Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-09-24

''I:ut t:.yD is not the whole amount.
Will lou tell ii TO me-"
Ruthyen replied shortly. Five hun
dr.I and fifty tiv. pounds" 1t was one
thing winning money at the \ebulus
from Archie I-idvard bit of a cox
comb and Il great deal of a fool. quite
: another thing taking it here in the cold
morning light from his mother, still
+ qliivern2 from the anguish she had
j undergone.
Here it is she said rising '.You
see the Endorsement was not even a
! clever forgery she added, with lit
! tie sob.
Ruthven glanced at it; there was a
! certain similarity in the signatures. 40
doubt. but he one he had seen last
night was tirmer. with a touch Of mas
culini1y. wanting in this.
No, as She said, it was not even q
clever forgery.
Il don't think you know what you
have done for me, Mr.. Ruthven,' she
said, offering him her hand. NO
please. she continued, as be made a
Movement to accompany her-"I would
rather go alone; thank you again, and
God bless YOU
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 n worthless bit OF paper for
j check for f5.,5
His cOmplacency remained undis-
turbed for at least two hours He
breakfasted we'll. 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 paper,
and after looking at the signature. hon
ored Ruthvcn with keen glance be-
fore disappearing.
will you step this way?'
Ruthven looked up astonished. but
obeycd. conscious that the clerks We're
watching him curiously as he was
Cshered into the managers sanctum
Il 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
stood with his hand on the door
Il really don't understand began
Ruthven.
NO one" replied the manager, "of
the name Of Eva Lidyard has an &C
count with this bank
no account eXcla lined Ruthven
check for me not two hours ago
There was a smile about the mana
gers eyes as he renewed his request
for an explanation of the cirrum
stances by which the check had come
into Ruthven's possession. and as be
'>funfOlded the story Of the white -ha ired
Itearful mother imploring mercy for hel
wretched son, it deepened there
Il think it's matter for the police
Simpkins," he said to the cashier. and
turning to Ruthven he remarked. II
expect the check you parted with has
been caShed by now. Do you remem
Der the name and the bank upon which
, it was drawn
Ruthven's memory was not at fault
and driving thither he found that tn,
manager had guessed correctly. The
! check he had parted with had beer
presented a couple Of hours previously
and paid
Thus it happened that an hour latel
Ruthven was returning to the Savoy
though in a very different frame o.
mind from that in which he left it. II
J. hi 1s1~ hum in
deed as he entered his sitting room
where. to complete his perplexity
; Archie Lidyard was seated, with hi:
heels on the mantel and a serene smil,
: on his lips.
"Halloo" said Lidyard. Eve accept
cd yonr lunch. but if I'd known
, should have. had to wait SO long for i
| would have gone elsewhere.
Ruthven was too much excited t
take any NOTICE of the remark. II
Strode' up to the young man and looket
at him S;lvaGely.
Where's your mother:' he demand
, ed
, 1t was I.iayards turn to look aston
ished. Where 's-my mother. Why?
!, II suddenly occurred to him that HI
host had gone mad. and he grasped
(, chair as the only weapon of defenc
: handy.
:. Ruttven'S saw the look Of fear i
l-ldyari> face. Il beg Your pardon
= l-idyarI. most extraordinary thin
has happened. Your mother called o
me this lnorninC-'
My mother i> = Wales" said Ia