The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-05-06

ACT lNtner mas Deen my lawyer ana my
adviser; / have been as much
at home in Merritt's house as in my own.
Pooh the thing IS impossible. Josie
never would treat me like that. ] won't
believe it,
go and ask her a straightforward
question"
81 can't. It is too late tonight, and
/ leave by the noon train to morrow. /
intended to have that matter fully un-
derstood this summer, but was in no
hurry. A love affair is all spoiled when
papa and mamma and the lawyer and
the world come into it. have told
Josie that and she and understand
one another. Will you be calling there
soon, Jonasf
81 will try, If you wish it,
''They leave town in a few days, but
call before, if you can, and send me word
If you see anything of the lieutenant. "
81 will. Lock up your secretary,
Charles; see it is still open. 1 am very
much obliged-vcry much"
''All right. You are very welcome.
am just putting ten thousand safely
away for when | need it.
Charles was much annoyed at what he
had heard, but he did not forget his Sec
retary. 1t had secret drawer, and was
capable of being fastened by three in
tricate locks. He carefully secured all
three, and then sat down to smoke and
think over again the absurdity of Josie
caring for any one but himself. In half
an hour he was satisfied that the thing
was impossible, and he rose rather wea-
rily, determined to sleep upon his faith in
her love.
As he passed the table he saw piece
OF paper that attracted him; it was Jonas
l. o. U. He had forgotten to put it
away, and il was too much trouble to
unlock the secretary again. He hesitated
a moment where to secure it, but almost
instantly selected place he considered
singularly safe, deposited it there, and
then went to bed and to sleep.
The next day he went to Newport, and
there waited impatiently the advent of
the Merritts. Before he got any letter
from Jonas, Josie herself had satisfied
him. They had charming stroll to-
gether, in which everything was talked
over, and left Charles in what he consid-
cred very happy and enviable posi-
ton.
Nothing marred the heaven of their
next two months. At the end of that
time the4reckless lover began to be in
want of funds, and as he had heard
nothing from Jonas, he determined to go
to New York and collect his l. o. U. He
had not a care on his heart about it until
he had searched his secretary again and
failed to find the paper. He lit cigar,
and sat down to think. Then he sud
denly remembered that he had found the
paper after he had locked his secretary
and that he had hid it. He even re-
membered the little laugh of delight
with which he had put it in such capi-
tai place. But what place? He could
not remember that.
The room, as said before, was the IL
brary, and the walls were covered to a
considerable height with books, the top
of the shelves being ornamented with
busts, Indian boxes, and Chinese cabi-
nets and jars. He looked behind all the
books, opened those within easy reach,
rihed the boxes and cabinets, and peeped
into all the vases. The search was con-
tinued half tkyough the night, but the
paper wasss found.
He .trif think that it was of no
conseq but somehow his heart
failed him. Early next day he went 70
the Office of Jonas Terry, and found him
there. Jonas was busy writing, but he
lifted his head with a smile, and rose
heartily to greet his friend.
Jonas, said Charles. with puzzled,
eager look, ''that /. o. U.-I have lost
it, Searched everywhere all night for it,
and can't lay my hands on it."
"What |. 0. U.q"
''The one you gave me for the ten
thousand dollars lent you in June.
After you went l sat down to think
about Josie Merritt, and when was get
ting sleepy found it on the table. 1
was too lazy to unlock my secretary
again, and 1 hid il somewhere; or else
thought hid it, and left it about, and
the servants have swept it away. How
ever / will give you an acknow' edge
ment that win cover all possible claim if
ever it should turn up. Thatwill do,
you know"
.sYou must be dreaming, Charles. l
know nothing about an l. o. u, and 1
don't at all see what you are drifting
at"
"Jonas! You could not be such a
scoundrell You are joking, OF course. "
''Alr. Day, request you to leave my
Office at once, sir. am not to be bullied
or black mailed in this way, l assure
you.
Then Charles struck the scoundrel, and
there was such an uproar of words and
blows that the police were called in, and
the affair became sufficiently public, and
indeed went into the courts. OF course
Charles got the worst Of it every way
He had no particle of evidence to show
for his claim; he was fast, fashionable,
and extravagant, while Jonas was uni
versally spoken of as ''estimable and re-
liable" Society turned the cold
shoulder toward him, and mothers for
bade their daughters to ride in his com
pany or accept him for a partner in the
dance. ''But then,n as Mrs. Merritt
shrewdly said, ''his engagement to our
Josie has Just become known"