The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-16
The Bitter End.

w
his ewn;" at least 80 people said, till the
final catastrophe came. Then they discov-
cred that his extravaganza was vicious
ness, his free open-heartcdness hypocrisy
lie was ono of those unfOrtunates who can
never say 'no." When fellow clerk In
the Government office, in which he was an
employc, asked him to indorse a promis-
sorry note for 5000, he was not the man to
refuse him. Once in the clutches of the
vampire bill dlscounters, a fast-living young
man, without private means and without
strength of character, may consider him on
the "high road to ruin" So 1t proved with
our hero. In the course of few years he
became 50 inextricably involved that he
forged senior clerks nanlc to a note ut
three months, hoping, nay believing, like
Micawber, that something would "turn
up" to enable him to meet 1t when 1t be-
came due.
Elsie Roberts loved Herbert with all her
heart and soul. She was gentle, fair, true
hearted girl, residing with her widowed
mother, who kept boarding house III the
outskirts of the city.
Mrs. Roberts was quite untitled for her
position, beng too generous and lady-like
TO feel her bearders on hash and bread. pud-
ding, and too dellcately minded to remind
them Of their board money being overdue.
She and Hcrbert's mother had been school
fellows, and the latter recommended her
son TO the widows care when he first came
lo the city to enter upon his official duties :;
and be had since resided with them She
sanctioned the engagement to her daughter,
wheh it became evident that the young peo-
pie loved each other, and already locked
upon him as her own son, being as blind to
his faults as Elsie herself was. Indccd, his
errors were more of the head than heart :;
and had he possessed one strong, true and
faithful friend, cognlzant of the world 3
ways, this sketch need never have been
written.
Herbert himself was not aware how
strong his love was for Elsie till the fatal
hour drew near when the note must be paid
or he himself be proclaimed forger and a
felon Then, indeed, when too late, his
eyes were opened and he saw the folly and
Sin of the gay and reckless life he had been
leading. But even at the last he lacked
the courage to consult with these, his best
friends, as to the wisest course to pursue,
but still trusted to the 'tHrn up" system to
pull him through ''somehow."
On MondaY.-morning the money must be
paid, ard"he remained at home with his
friends all day Sunday till evening church.
What were his feelings, his thoughts, as
Elsie and he held the hymnbook between
them2 Even she noticed how his hand
irembled and how his voice shook, and that
he had never kissed her 50 passionatey as
he did that night upon retiring to rest.
The morning came. Herbert, hoping
still, but for what he scarcely knew, went
10 the office. How he trembled when he
met the cool and quiet gaze of his senior,
Mr.. Hepburn, tho man whose signature no
had forged. He tried in vain to do his Or
dinary work. Every time the door opened
he started and cold shiver went through
him, and 1t was really almost relief when,
after knocking, a man entered, saying, MIR
Wallis"
.'Sir."
care you prepared to meet this prcmis-
sorry note for three hundred doll,s7"
~ am not, Sir. have been expecting
to receive a remittance from home, but
have been disappointed. If You will be
good enough TO whit few days"
my employer cannot wait; you have 80
often deceived him. 1t was Dir. Hepburn's
name alono that induced him to loan you
this money, as you cannot or will not pay,
why, must apply to him."
''for G0d's sake, spare me!'
"Spare you'll Whyl Is anything wrong ?
You have not surely"
The man looked keenly at Wallis as
the latter, covering his face with his hands,
burst into tears.
We will bring the first part of our tale to
a speedy conclusion. Mr.. Hepburn, of
course, denied that the signature was his,
and Herbert Wallis was arrested for for
gerry.
The grief of Elsie ,s not to be described ;
but 1t Is an old, old story. She did not die
or 60 mad; as sonlo wives and swcethearta
have done, even recently, when their dear
ones have been condemned TO State Prison,
as Herbert Wallis was for term of Ave
wears with hard labor.
Perhaps her mother trouble diverted her
thoughts from her own. for the poor widow
was herself involved In debt md difficulties
through her kind-heartedncss, and her in
ability to dun those who had brought heI
into trouble.
Az for Herbert, once the blow struck, the
axe fallen, his carelessness returned to him