Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-09-23
A FEARFUL DANGER.

The master of Briar Hedge Farm stood
thoughtfully apart from the place where his
young cousin was laving his face and hands
at the hydrant, which had been placed in
the summer kitchen for the convenience OF
the men in the busy season.
Some unpleasant thing had happened, or
Guy Fellows frank face would not have
worn such perplexed uneasy look. At
last he said quietly:
'T wish to speak to you, Louis. -
"Yes, Guy" answered Louis in startled
tone of voice; for Guys manner was so un-
like his usual one that it foreboded trouble
of some kind, though what it could be was
a puzzle. Had he hurt himself or had his
pet colt gone lame?
''Something unpleasant has happened
Hermione's handbook is gone, and they tel
me at the bank that the money was drawn
yesterday by man who had an order pur.
porting to be signed by me-"
either the officials at the bank are very
careless, or the handwriting must have beer
a good imitation. Banks can't be much
protection to the people depositing in them,
if it is SO easy to get another persons money
out. 1t strikes me I won't patronize them
much when my ship comes in."
"Forgery is difficult to be guarded against
Louis, and the name appended to the order
is such perfect fac simils of my autograph,
that myself could not detect the difference
Is this your work ?"
AS Louis looked at the page of fools-caI
which was scribbled over with various
names, among which was that of Guy Eel
lows, he first turned red and then pale. Fol
Louis was very expert with his pen, and was
always copying specimens of peculiar hand
writing which fell in his way.
eyes, it is mine," he said with brave
effort to tell the truth, no matter what
might be the consequences.
For, like lightning flash, he realized
what danger was hanging over him-a
worse one than was the fabled sword which
had threatened Damocles in olden time, for
that only menaced life, and this, at what
did it not strike a blow?
For an instant he stood as though dazed,
looking blankly into Guy fellows troubled
face; then he threw himself impulsively up
on his knees be-ore him.
81 see now. 1t looks badly Cousin Guy,
but don't judge me by appearances; judge
me by what you know of me since we have
been together. Do you think any Que who
knew her would have band in robbing
Hermoine? No, not even if he were an ac-
complished thief, far less man whose only
wealth lies in his good nameP'
81 believe you, Louis, even in the face of
evidence which would convict you in a court
of justice. have felt all along that you
were innocent; and, see here"
As Guy Fellows spoke he held up the pa
per which had been given as an order for
the money, and let Louis compare the brief
form signed with his name with the prac-
tice-sheet, which he had acknowledged as
his work.
Then he turned, and lifting lid from the
cook stove, put the dangerous document in
and watched it catch fire, and then burn to
ashes.
Guy Fellows, although scarcely thirty
five, had already come into fine inheritance
by the death of his father.
He was a practical farmer, and also what
some people consider, a visionary one. That
is, he was always trying any new expert
ment which might commend itself as an
upon old-fashioned ways.
who had been taken under his protection
after the death Of his parents.
He had been with him now about four
years, and although somewhat dreamy and
had grown very dear to his gen.
erous kinsman.
Another inmate of the family was Her.
mione Alleyne, the orphan ward of Guy
Fellows.
She was two years younger than Louis,
but looked to be his equal in age, as he was
slender and boyish-looking, while Hermione
was Of tall and stately proportions. But
her playful ways, and merry laughing face
were still essentially child-like.
In his secret heart Louis cherished the
hope that, some time in the far future, he
might win her love when he should have at
tanned to fortune and to fame.
But Hermione was quite an heiress for a
country-bred girl, and he was too proud TO
let her know of his love unless he could
meet her upon equal grounds.
Now, had Guy been less noble in his
trusting generosity, Louis would have been
crushed to the earth with shame. AS it
was, it caused him to elevate his cousin in
to the hero of his life, and determined to
repay him.
1t was quite long time before he had
the desired chance, but it came at last.
Guy, although wealthy, did not disdain to
put his own shoulder to the wheel day after
day, and set his men good exemple.
One day in the height of the harvesting
one of the men fell i'll, and it chanced that
a stranger came to the place and asked tc
be employed about the farm.