Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-05-24
a buSba3d'5
BY FLORENCE WARDEN.

there to-day. He came here last night,
pursued he, speaking mere slowly anC
watching very iintently the effect OF
his words on the lady's face, land thai
is the last l can hear of him.
There was a pause. Cicely had sc
far lost the mastery of herself that she
did not know what she was doing did
not know that she stared out over the
hard mans shoulder at the trees on
the lawn with Il face quivering with
anguish. MIR. Bennington more suspic.
1ous than sympathetic. watched her
race, trying strenuously to discern what
this strong emotion might ,nean Then
she came to herself with a start, and
tried to remember if in those few ter
nble moments she had spoken or utter
ed q cry. She knew now that it was
useless to hope for kindness or mercy
at the hands of this man.
MIR. Radstock was here last night,
certainly" she said ut last. He dined
with us. and when he left he did not
seem very we'll able to take care of
himself. That is all l can tell you.''
when he left: Oh, he did leave,
them"
'Of course he left"
The wretched woman told the lie
"AsA"s. Ai'tiShAiAS, tlitie WIS OILY one
thought i'll her mind now-to avert
the suspicion which grew every moment
stronger in her interlocutcr.
| What do you want with him?' eho
asked. after Il pause during which Mr..
bennington had kept his eyes fixed
thouShtfully on the carpet.
He raised his head suddenly at the
question, and looked at her, at first
without speaking.
You may Well Know" said he, at
last. shortly. And he took from one
of his pockets Il letter-caSe from anon.
the papers in which he selected one,
which WAS covered closely with IL fine
rather shaky handwriting, which Cicely
recognized as that of Joseph Radstock.
You know the writing:" said Mr..
Bennington. holding the letter for her
to see. but not offering to give it up.
YES
II received it this morning. [ will
read it to you But had you not bet
ter sit down! This is all very distress
. ing. and you appear fatigued."
I This apparent consideration was the
result of fear on his part that the
pale, overwrought woman would faint
or go into Mysteries, in which case she
would be easier to manage sitting than
standing. Cicely took his suggestion
and mechanically seated herself. while
Mr.. Bennington walked to the window
to get better light to read by. Then.
clearing his throat to call attention to
the Importance OF the communication.
he began:
William Bennington. ESQUIRE.
Dear Sir-As one who has the hon.
or to be connected by marriage with
your family your brother having mar
RED my sister,, and being well aware
OF the high esteem in which Won are
universally held. l feel that the pain
1ul duty is forced upon me of acouaint
ing you with a most unprincipled ad-
vantage which is being taken of yonr
eminent position on the Stock Ex-
chanse. regret to have to in
form, you. sir, that the nephew
VINO has the honor of bearing your
name though he is lacking in the
attributes which have rendered Won
distinguished, has been for some
time past in difficulties, brought
about, l fear 1 must add. by
an unduly eXtravagAnt mode of
lie. After mortgaging his house"
Here Mr. Bennington looked
across ut Cicely to see whether this
TACT was new to her. But she gave M
sign. He went on reading: ito it's
! full value; and giving a bill of sale
| upon his urniture"--Cicely did look
up then; las a last resource Mr. Mar
madukc Bennington has forged your
name as security on certain bills whicl,
Will become due in about six months.
time. l have no doubt that your
nephew will be able to meet these hills.
/ but at the same time I feel that these
! circumstances ought to be laid before
you. as with your great reputation for
! recttude as we'll as sound Judgment
| you will know how to act. l Should he
| glad II YOU would not mention NV
name as your informant. and if Won
could make use of my services in vour
office, should esteem it a great honor
ana blessing to serve an employer who
Is Wen known to combine with distin-
gulshcd business capacity the practice
! or a noble Christianity without which
the paths OF commerce are but as a
/ tnorny waste. | beg to remain, dear
sir, Yours obcdiently,
! JOSEPH RADSTOCK."
Mr.. bennington folded up the letter
Win little cough and glanced at
Cicely, whom lie expected to find over.
l
bands offensc. But she took the usual
Ignorant woman's view Of all matters
connected with business" and in any
case forgery was such a tritic com
pared with the crime she was trying to
hide! ~
! You understand madam, it is forp-
cry Forgery" repeated he emphatic
ally. as she offered no comment.
! But he didn't ask YOU for money.
he meant to pay the bills himself. Hc
only used your name. And Won arc.
his uncle" said she. with feminine
confidence in good intentions
MIR. Bennington made gesture of
astonishment and Impotence.
Hasn't Duke taught you the differ
ence between right and wrong?
should have thought a womans ma mr.
al intelligence would have told her that
forgery, besides its wickedness in the
sight OF heaven, is punishable by penal
servitude"
But you would not give up your own
nephew to penal servitudev'
Il would give up my own son to the
SRsplv l.