The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-01-09
FORGERY
Or, Cliffia Earle's Sacrifice,
DY CAPT. CHARLES HOWARD.


Cliffia Earle, the little blonde belle of
Harrisburgh, turned from the deep bay
window with frightened expression,
and gazed, without word, into her
fathers eyes.
1t was his tone rather than his words
that startled her.
Woman he went on; 'is good dis
sembler. Cliffia, you would make a
magnificent Lady Macbeth. 1 shall
call on manager Macauley to. morrow
and speak of you. 1 believe he has
mentioned you several times
Father, what do you mean?' and
the wlte hand of Cliliia touched his
arm.
Girl, dare you not tell me that you
have not heard of his arrest?'
L dare. 1 have heard of nobody's
arrest. Who is arrested now?'
Her cheeks grew paler, as she put
the question, and q tremor shook her
fragile frame. But she looked her par
ert in the eye.
He answered slowly:
Frank Dwight is in the hands of the
law
Clillia shrank away,
Frank Dwight she gasped. With
the commission of what crime is he
charged?'
Forgery
'Forgery?'
'Foygeryl'
A minutes silence followed the last
sounds of the inal syllable.
Cliliia Earle stared into her fathers
eyes aghast.
He seemed to enjoy her torture.
Father she said at last, there must
be some mistake here. lie would not
stoop to the commission of crime
you may talk thus Oillia, but it
will do him no good. What he now
stands in need of is evidence that will
clear him. If you can give him this,
speak"
She did not seem to hear the last
sentence, for she was eager to say some
thing.
Come, father, tell me all about the
event, she said calmly, dropping into
the arm chair besides which she stood.
Wilfred Earle looked at his lovely
child, surprised at her callnness.
Yesterday afternoon he said, "a
check was presented at the Cosmos
Bank, and was cashed on sight. 1t
drew in my name-in my name, Clltfia
One thousand dollars, from the insti .
tuition met Mr.. Charles Lords, the
cashier last night, and III remarked the
occurrence. | was startled, and togeth.
er We proceeded to the bank, but tU
find the paper clever forgery. 1 al
once inquired concerning the bearer OF
the check, aud | was surprised to learn
it was Frank Dwight. Mr.. Lords could
not be mistaken; lie has seen the yonng
man often, and, besides, knows hinl
pretty well. At eleven last night a
warrant was issued for his arrest, anC
we found him about to board the Fair
burgh express.
lie denied the charge yehemenly, YET
refuses to explain his whereabouts al
the hour of the honoring of the forg &c
paper. Eight hundred dollars were
found on his person, and he refused tt
tell how he came into possession of sucI
a considerable amount. have just ar
rived from the preliminary eXamina,
tion. lie was released on bail, and viii
never stand trial, l believe. shOult
have committed him. Much of the
evidence against him is more than cir
cumstantial. CHINA, Frank Dwight il
a criminal in the eyes of God and man
aud he has committed one of the mean
est of crimes-forgery.
When the wealthy speculator finished
he looked at his daughter, a moment,
and then walked exctedly, but il
silence, TO the window On the pane
he drummed listlesSly until footiAl
startled him.
Clflia stood by his side.
A twain of pearly tears glistened oil
her cheeks.
Father, you are determined to prose
cute him to the bitter end, suppose
You will listen to no compromise thai
would save his honor. Even thougl
ho be innocent, and that he is, l de
clare, in the sight of Heaven, you viii
brand him forger. Why? Because yOl
hat him
Il do hate rascal; you know this
Cnnia, said the speculatOr. Il viii
listen to no compromise. shall max,