Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-11-30
NEW SERIES.-VOL. II, NO. 25.

"Charleyl You here?" she cried
in astonishment; for Charley haC
been called away for two days. plead
ing business; but called away, sht
supposed, by Philip, tffat he NIGH
not discover her intended flight.
Hush, Cleol Don't wake mother,
he replied, in low tone. "I haze
something terrible to tell you. Come
ont here"
In moment she stood beside him
HAS anyth ng happened?" she
faltered. "Is Phillip"
Charley did not seem to notice
what she said; did not appear tc
think OF the strangencss of Ler being
robed in hat and water-p proof at that
hour. His fair boyish face was like
death. and his voice hoarso with
emotion.
II have come to bid you good bye
Cleo" he cried; and the boy, for he
was only a boy, hardly seventeen,
shrew his arm round his sisters neck,
and clung to her.
"You don't know what have done,
Cleo. But will not live to be de-
spised, Stunned. imprisoned-to see
my name in the papers rs a forger.
I will never live TO see 1t. 1 was
going to drown my fife and my dis
grace down there in the water to-
night; but-but / wanted to see yon,
to tell you how it was. Mother would
never forgive me; never show me
any mercy or pity, I know; but
wanted you to know that was not
so guilty as I seem to be. He led me
into 1t, got me in his debt. And then
it was only for fifty dollars when /
wrote 1t. He changed it himself to
five hundred
"Hc? Who?" gaspeJ his sister,
her heart sinking. "Tell me all about
1T, Charley, and then 1 can see what
can be DONE"
@Therc can be rothing done, only
for mo to die"
"Husb. Charleyi" and Cleo clung
to his cold hands, ne IL the river of
death was already washing to his feet,
and her weak hands could hold him
back from it. "Tell me the whole
story. and then I will find way to
help you"
And at last, though his talk was
broken often by wild words OF terror.
and renorsc, and regret, Cleo learned
the truth.
Charley had n wonderful gift OF
penmanship. He could cory any
writing so as to puzzle an expert.
And it was In Raph Bryan's room, ono
day. a few days before his return to
New York. that Charley. cnrelessly
taking up Ralph's pen, began to show
off his wonderful talent In that dircc-
ton. Ralph had just received let
ter from his employers, asking him
to return upon such day. and the
letter lay open on the table, signed
by the business name OF the firm, In
the bold handwriting OF the senior
partner. In few minutes Charley
showed him a c-simile OF the writ
ing. so strikingly like the original.
that Ralp was delighted, He saidfo
Charley. @If that was signed now. to
n check for five hundred dollars, it
would be something worth while.
And from that moment no gave
Charley no peace. He was in debt
to Bryan. and had no means to pay,
and Bryan threatened to- 60 to his
mother. aud tell her the whole story
OF his misdoings, and disgrace him
forever in Claythorpe. As for Bryan
himself. he was in debt to everybody.
And, finally, one day, when Charley
was moro than Northumberland, and
half-driven to desperation by Bryan's
threats OF exposure, he wrote the
name OF Mr.. Willis. the elder Of
Ralpl's employers, upon che,k for
fifty dollars. No more than that, rs
he solcmnly declared. But Bryan
had changed it afterward to five hun
dred. They obtained the money
without any difficulty. Afterward.
Charley had q recollection OF asking
Bryan IL the cashier at the bank didn't
give him more than fifty dollars.
Bryan had replied that the cashier
had made a mistake, and handed him
more. "But we should be fools in
decd, il we rectified it," he said
Banks never do, and why should
we?"
They paid their debts OF honor, or
rather dishonor, and then made a
night OF it. The next day Ralph re-
turned to New York. Two days after,
the check, unexpectedly, was returned
to New York, earlier than Ralph had
supposed. The forgery was discovered
and the guilty parties traced, and
Ralph absconded.
Charley, in consequence. had re-
ceivcd letter from Mr.. Willis, tell
ing him that his crime was known,
and bidding him to come to New York
at once.
Il will defer all talk OF justice and
punishment" the letter concluded,
until I see you"
Il cant go, Cleo. I will not meet
him. 1 cannot" With these despair
ing words, Charley ended the wretch
eel story.
"But won't it be best? When he
sees how young you are"
"Neverl Cleo, will never go!'
"Then must"
"You, Clco?"
"Yesl"
Charley looked at her in amaze
ment.
How could you go, Cleo? You
were never from home in your life.
What could you do alone, In that
great city? mol 1 am not worth the
trouble. Let me die. aud end 1t all !;
then vou will he rid OF me-