The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-06-17
HERMIONE,
ny MARY E. MoFFAT,

The master of Briar Hedge Farm stood
thoughtfully apart from the place where
his young cousin was laving his face and
hands at the hydrant, which had been
placed in the summer kitchen for the
convenience of the men in the busy sea-
son.
Some unpleasant thing had happened,
or Guy Fellowss frank face would not
have worn such perplexed, uneasy
look, At last he said, quietly;
81 wish to speak to you, Lcuis."
"Yes, Guy" answered Louis, in n
startled voice; for Guys manner was so
unlike his usual one that it foreboded
trouble of some kind, though what it
could be was a puzzle. Had ho hurt
himseli4 or had his pet colt gone lamel
Something unpleasant has happened.
Hermione's bank book is gone, and they
tell me, at the bank, that the money
was drawn yesterday by man who had
an order purporting to be signed by
me-"
''Either the officials at the bank are
very careless, or the handwriting must
have been a good imitation. Banks
can't be much protection to the people
depositing in them, if it is so easy to
get another persons money out. 1t
strikes me | won't patronze them much
when my ship comes in."
''Forgery is difficult to be guarded
against, Louis,a the name appended to
the order is such a perfect facsimile of my
autograph that | myself could not detect
the difference. Is this your work9"
AS Louis looked at the page of foolscap
which was held toward him, and which
was scribbled over with various names,
among which was that of Guy Fellows,
he first turn red and then pale. For
Lolis was very expert with his pen, and
was always copying specimens of
peculiar handwriting which fell in his
way.
"ies, it is mine" he said with a
brave effort to tell the truth, no matter
what might be the consequences. For
like n lightning flash he realized what
danger was hanging over mm-a worse
one than was the tabled sword which
had threatened Damocles in olden time,
for that only menaced life, and this, at
what did it not strike blow2 For an
instant he stood as though dazed, look
ing blanlIly into Guy Fellows's troubled
face; then he threw himself impulsively
upon his knees before him.
81 see now. 1t looks badly, Cousin
Guy, but don't judge me by appearances
Judge me by what you know of me
since we have been together. Do you
think any one who knew her would
have hand in robbing Hermoineg No,
not even if he were an accomplished
thief, far less man whose only wealth
lies in his good name!"
81 believe you, Louis, even in the
face of evidence which would convict
you In court of justice. l have felt all
along that you were innocent; and, see
here"
As Guy Fellows spoke he held up the
paper which had been given as an order
for the money, and let Louis compare the
brief form signed with his name with
the practice-sheet which he had ac
knowledged as his work. Then he turned
and lifting lid from the cook stove, nut
the dangerous document in and watched
II catch fire and then burn to ashes.
Guy Fellows, although scarcely thirty
five, had already come into a fine inher-
itance by the death of his father. He was
a practical farmer, and also what some
people consider a visionary one. That
Is, he was always trying any new expert
ment which might commend itself as an
Improvement upon old fashioned ways.
Louis Carmichael was second cousin.
who had been taken under his protec-
ton after the death of his parents. He
had been with him now about four years,
and although somewhat dreamy aud un-
practical, had grown very dear to his
generous kinsman.
Another inmate of the family was
Hermoine Alleyne, the orphan ward of
Guy Fellows. She was two wears
younger than Louis, but looked to be
his equal in age, as he was slender and
boyish-looking, while Hermione was of
tall and stately proportions. But her
playful ways, and merry. laughing face
were still essentially child-hke.
In his secret heart Louis cherished the
the hope that, some time in the far
future, he might win her love, when he
should hgve attained to fortune and
fame. But Hermione was quite an
heiress for a country bred girl, and he
was too prond to let her know of his
love unless he could meet her upon equal
ground.
Now, had Guy been less noble IN his
trusting generosity Louis would have
been crushed to the earth with shame.