The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-30
THE DAILY STAR
WON BY FRAUD.

All Ln6 NlHeteeH YEARS VI ucl luc-
ever since she was an infant in fact
Annette Raymond had felt a strange an
tipathy for Mr.. George Wortley, her
fathers partner in business
There existed no tangible reason for
this feeling, and Annette had tried very
hard to overcome it. but without sue
cess.
Mr.. Wortley was handsome man,
suave, gentlemanly, well educated, and q
fayorite with the ladies.
He was forty years Of age now, and
owned the finest house, to say nothing
of the blooded horses, the elegant car
riages, and the rare collection Of paint
ings.
A year previous to the time Of which
l write, Annette Raymond's father had
died, and her brother Edward had been
received into his place as partner with
Mr.. Wortley.
They employed great many clerks.
Among them, and trusted quite as
much as any person, was Lester Arnold,
Annette's betrothed lover.
Arnold was poor, but his family had
been one of the best in the city, and the
young mans individual talents and &C
quirements were quite sufficient to make
him acceptable to girl of Annette's
strong common sense.
She loved him we'll enough to be will
ing to risk the life Of poor mans wife,
and he loved her we'll enough to be will
ing to work to make her home.
Annette trusted Lester perfectly, and
feeling sure of his love, her heart asked
for nothing more.
In two months they were to be mar
ried, and begin the, new life to which
they looked forward with eyes unclouded
by single apprehension.
One morning about month before
the day set for the marriage, Annette
was arranging bouquet of mignonette
and moss roses which Lester had just
brought her, when q servant brought up
Mr.. George Wortley's card.
Mr.. Wortley was stroking his hand
some beard and leaning his elbow on the
mantel when she entered the room,
His usual ruddy face wasslightly pale,
but Annette did not feel sufficient inter
est in him to observe it. "a.
After the casual morning greetings he
came straight to her side, and took her
hand.
"My dear Miss Raymond" said he,
drawing her to the sofa, "will you please
be seated? Ihave a somewhat painful
revelation to make to you"
Wondering, yet not very anxious over
any thing that Mr.. Wortley might have
to say, she took the seat he indicated,
but he would not suffer her to withdraw
the hand he had taken.
"Miss Raymond, before I breathe a
word of what | have to say must have
your promise that you will keep it a
secret. As, Of course, il you value his
safety, you will be only too glad to do"
"Whose safetyw she asked haughtily.
"Mr. Lester Arnold's."
She crimsoned to the temples.
"Will you tell me what you mean,
sir?''
"when you have promised to be
silent"
She bowed her head.
81 will not mention what you tell me,
Mr.. Wortley." -. .a
"Very well, your promise is as good as
your oath. Lester Arnold has forged the
name of our firm, and"
"It is false!" she cried, indignantly,
springing to her feet, and standing be-
fore him with flaming cheeks and eyes
like stars.
81 wish it were," he said, sadly. IT
should be five thousand pounds richer,
for he has drawn just that amount out
of nay pocket. You had best listen to me
calmly, Miss Raymond, and be satisfied
that can prove what say"
And like one under the influence Of a
horrible nightmare, she listened while in
his calm, business way, he told her the
story.
The evidence against Lester Arnold
was perfect.
Hard as she tried to disbelieve the
charge, reason forced her to acknowledge
that there was no mistake.
What she felt-what she suffered
can not describe to you, but she was a
proud, high-spirited woman, and she
gave little outward sign of the anguish
within.
SWELL" she said, when he had finished,
"what will you do3 You will not pro.
ceed against himf'
'The law must take its course, Miss
Raymond"
"Nol You say that you only know of
Ghis-this-" she hesitated over the
"irregularity, and you asked me
to- keep it secret. Surely you intend to
save him."
"You can save him, if YOU like. 1t is
FOR that have come to you."
81 will do all / can, in memory of
what has been," she said; outwardly a
woman of ice, but SO sick and dizzy that
she thought for moment she was dy-
ing. 81 will sacrifice my private income;
! will sell my jewels-anything to save
him."
"And will you marry him atterwardT'
he asked. eagerly.
"Si, the Raymonds are an honorable
family. l would marry no man who
could commit crime"
"SDokpn Ike frua-haartad Woponf 7