Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-06-26

near the door, while the rest
maintained about the same relative posi-
tions in the room as at first; that is, with
the banker and Croak sitting side by side
somewhat apart, and facing the accusa-
tory line of seats, as may be denominated
those occupied by the London LAWYER.
Jasper and his wife, Mr.. Dalhousie and
Miss Winford.
Painful and remarkable as has been
this interruption, said Mr.. Hartwell,
slowly rising and reproducing the paper
which he had been in the act of reading
ut the time of the accident, @our proceed
ings are such as will not admit Of DELAY.
Mr.. Gilbert Marlowe, in addition to the
other crimes with which I have charged
you and your confederate, there at your
side, there remains to bring home to you
yet another and graver charge of much
older date. l charge that you did forge
the name of Thomas Alworth to draft
Tor eighteen thousand pounds sterling, on
the bank of Messrs. Soundman & Gold
berg, London, eighteen years ago, the ex-
act date and circumstances of said forgery
to be hereafter specified.
I charge that you did, with the active
completely of Mr.. Croak, execute said
forgery in the latter's office; that you did
then proceed to London in disguise; and
after fraudulently securing my identifi-
cation of you as Thomas Alworth at said
bank, that you did then and there obtain
and appropriate to your own use the said
sum of eighteen thousand pounds; to the
total impoverishment Of said Thomas AL
worth, whom you have since that time
cruelty and persistently misused."
He came to pause. Both Noel and
Gwendoline seemed thunderstruck.
Gilbert Marlowe and Croak still re-
tanned the outward appearance of self
possession, though the former was drip
ping with perspiration, and he had al
most despaired from the moment of JAS
per's receiving the paper from Dip.
"Merciful Heaven! This charge is an
awful one, groaned Noel. Father, of
course you proclaim it false?"
Yes, yes; as matter of course, dol"
exclaimed the banker with an effort.
False, false, false Preposterous!"
"If other proofs were wanting which
may not be the case-the contents of this
paper would be sufficient evidence of the
truth of what charge" continued Mr..
Hartwell, unfolding the paper. 1T is
IN your own handwriting, sir; it bears
your own signature; it is full confess
sion Of your own guilt and that of your
partner in the crime charged The panic
stricken haste, the false sense of security,
the infatuation, or the delirium that in
duced you to execute and place in the
hands of another, such piece of self
accusation as this, is totally beyond my
comprehension. Its origin can only be
explained, if at all, by reference to that
blind fatality, which seems SO often to
wait on evil deeds, and to eventually un-
fold the perpetrators to their own undoing.
It is, nevertheless, here before us. in
black and white; and shall read it"
He had hardly, however, begun to read,
before the banker, who had caught a
glimpse of the written page as it curled
oyer the holders hands, bent far for
ward, with his eyes fixed upon it, and
new hope springing into his face.
@Hal" he cried. Man alive, you have
overreached yourselfl Preposterous!
That is not in my handwriting, at all!
defy even Jasper, there, to identify it as
such on oath?p
Mr.. Hartwell could not but be struck
plantations, even from the bankers lips.
He at once turned for an explanation to
Jasper, who hastily arose, and looked at
the paper.
4Hs speaks truly-this is not the paper
that was stolan from mel" he exclaimed,
in Consideration. 1T appears to be
perfect copy Of the one was deprived
Oft has the same meaning, but it is in
m altogether different handwriting! What
Eor0ery Is here?"
.Sorcery, indeed" cried the banker,
who was secretly as much mystified as
any one, but was, nevertheless, over
joyed at the fortunate accident that was
so much in his favor. The only sorcery
is in your own chicanery. Fool! the pa
per Is of your own fabrication. was
never the author of any such paper as
your wiseacre Londoner hints Of"
\, F0rgetful Of the other charges that
had been preferred against him, he was
growing comparatively radiant, and
Croak, sharing without understanding
his new confidence, was likewise bright
ening up wonderfully; but their rejoicing
was extremely short lived.
i can explain and rectify this apparent
mystery in short order, gentlemen, sud-
denly observed Miss Win lord, arising, with
much dignity. The paper ii your hands
sis certainly not the or ginhl one. It is a
poor copy that myself made. The origi-
nal is herel And she coolly produced
and handed to Mr. Hartwell another docu-