The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-08-26

sAS interrupted. Ths
persons assembled
%NS%&8 = were the same as
-S&GSA before, but with
--ES&A~ the addition al
SE2 presence Of Noel
NX5 and Gwendoline, both Jasper
NS&& and Mr.. Hartwelll having in
~ sisted on their being present
W. at the revelations that were
about to be made.
The young man and the
young girl remained standing
- 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 accuse.
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
It the time Of the accident. 'our proceed
ings are such as will not admit of delay.
Mi. Gilbert Msrlowe, in addition to the
other crimes with which have charged
you and your confederate, there at your
1ide, there remains to bring home to you
sss ss fps eS g5sEB XII Sssassa @ aGd q Forge ofss
fhe name Of Thomas Alworth to draft
for eighteen thousand pounds sterling, on
the bank of Messrs. Soundman g. Gold
berg, London, eighteen years ago, the ex-
act date and circumstances of said forgery
to be hereafter specified.
Il charge that you did, with the active
completely of Mr.. Crosk, execute said
forgery in the latter's Office; that you did
then proceed to London in disguise; and!
after fraudulently securing my identi6-
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.
Giltert 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.
.Msrciful Heaven! This charge is an
awful one," groaned Noel. Father, Of
course you proclaim it false?"
'-Yes, yes; as matter of course. do!'
exclaimed the banker with an effort.
False, false, false! Preposterous!"
@If other proofs were wanting-whicb
may not be the case-the contents of this
paper would be sufficient evidence of the
3rnth 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 q piece of self
accusation .otaIIy 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
hses g = aaS white end 7 shall ai! red it."
A'o 49,, however, uegun to read,
bel>>s the banker, who had caught
glimpse of the written page as it curled
over The holders hands, bent fur for
ward, with his eyes fixed upon it, and
new hope springing into his face.
Hal" he cried. Man alive, you have
overeached yourself! Preposterous!
That is not in my handwriting, OF all! /
defy even Jasper, there, to identify it as
such on oath?"
Mr.. Hsrtwell could not but be struck
by the evident sincerity of these ex-
clamations, even from the bankers lips.
He IT once turned for en- explanation to
Jasper, who hastily arose, and looked at
HE speaks truly-this is not the paper
that was stolen from mel" he exclaimed,
in CONSERVATION. 1T appears to be q
perfect copy Of the one / was deprived
Oft has the same meaning, but it is in
An altogether different handwriting! What
sorcery is here?"
sSoicery, indeed" cried the banker,
.9ho was secretly as much mystiied as
z any one. but was, nevertheless; over
: loved at the fortunate accident that was
40 much in his favor. The only sorcery
{ in YOUR own chicanerv. Fooli tho na-
ne. is OF YOUR own lao2eatlon. I was
never the author of any such paper as
: your wiseacre Londoner hints Of"
Forpetful of the other charges that
had been preferred against him, he was
growing comparatively radiant, and
G-oak, sharing without understanding
hn new confidence, was likewise bright
eninc mp wonderfully; but theiI rejoicing
was extremely short
y can explain and rectify this apparent
mys. ery in short order, gentlemen" sud.
denly observed Miss Winford, rising, with
much disuity. The paper in your hands
il certainly not the original one. 1t is
Door COPY that l myself made. The origi
asl is here!" And she coolly produced
and handed to Mr.. Hartwel another docu
1nent, of very much the same external ap
pearance as the one which he now per
mitted 10 fall 10 the floor. Let Gllber
Marlowe deny that paper if he dare!" =.
Both Gilbert and Cloak suddenly ly col
Iapsed, the triumph fading out Of thei
faces as suddenly as it had come.
-. who and what are you?" gasped th'
banker, fixing his eyes upon the house
keeper, and sinking back with a groan.
aHa! you may we'll ask that--you ma!
seek in vain to pierce the dis6guremen
OF the face that you once found so tair
false and injurious mani" cried she, bit
terlv. know me, then, at last, for wha
] was. ! am Harriet Loop, the girl
Hithe, to whom you once pledged you
heart and hand. see you recognize M
now.