The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-30

wrong WuICu Sic 1clI Suo was,
against her will, committing.
But how2
A plan suggested itself to her the
thought Of which threw her into violent
excitement.
She brooded over 1t for hours. She
took long walk in the city and through
the park, thinking it over. Her face
was flushed, as if all the blood in her
body was pressing into her cheeks. Her
temples throbbed as if the veins would
burst. Her heart was beating so that
she thought she could hear it strike
against her ribs.
Hattie struggled violently to get rid OF
the harassing idea, but she could not do
it. She must think of it.
It was feasible. No doubt about it.
But action must be quick.
What would 1t amount to, after all'
A small wrong done to prevent a greater
one.
And was not the money hers by law?
But it was wrong! 1t was even a
crime before the law. And detection
must follow soon.
No Detection would follow, but no
body would know about it but Walter.
He would not make it public-of course
not Nobody would be injured by it but
herself.
How sweet the thought to be able to
tell him. she loved: "This I have risked
for you, for I would not see you
wronged."
This would be real sacrifice, far more
than giving up the worthless lucre which
she did not need.
Love is never happier than when max
ing sacrifices,
Yes, she would risk it!
A firm resolution established Itself in
her mind A quiet calm came over her
after the intense excitement. She would
need all her GOODNESS and self-command.
Hattie Beckford went back to the
hotel and inquired whether her brother
was In. No, he was gone out. Then
she asked for the key to his room. She
would there wait for him. The clerk
knew her and readily complied.
She was in her brothers room. Where
could he keep what she wanted? There
was no desk in the room. In one OF
those bureau drawers, no doubt But
they were locked. All. this hotel furni-
ture is so poorly made, almost any key
will fit
She fumbled in her pocket for bunch
of keys. This one must fit All, yes,
admirably!
Her hand trembled a little as she
turned the key and opened the drawer.
Hattie Beckford opening another's draw
er in order to abstract something from
it!
But this was no time for hesitation or
conscientious scruples! With an effort OF
her will she steadied her hand
Here lay what she was looking for
Walters checkbook. Hastily she tore
off few of the blanks and put them in
her pocket. Then she locked the drawer
and left the room.
In her own room she found letter Of
Walters. She looked ut the signature.
She had always been good at copying
drawings. That would serve her in good
stead now.
The first attempt did not succeed very
well. But she tried again and again,
and, after having practiccd for five min.
utes, she could write the name Of "Wal-
ter FL. Warringham" so that nobody
would distinguish it from the original.
Then she filed out one of the blank
checks:
sPay to Miss Hattie Bcckford or order
500, ,O0O."
Now came the most hazardous part Of
her undertaking.
Providing herself with strong ieath-
ern hand. sachcl, she went boldly into
the bank Office. 1t was nearly the hour
of closing.
With tremendous effort OF will she
restrained her excitement when she
handed the check to the paying teller.
The teller knew her we'll Hc also
knew that Walter had deposited so large
sum only Professionally, in order to
presently employ it otherwise. He was
therefore not particularly surprised at
seeing the young lady call with check
for 30 great an amount He counted
out the money in bank-notes and green
backs OF high denominations, arranged
it for her in the sachel, and Hattie was
gone.
Half an hour later she was on the
train en- route to New York, where she
meant to take passage for Germany, in
order to personally deliver the money to
him whom she thought to be its rightful
owner.
Her plan had succeeded admirably so
far. But when the pressing necessity
of appearing unconcerned relaxed, her
nervous system broke down. AS she sat
IN the railway carriage she could no
longer prevent an outbreak of nerv-
Gus weeping, much as she tried
to conceal her tears from the
other passengers. Fortunately there
were but few passengers in the car. and
they seemed too preoccupied with their
own affairs to pay attention to the
young lady, who was burying her face
in her ocket-handkerchief. Besides,
she was still in deep mourning, the
best apparent reason for her evident
distress, and the best protection against
obtrusive curiosity.
Hattie thought over what she had
done! Forged her cousins name to
check! She was criminal then, and
would be sent to the penitentary!
The young girl shuddered.
But no, It was not so! She had only
taken what belonged to her, and she
was going to do wiz q -."t duty de-
manded. Besides, she had little 10 fear.
The forgery could not possibly be de-
then, net even for several days By
that time she woulG be on the high sea-
And would Walter prosecute his own
cousin? Surely not
No! She had nothing to fear, and she
had done quite right.
Then she began thinking Of Ralph,
and how thankful he must be to her.
All, how sweet to think that if he did
net love her with the love she felt for
him. he must at least be thankful to her.
And she felt proud of what she had
done!