The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-09-10

But f3O0 is not the whole amount
"Will you tell it to me?"
Ruthven replied shortly. Five hun
dred and fifty-ive pounds" 1t was one
thing winning money at the Nebulus
from Archie Lidyard, bit of a cox
comb and a great deal Of fool, quite
another thing taking it here in the cold
morning light from his mother, still
quivering from the anguish she had
undergone.
Here it is,' she said, rising. you
see the Endorsement was not even
clever forgery" she added, with lit
tie sob.
Ruthven glanced at IT. there was
certain similarity in the signatures, no
doubt, but the one he had seen last
night was firmer, with a touch Of mas
'culinity, wanting in this.
No, as she said, it was not even q
clever forgery.
II don't think you know what you
have done for me, Mr. Ruthven," she
said, offering him her hand. mo,
please, she continued as he made
movement to accompany her-"I would
rather 60 alone; thank you again, and
God bless your
James Ruthven was not sentiment
al man, but he was rather pleased with
! Mrs. Lidyard's parting words, though
it was perfectly clear to him that he
had done little to deserve them, for,
after all, it was a clear gain to him to
exchange a worthless bit of paper for
a check for f555.
His complacency remained undis-
turbed for at least two hours. He
breakfasted well, and read his paper
with absolute serenity. Then he took a
cab to the st. James's Square branch
of the Westminster Bank.
The cashier took the slip of pa, 'tr,
and after looking at the signature, hon
ored Ruthven with keen glance be-
fore disappearing.
"Will you step this way"
Ruthven looked up astOnished, but
obeyed, conscious that the clerks were
watching him curiously as he was
ushered into the mana gers sanctum.
81 shall be glad if you will explain
how this check came into your posses
sion," said the manager, as Ruthven
came into the room, while the cashier
stosd with his hand on the door.
81 really don't understand" began
Ruthven.
mo one" replied the manager, "of
the name Of Eva Lidyard has an ac-
count with this bank?
mo accountv' exclaimed Ruthven.
"NO account! Why, she wrote this
check for me not two hours ago"
There was smile about the mana
gers eyes as he renewed his request
for an explanation of the circum
stances by which the check had come
into Ruthven's possession, and as he
unfolded the story of the white-haired,
fearful mother implOring mercy for her
wretched son, it deepened there.
81 think it's matter for the police,
Simpkins," he said to the cashier, and
turning to Ruthven he remarked, 81
expect the check you parted with has
been cashed by now. Do you remem-
ber the name and the bank upon which
| it was drawn?
Ruthven's memory was not at fault,
and driving thither he found that the
manager had guessed correctly. The
check he had parted with had been
presented a couple of hours previously
and paid.
Thus it happened that an hour later
Ruthven was returning to the Savoy,
though in a very different frame OF
mind from that in which he left it. In
fact, he was in very black humor in
deed as he entered his sitting room,
where. to complete his perplexity,
Archie Lidyard was seated, with his
heels on the mantel and a serene smile
on his lips.
"Halloo," said Lidyard, "Ive accept
ed your lunch, but if I'd known l
should have had to wait SO long for it
1 would have gone elsewhere"
Ruthven was too much excited to
| take any notice of the remark. He
strobe up to the young man and looked
at him savagely.
"Where's your mother?" he demand
ed.
| 1t was Lidyard's turn to look aston
ished re's-my-mother. WhyT'
| 1t suddenly occurred to MIN tnat MS
host had gone mad, and he grasped n
chair as the only weapon of defence
handy.
Ruthven's saw the look of fear in
Lidyard's face. 81 beg your pardon,
Lidyard, most extraordinary thing
has happened. Your mother called on
me this morning"
my mother is in Wales" said Lid
yard quietly.
"Then I've been swindled as neatly
as ever man was," declared Ruthven.
There's only one thing to do"
Lunch" remarked Lidyard, senten-
| tiously.
| When lunch was finished Ruthven
had recovered some portion of his
serenity. Nevertheless" he said, as
he leaned back in his chair, II think
| wall try Scof1a nd Yard