The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-06-15

reserved and indolent; extraTagant in
his habits, and living up 70 his income.
If not beyond it. On the contrary, Ned
was frank, genial, and energetic, caring
little for luxury and ever ready TO lend
helping hand 10 fellow creature.
Frederick L'Estrang0 considered Nan
ny Leydon 50 much beneath him in the
social scale that be had scarcely vouch-
safed her q glance before her engagement
10 his brother, and even after that his
manner toward her was a mixture Of
superciliousness and coldness upon the
zre occasions Of their meeting.
She had q sweet, powerful soprano
voice, and had been invited for its sake
into the choir Of the church which she
had attended as q Sunday scholar. and
where her singing had attracted notice
as a child, 50 that any OF the exhibitions
which were given occasionally 70 show
the pupils of in public, were considered
bereft Of the principal attraction If any
thing occurred to keep Nanny away.
Ned was passionate lover Of music,
and sang with correctness and feeling
himself When he frst came to l.
to enter upon his new, self-slpporting
mode Of life, be attended the church
where, every Lords day, Nsnny's swee;
voice scared up in its bird-like clearness
and purity as distinct in its individuality
from the notes Of the ehoir-singers, as
lark would be among a chorus Of less
gifted songsters-
So attracted AZ first By her voice, he
had learned to look for the shy, lovely
face Of its owner until it had grown into
his heart, and his love for Nanny had
become part Of himself He had sought
an introduction, and, as We have seer,
had won her consent 10 be his wife
Their wedding was a quiet one, and
the young couple settled down in q
pleasant home, with every prospect Of
happiness
All went On well for several years;
then sudden and terrible shock came
to the young wife's tender heart. The
husband whom she loved 50 dearly vas
accused Of forgery. Upon going 70 his
place Of business one morning he was
told that his presence was desired in the
private Office Of Messrs. Holman < Co.
his employers.
lie found the two senior members Of
the firm awaiting him there. lie was
Immediately confronted with some drafts
which had been signed apparently by
Mr. James Holman. The writing VAS
close imitation Of that gentlemanis hand
but there was PECULIARLY about som
Of the letters which had caused the bank
officials TO scrutinize them closely before
accepting them, although deciding them
to be genuine al the last
There was q mingling Of expressions
upon the young mans face as he glanced
st the siguatn e. He was about 10 speak
but, as though controlled BY a sudden
thought, he hesitated, slowly scrutinizsd
the writing again, and then said
do you think am the guilty party
who has tried to defraud you. Mr.. Hol-
man.
Il am sorry to say I do, Mr.. L L'Estrange.
Who else has had the opportunity 10 be-
come familiar enough with my penman-
ship to initiate It -
Ned hesitated an instant before he an
swered. Then he said;
@CAn the matter be settled By paying
you the amount Of those drafts27
"As you are young man in whom We
have taken an interest, think I can an
sTer for the other members Of the firm,
and say yes Mr.. L'Estrange. Bot, OF
course, only TO save you from ruin. I
an sorry 10 be 50 disappointed, SIR, may
/ say we are sorry-speaking for my part
ners also"
Ned's features worked with emotion,
It seemed strange that such an honest,
frank pair Of eyes could look out Of a
sorger's face.
IF you viii excuse me, viii Try and
raise the money in the course Of the
day" he said, hurriedly, evidently wish
ing to escape from his questioner without
breaking down.
lie received the desired permission 10
depart, ard vent away az once.
His efforts proved Unsuccessful, and he
came back.
Take the full course Of the Law with
me" he said sadly. Il sannot raise over
one half Of the amount required"
Feeling Just indignation al his con-
duct, his employers were about to take
him at MS word, when a new actor ap-
pe4red upon the scene. Il was his wife.
He had promised TO take her TO the Bo-
tanicAl Gardens that afternoon, as it was
a halfholiday. She had called for him,
and had been unvittingly conducted
thither by one Of the clerks in the es.ab-
I lishment.
The distress upon his face, and the
sternness upon MIR. H0lmanis frowing
brow, told her something was VIZ ng.
] cle turned 70 Nel
~What Is it," she said trenulOusiy
Are you in trouble? Don't keep any
thing from me. can bear il as long As
you are we'll"
I'VE are sOrry, Mrs L'Estrange," said
Mr. Holman, ~but il is no fault Of ours
Your husband can best explain what. has
occurred
q am accused Of crime, Nanny,
said Ned, -and have 10 suffer for it.
Go home, dear, and don't worry. Itu
do no good"
With a little cry Nanny went to her
husband, and threw her arms about his
neck
@But you are not guilty, are you, Ned?
1 won't believe II OF you ,"
=IfI cannot prove my innoeeDee, your
faith in me, darling, will not save me-
A little money now would be good
thing, much as I have scorned It in the
past"
I have something I saved from ny
earnings as a teacher, Ned viii that do
any good -
keep it, Nanny. With such = hus-
band az 1 am turning out, you'll prob
ably need Il Your small savings could