinR, Hsho's acknowledgements TO
do anything. Tim glad he's where he
Il. thonrh i always liked the Young fell
low Ifsodd TOO that he wouldn't de-
fend himself. Neither denied or owned
Il, some mystery there, but tia not
my business 70 Holvc NJ u.
Frank Reeves was tried for forgery !
pleaded aNot guilty" but refused 70
Qiye any account Of tile forged check he
had certainly presented Of the bank aud
,feOAyed ihs money on. He wa,.hent to
niaou far Ava Venfa, lfta