Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-08-10

hung, and deserved ii too. What would
| Molly say II she knew she was engaged to
thief? and how long would it be before
she found 1t out2
The cold sweat stood all over me as
asked myself that question. But all my
conjuring over 1t. and pounding my brains
for some wsy to get out OF the scrspe, on
ly made things more Of q muddle. I'd
have slammed sick, and stayed away from
| the office for day or two, If had dared.
| But | had sense enough to see that
wouldn't answer. So ] kept to work as
well as l could, and nothing particular
for the next three days. There was plenty
Of talk Of course, and Higgi inson came In
very jolly one morning because Mr.. Black
lock had paid Meriweather out Of his own
pocket for the stolen check.
Went against the grain, you bet,' said
'"G GSSoSllee II Course. Du. nc 80, n.s.., :.
about it. Higginson answered. Told
Meriweather he'd get it back all in good
time. Had his eyes open, and knew which
way to look
Lord. I'm glad II aln't this way said
Joe. with his hearty laugh. I'D as soon
have q bloodhound after me as Blackjack
1t was cheerful for me to listen to. But
l kept straight face. and asked myself
how could he know which way to look
iat NC Sot hciu VI uit VI NY WiuibSs a'iu
compared 1t with the writing on the check
Had anybody watched me at the bank, and
given him a clew? Had George Meriweath-
er himself suspected me, and set him on
the track? A dozen possibilities came Into
my mind, and made me half crazy.
But nothing came OF IL all till Saturday.
when had to go over to the comptroiler's
Office with bundle OF old vouchers that
had to be hauled over the Goals again. 1t
wasn't my place to attend 70 such things,
but they put it on me because happened
not to be busy just then; and of course
couldn't refuse to go, little as liked the
job. There was one thing about it though;
1t would give me the chance to get look
at Mr.. Blackjack again. aud thought
could tell something by his face as to
whether he suspected me or not. Ii he
didn't take any particular notice OF me,
why. then I'd feel a little easier in my
mind.
lie was writing at his desk when | came
up with my bundle and didn't seem to see
me til! pu. 1t under his nose. Then he
stated up. sharp rs a knife.
WHATS thatg
Those vouchers OF Willoughbv Brothers,
and the Perrine contract. You know what
to do with them. Mr.. Thrall says
All right. Leave 'em there. he said.
Aud | was turning away. glad enough to
,W,i, a ninm,s r. son.,hiri, 70 s.r
IN van now ,hinL of ynn,r. l., the
office are your
Yes. sir.
And your name is-T
John Stebbins,' (trying to look as un-
concerned as could, but you can guess il
.I,h, S,.hhi,,., H. III ;,h
o,..r ri,d of lnot r.. ia, ia va,'
,l,,vs 90 hv,
IN s1r No., noo,l,. call mn. I,cr.
a,s,ynred !, M -, h,md CO.., d,i''a NJ,
h,.s, moi ~ ioor sr.r.d '" '
.,h irdcrdi And noh,1, nc o,,. .c,.,.
denf ,yer caiis vn,,LG Gso,Gs W.r;,c,,,ser
f,r Instance
No sir ,h.v don,,,
Hn, M, 80. shn,x In .rt,. -, .. .,d
do ~, ~, IcnnI,,n', halr d-nrnin,' u,,.
.,,.. hsfnrs ,h,. In"t !, TX ,I,, .,,,o ~ ~
az, r;,,h, hmm ,'..
.ya,,ro mir. suro ~. xa,, ~, .n.atj,,,
vary Iny .ibat Jnhn Stahhins or J,ct
H. ali ,h, s.me-is vo,,r real n.,n.2,
Yes, Il isl said, dorgedIy. ANA
don't know what Won are driving .t Mr.
Blackjack
III show YOU, And he took ont a sIin
OF psper from an inside pocket. and laii il
Hat on the desk befoie me II was the
check with the false signature: and AL
got sight of the name | had written the
room aud everything in II seemed to sp,n
round me. TWAS all could do To Lr.n
from staggering. L was that sick and dizzy:
but still | tried TO put bold face on il.
who signed that check he asked.
And 1 answered:
George Meriweather. suppose. What
do know about its
You know enough about il to send YOU
to Sing Sing he said, very quietly. foldino
up tae paper and putting il back in his
pocket. And know all that's necessary
for NV purposes. You can 20 back 10
your ONCE, MIR. Stebbins.'
tie began To write again, as il he had
nothing more 10 saw. But | didn't oo
Mr.. Blackjack. You've said very hard
thing To me. think I've got a right TO ask
what you mean by it, began. for had to
make an effort, though knew IL was Mi
up with me
He turned upon me with a sayaye look.
See here. sir; don't propose TO vast.
words with YOU. nor TO piye Won any m
necessary information I've a good mem
ory for faces aud voices; aud YOU know as
well As do why I'm likely to remember
yours Don't make a bad matter worse
for yourself by pretending not to know
began to see that had no chance at
L
mered out something about being allowed
to explain. But he shut me up shortly.
Il don's want apy OF YOUR explanations.
and don't ask YOU apy questions. You've
got Just one chance to keep out of iail. and
I wouldn't give you that ifI didn't see
some excuse for Won in the way tbino,
have gone lately
Things have gone deuced hard for hon.
est men lately,' said. bitterly.
But that's no excuse for honest men
turning rogues.' he answered back. sAnd
honest men don't. [ sban't parley with
YOU about that however. Yonr one chance
Is to bring me seventv.nve dollars week
from TODAY. Ifyou don,t Won know the
consequences. and | know where to find
you.'
Somebody came nm tn sneak to him. and
l walked out without answerIno. but II ev-
er a1y whipped dog felt neaner. I'm sorry
for him. il took me some time to remem.
Der that things weren't AS bad as they might
have been. / mioht have heen exnosed a,
a thief and arrested hrt,,,,. ali ths prrtle.
,nan In tha ofy,os hn, NJ. ptaai,oaL haa