The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-06-19

conversation had turned upon other
and Indifferent topic, II wonder where
that volume of selections from American
poetry is? Florine had it yesterday"
In her room, I suppose. Shall I
go and get it for you?"
Il wish you would"
SO L went upstairs. The door OF the
room was locked-but happened to be
the fortunate posscssor of a skeleton key
which admitted me into any room in my
honse--and without ceremony entered.
The fire burned low upon the marble
hearth--the shaded lamp cast a circle
OF r~ose-colored flame upon the little
round table drawn up beside it, where
Florine's portfolio and scattered papers
lay. What special impulse it was that
drew my attention in that direction l
cannot say-but as l looked toward it
one loose sheet of paper, slightly sep
arated from the rest, caught nv eye.
Three successive words, repeated over
and over, seemed to its eXpanse.
1t was not an honorable thing to do,
but l took it up and glanced at the
cabalistic occurrences. 1t was the name
of Charley's tirm-Ellington Il Eaton,
written again and again, in a bold, mas
cnline hand, rs unlike as possible to
Florine Fayall's struggling, semi-Italian
chirography. And vet, when I looked,
I knew that Florine Fayall was the for
ger who had been fattening On the funds
of Ellington g. Eaton.
AT the same instant I heard Florine's
light, silver-sweet laugh downstairs.
Catching the paper once more from the
pile, hurried downstairs to where my
husband and cousin, Just returned from
the concert, were standing before the
parlor fire.
"Charles," I cried. breathlessly, Il
have detected the forgery!"
Florine gave a low, involuntary cry,
and turned deathly pale, as she clutch
ed at the back Of chair for support;
but l was pitiless.
"Look!" L added to my husband, who
evidently thought Twas a little demented.
"See what 1 found in Florine Fayalrs
portfolio. She is the base, mean forg-
er! She is the backbiter who would
fain hide her crime beneath anotner's
downfall! Speak, girl! is this your
work."
And held up the mute witness OF he,
guilt.
Florine burst into tears.
II couldn't help it," she sobbed. 81
needed money so much; was in debt
everywhere, at st. Augustine, and they
threatened to send officers north to an
rest me if | did not send remittances at
once. And l was always good at mi
tating other peoples handwriting, and !
knew Cousin Charley's signature well,
and-and- never thought it would be
found out! Don't be harsh with me,
Charley! don't let Alice look at me so!
She never had any charity for me-"
"Charity!" repeated, bitterly. "Was
it Christian charity, think you, Florine
Fayall, for you to try to shift the blame
upon an orphan boy like Willie Akin %
II hated him because he was your
brother" Florine answered, sullenly,
as she read in Charles pale, shocked
face that there was no hope of interior
ence in her favor in that quarter. 81
hate you?"
"Florine." sternly interposed my
husband, "let there be no more of this.
My eyes are opened at last, and + must
confess that Alice's instinct was more to
be trusted than my reason. You are
a women, and my cousin, therefore ]
shall not prosecute you on account of
this disgraceful business. But one
thing have to say / can no longer har-
Dor such a serpent in my home. You
must leave this place Tomorrow"
But" ~whimpered Florine, "where
am l to go?"
"To-France, for what I care" re-
sponded Charles, with very unnecessary
emphasis.
And the next day Florine took her
departure. Welearned afterwards from
Florida correspondents that Miss Fay
all had distinguished herself in the line
of writing other peoples names by mis-
take before she left st. Augustine.
And in the course of time we heard OF
her again as a wealthy bankers govern
ess. a lady's amanuensis, and finally
matron to an orphan asylum.
Poor Florine! she had better have
been honest in the first place. st all
events, the little family occurrence had
one good result. Charlie believed III
my instincts" most religiously after
that. And l was troubled with no more
of his relations.