Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-09-16
The Bitter End.

Herbert Wallis was mo man enemy but
his ewn;" at least so people said, till the
final catastrophe came. Then they discov
cred that his extravaganza was vicious
ness, his free open-heartedneSs hypocrisy.
He was one of those unfortunates who can
never say ''no." When fellow clerk IN
the Government Office, in which he was an
employe, 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, tast-living young
man, without private means and without
strength of character, may consider him on
the high road 10 ruin. SO it proved with
our hero. In the course of few years he
became so inextricably involved that he
forged a senior clerk name to a note at
three months, hoping, nay believing, like
Micawber, that something would turn
up to enable him to meet it 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 i'll the
outskirts of the city.
Mrs. Roberts was quite untitled for her
position, being too generous and lady-like
TO feel her boarders on hash and bread pud-
ding, and too deLcately minded to remind
them of their board money being overdue.
She and Herbert mother had been school
fellows, and the latter recommended her
son to the widows care when he first came
To the city to enter upon his official duties
and be had since resided with them. She
sanctioned the engagement to her daughter,
wheL 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 lnGeed, his
errors were more of the head than heart !;
and had he possessed one strong, true and
faithful friend, cognlzant of the worlds
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 ''turn up" system to
pull him through somehow.
On Monday morning the money must be
paid, and 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
trembled and how his voice shook, and that
he had never kissed her 50 passiOnately as
he did that night upon retiring TO rest.
The morning came. Herbert, hoping
still, but for what he scarcely knew, went
TO the Office. How he trembled when he
met the cool and quiet gaze of his senior,
Mr.. Hepburn, the man whose signature he
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 it 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 dollarsT"
p 81 am not, slr. have been expecting
to receive remittance from home, but
have been disappointed. If you will be
good enough to wait few days"
'My employer cannot wait; you have so
often deceived him. 1t was MIR. Hepburn s
name alone that induced him to loan you
this money, as you cannot or will not pay,
why, must apply to him."
'tFor Gods sake, spare me!'
"Spare you! Why 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 tC
speedy conclusion. Mr.. Hepburn, OF
course, denied that the signature was his,
and Herbert Wallis was arrested for for
gerry.
The grief of Elsie Is not to be described
but it is an old, old story. She did not die
or go mad; as some wives and sweetheartF
have done, even recently, when their deal
ones have been condemned to State Prison
as Herbert Wallis was for term of fvt
wears with hard labor.
Perhaps her mothers trouble diverted he
thoughts from her own. for the poor widow
was herself involved in debt and difficultie
through her kind-heartedness, and her in
ability to dun those who had brought he
| into trouble.
As for Herbert, once the blow struck thl