The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-16

sessed OF very great charms and the
glimpse be caught OF her snowy hair only
made the rest Of her face appear more
youthful Grief. under such circum-
stances, cannot fail 90 be touching.
Pray, calm yourself. Mrs. Lidyari." he
SAID. soothingly. You have not yet told
me now ] can serve YOU"
Mrs. Lidyard suppressed her agitation
and continued.
II must tell You everything: I can do
nouhing but throw myself upon your
mercy Yesterday IN going through nv
accounts. missed a check that had been
sent me only the day before. I searched
eNerYWheT Tor 10. and not finding II.
finally telegraphed 90 the bankers stop
ping payment / did not at FIRST suspect
that she hes,tated. Il am very I'M
fortunately placed. My son has eNtrava-
giant tastes. and an income quite insudi-
Gent 20 Indulge them" She looked at
Ruthven piteously
gravely
Il waited for my son. spoke TO him OF
what ] dreaded. implored him TO tell ne
all! And-oh. Mr.. Ruthven, have pity on
him and on me. and give me back that
wretched check"
Ruthven rose immediately. and a sec
ond later returned.
You can count on my discretion" he
said, pityingly. as he placed the check in
her hand
OH how can I thank you7-how can
I ever thank your" she exclaimed. al
most Historically. Then, seeing a small
writing table, she sat down Furriedly.
May | write you check here"
He smiled and she drew a check book
from the bag she carried.
Mr.. James Ruthen, is II not?"
She began 10 write, and then turned
to him quickly.
but $500 is not the whole amount. VIII
you tell It me2'
Ruthen replied shortly: give hundred
and hfty-fve pounds" II was one thing
winning money at the Nebulus from Arch
le lldyard, bit OF a CoXComh and a great
deal of fool, quite another thing taking
10 here I'm the cold morning hight from his
mother, still quivering from the anguish
she had undergone.
Here It is" she said rising. ''You see
the Endorsement was not even a clever
forgery she added, with a little sob
Ruthcn glanced at it; there was a GER
tain similarity I'm the signatures no doubt
but the one he had seen last night was
hrmer. with touch OF masculinity, want
Ing in this.
No. as she said, it was not even clever
forgery.
81 doA't think you know what you have
done for me, Mr.. Ruthven," she said, Of
fering him her hand. mo. please, she
continued. as he made a movement 10
accompany her-"I would rather 20 alone:
thank you again, and God bless youi"
James Ruthven was not a sentimental
man, but he was rather pleased with Mrs.
Lidyards parting words, though Il was
perfectly clear to him that ne had done
little TO deserve them, for after all Il
was a clear gain to him to exchange a
worthless bit of paper for a check for
His complacency remained undisturbei
for at least two hours. He breakfasted
well, and read his paper with absolute
serenity. Then he took a cab to the 81
James sqpare branch of the Westmin-
ster Bank.
The cashier took the slip Of paper and.
after looking at the signature, honored
Ruthven with a keen glance before disap-
pearing
"Will you step this wayg"
Ruthven looked up astonished, but obey
ed. conscience that the clerks were watch-
ing him curously and he was ushered in
to the managers sanctum.
II shall be glad N you viii explain how
this check came into your possession. +"
said the manager as RuthVen came into
the room, while the cashier stood with
his hand on the door.
81 really don't understand" began
mo one" replied the manager, "of the
name of Eva Lidyard has an account
with this bank"
mo account exclaimed Ruthven. 'cNc
account! Why she wrote this check FOL
me not two hours, ago" 03
There was a smile about the manager
eyes as he renewed his request for ar
explanation of the circumstances by
which the check had come into Ruthven's
possession, and as he unfolded the story
of the white-haired. fearful mother i'm.
ploring mercy for her wretched son, Il
deepened there.
II think it matter for the police
Simpkins," he said to the cashier, and
turning to Ruthven he remarked, II ex-
pect the check you parted with has been
cashed by now. DO you remember the
name and the banw UPON which it was
drawn?"
RuthVen's memory was not at fault, and
driving thither he found that the mana
ger had guessed correctly The check he
had parted with had been presented .
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 1t. In fact
he was In a very black humor indeed as
he entered his sitting room, where, IA
complete his perpleNty, Archie Lidyard
was seated, with his heels on the mante
and a serene smile on his lips.
"Halloo," said Lidyapd. i've accepted
your lunch, but II I'd known / should
have had to wait so long for it l would
have gone elsewhere"
RuthVen was too excited to take any
notice of the remark. He strobe up to the
young man and looked at him savagely.
where's your mother2" he demanded
1t was Lidyard's AIrn to look astonished
where s-my-mother. Why2" II sud.
denly occurred to him that his host had
gone mad, and he grasped a chair as the
only weapon of defense handy.
Ruthven saw the look of fear in Lid.
yards face. 81 beg your pardon, Lid.
yard, a most extraordinary thing has hap.
pened. Your mother called on me this
morning
"My mother is in Wales" said Lldyard
quietly.
"Then I've been swindled as neatly as
ever man WAS declared Ruthven. There
only one thing to do"
Lunch" remarked Lidyard, senten.
tlously.
When lunch was finished Ruthven had
recovered some portion of his serenity
Nevertheless, he said, as he leaned back
in his chair, Il think wen try Scotland
Yard"
And while Scotland Yard busted Itself
discussing the problem thus presented, a
couple of passengers to Nice were com
fortably seated in a reserved carriage OF
the night express.
mot bad mornings work, eh?" re.
marked one Of them to his pretty golden
haired companion
The girl laughed.
IF you don't break the bank at Monte
Carlo, Bob, l think / shall go on the stage
and play old ladies; that white wig was
awfully becoming
You managed it beautifully, Nell
There's no knowing what we rnayn't be-
able to do with nv wits and vour 1ooke