Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-11-25

Aaf as EosSlOAep Out now tnUCu lDal
would be | could not determine. They
were poor. and consequently not held
in much esteem by Mr.. Jameson.
/ also knew the secret Of Mr.. Sci.
by's influence over Mr.. Jameson. He
had not been long in San Francisco,
lived in great style. drove splendid
horses, and talked loudly of his wealth.
Such a man was the very one to i'm
press Mr.. Jameson. who, having be-
gun life as poor boy. and earned his
fortune by his own exertions, now
made money his god, and WAS ready
to bow down and worship any one
who possessed it. There had been va
rious discreditable stories atsoat ia re-
gard to. Selby. but nothing positive
enough TO Convince Mr.. Jamesou,
So this was my position on the af-
ternoon of the twenty-sixth. Little
wonder that my good landlady con.
cluded that had something on my
mind
Suddenly the doorbell rang a furi.
Gus peal; quick steps were heard on
the stairs, and loud rap sounded on
my door.
Let me in, Harry cried familiar
voice, and as l turned the KEY, in
rushed Dick Halsted.
How can you stay here ? he ex.
claimed. when the whole city is in
such excitement Haven't YOU heardr
he went on, in answer to my look Of
inquiry. Why, man. the Bank Of
California has stopped payment, 1t
Is said that there is an official an
nouhcement that it will not 20 at all,
and if that is the case, half the firms
in the city will fail. Come out, and
hear for vourSy.f%
| seized my hat, and dashed down
stairs. conscious Of only one thought.
lfthe Bank OF fCali:ornia had filled, Mr..
jameson was rained, as his entire for
tune Was invested in the mining stocks
controlled by the bank, which Of course
would now sink to a mere cipher, and
what effect would this have Oh Seibv?
The city was, as Dick had said, in
great excitement. California Street
was filed with dense crowd on eth
'er side Of the bank. Every emotion
was AanictaA in tho nnnnt0nances bv
which we were surrounded, from idle
curiosity TO perfect agony. We had
pushed through the crowd nearly to
tue bank, when ! saw u man come
reeling along, as though almost una
bic to walk. In an instant perceiv,
ell that it was Mr.. Jameson. Fearful
of repulse, if offered the assistance
he so evidently required, and yet un
"liiihS, ioI NSIl!e sdhe, " 4el NIEu
pass unailed, | hesitated for mo-
ment what course 10 pursue, when to
my relief | saw that he was making
for SeIby, who stood near
All the better, thought |, the Bit
ter feelings returning at sight Of the
two. 4 want nothing to do with eth
er, and was passing along with Dick,
when sudden exclamation fell upon
my ear. 1t was from Mr.. Jameson,
who, uuheeding ne, or the crowd, was
talking earnestly o-Se!by.
All gone he was saying. / tell
you, Se!ty, the property it has taken
me life time to accumulate, will all
be gone, if this is true.'
glanced at Selby. His face grew
white. Well, SIR he said, coldly.
i sincerely regret your i'll fortune;
and turned to depart without another
word.
lpl.ced my hand on his shoulder
10 rouse him. Listen to me, Mr..
Jameson, | said. i have a home,
which prepared when thought to
gain your consent to my marriage
with Nellie. 1t is not grand and
luxurious like yours, but neat and
comfortable. Let me marry Nellie,
and her home shall be yours. have
enough to support us all, and will
most gladly do so. You have seen for
yourself now much Selby is to be de-
pended upon.
L can tell you plenty about him,
put in Dick. drawing some letters
from his pocket. Finding he was
likely to be in your way, Harry, |
wrote to some friends of mine, whose
names l had heard HIM mention, and
the replies came to day. You will
see there is proof Of his being swim
dler, and not much douot that he is a
forger.
Mr.. Jameson read the letters in
silence, aud when he had finished, ex-
claimed in a voice so unlike the POM
pous tones in which he generally spoke
that ] scarce recognized it:
II hal;ava n ALL He would have