Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-07-13


Dcvens,- cam quietly. "Xou naa a
disagrecable fall last night--throuQh an
insecure grating-and they brought you
here and sent for me; but you're all
right now, and by and by We will get
you round to your own place."
He put tremulous hand up TO his
head.
II don't remember" he muttered
fcebly. II remember nothing. What
Is tho timer
"Nearly o o'clock--there, It Is striking
now"
"And I have been In faint all the
night through"
"No; you have been asleep"
"Asleep? Not all tho time, surelyi
Have Pa sudden fear showed itself in
his glance as the idea occurred to him
''havo I been wandering In my mind3
Have I been delirious? And did they
send for you to hear what was talking
aboutT
"No," I answered at once, trying hard
to speak In way that would carry con-
viction to his understanding; "the land
lord-Mr. Benson--sent for me because
ho did not know where you lived,
and
"Benson!" he exclaimed, suddenly
putting his hand out to feel for mine.
"Are wo at the Grown and Thistle'2"
nodded, for sooner or later he must
know, and there was nothing TO gain by
making mystery Of It.
He sank back upon the pillow, breath
Ing with hurried gasps, his eyes fixed
with a painful expression Of terror upon
mc.
Don't put yourself out about an ything
there's good fellowl" said soothing.
ly. "You see, you were nearer here
Than any other public house when you
fell, SO they brought you in. Wen soon
get you away IL you don't like the
place.
"It's not that" he whispered; zone
place is rs good as another to me now. l
was frightened-just at first--at the
thought OF your being here. In Benson's
house; but 1t does not really matter
much. fancy I'm about done, sir; and
fancy, too, that you know more than
you seem to-"
He paused and looked at mo steadily.
The terror had left his glance now; he
seemed anxious only to know what was
passing In my mind.
What was / to do? My whole being
ycarned passionately to know the truth
that l saw trembling on his lips. Would
1t be harmful TO him to speak? Won
dered. He at last relieved me from my
painful indecision by saying quietly:
tsIt Ia nc I tbn,,0bk To-. lot vol -,
self, or Benson has betrayed me. Idon't
think I'm sorry, though. Would you
like to hear how it happened, sir?"
"If you don't think it will do you
harm to tell me-" / answered, trying my
utmost to keep my desperate anxiety out
Of sight.
"No; it won't harm me. Tn too near
my end for that. ! have a conviction
on me that am about done for, and l
should like to tell you all about that ter
rible mistake of mine. Might l have
something to moisten my throat before
l begin, sirT'
/ mixed him some weak brandy and
water and gave 1t to him, for which he
thanked me very humbly.
"You were always q considerate man."
he said, as took tho glass from his
shaking hands; land the thought Of
many n past kindness makes it all the
harder to say what have to. You have
found out somehow that it was who
took the cheque, but you don't know
your"
Heavens. how wildly my heart beat
with joy as I heard the words that
cleared tho guilt from Cynthia's name!
But still contrived to speak quietly, as
] told him he was right-that could
form no idea how he managed to secure
the cheque.
"Do you remember being in violent
hurry that evening"" he asked. "You had
n heap of letters brought to sign-letters
for tho Australian maitland you had an
important dinner to attend. While you
were signing the letters came in and
told you some one had called fora cheque
you had promised to some charity. Can't
you recollect how you fumed at the in
terruption, and how you snatched up
your cheque book, filled in cheque,
tore it out and passed it to mo without
even blotting tho writing2"
nodded in assent, and as he spoke I
recalled every trfling incident he men-
toned.
"That was where tho mischief came
in, Mr., Quinton. If you had turned the
cheque over to blot it you would have
seen what you had done. You tore two
cheques out instead of one, and you pass
ed them both to me together"
Was it possible? Had all this cruel
trouble come about through such sim
pie mishap as this? ! sat looking at him,
dumb with amazcment ! must have
looked almost incredulous, for he went
on again with increased eagerness.
'lt is heavens truth l am telling you,
Mr.. Quinton! You cannot disbelieve the
word of dying mani"
"No, no." cried; ~ do not disbelieve
you-it is the simplicity of the thing that
seems so wonderful to me-"
"Yes; it was simple cnough-fatally
simple-for, II the temptation had not
been put into my very hand, and then
further strengthened by what followed,
lmight have been a hearty and an honest
man today, instead Of the wreck, soul
and body, that am. Do you remember
how early you came into the office the
next morning."
"Quite we'll"
"And do you remember, too, that
young Debenham came into the Office
before had said more than good morn
ing to you? Well, l had the blank
cheque in my pocket to give to you; and
Twas going to follow you into your room
to tell you what you had done and to beg
you to be more careful for the future,
when you anticipated me by telling De-
benham you wanted to speak to him,
and going into your private room with
him. Tho moment he came out / went