The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-05-12

bhAhh y Nhh nthJ ~ WIZ BRJ JOA
nearly cent for cent; at any rate,
Marsworth says it ought to. wouldn't
tell any one else, but for the sake OF
old times I've given you the tip"
Somehow my soul did not yearn for
this tip, and gave Ridge distinctly
to understand, and urged this point
emphatically, that / was absolutely
short Of spare cash.
"Well," he said, "I'm sorry, for
you might have made good thing
out Of it. But let me tell you some.
thing else. Marsworth's put me on as
secretary, and this morning he came
to me in rather a way; he'd made
some technical mistake-iust q little
legal slip, OF something and there
was only one way out OF 1.-THE sigma
lures OF the directors to some docu
ment or other never bother about
these things, you know. He'd got one
man to sign, and he wanted my name.
Then he could raise capital at once,
and he's promised us both hundred
pounds on Saturday. Did l sign?
Rather, my boy"
"But, is it all right?"
"Oh, Mr.. Marsworth's safe as nails,
and as honest as the day. He's been
awfully nice to me oil along"
"Well, 1 shouldn't touch that
money"
"Not touch il? Won't I, though |
And I've had 200 shares allotted to me
free, besides the post of secretary, and
soon, old fellow, you'll have to be
best man, for I'm going to have the
banns put up on Sunday week."
A few days after this I met Rudge
in the city. He was smsrtly dressed
and told me TINT Marsworth had given
him the money, and also that he had
sold some of his shares for eco that
morning, "as favor to a pal of mine,
old chap" Then about week after
ward had letter from him saying
he had taken house and fixed the day
of the wedding.
Some few days had elapsed. 1t was
past midnight, and 1 was just think
ing of retiring, being the only one
up in the house, when q knock came
to the door. carefully withdrew the
bolt and latch. A man with his coat
collar turned up, muller over his
face, and hat slouched down over his
eyes dashed in, almost knocking me
down. For a moment l was staggered,
and then made rush for the in
truder.
"Hush For heavens sake shut the
door /"
1t was Rudge! l shut and bolted
the door.
"What do you want?"
''Let me como into your study,
please"
took him there, and he threw him
self into chair, exclaiming:
'Im hunted man. For the sake
of our friendship, don't betray me. ]
swear Pm innocent"
"What's the matter, Rudge?"
"Ma1sworth Forgery and embez-
zlementi"
| bean to see daylight.
"What, has he turned out fraud ?"
''Yes; and worse than that. I'm in
it, too. There's a warrant out against
me-"
The poor fellow began to sob Bit
terly, and by degrees it all came out.
Marsworth had used him and the other
man as tools, neither of them having
the slightest idea what was really hap
pening. Marsworth had known that
the crash must come, and had pro
vided for it. He was nowhere to be
found. The other man had been ar
rested, and Rudge had escaped by the
skin of his teeth and come to me.
saw he was more sinned against than
SHINING, and / gave him my solemn
promise that would assist him in es-
Gaping out of the country. The poor
fellow had been honest about it, and
had actually sent the hundred pounds
to the Public Prosecutor, having, he
told me, some e37 left out of the EGO
he had received for the now worthless
shares, and with which he determined
to get to America, feeling sure the
friend who had bought them would
not grudge the money.
"But," said /, "You'll never get
abroad. "They'll look for you at the
docks sooner than anywhere. Be-
sides, you're not easily disguised.
"That's true, he said "and they've
got my photo, I'm afraid"
Rudge had very striking profile,
his nose being most prominent fea.
ture.
"Look here" I exclaimed; "youv
best plan is to make for the Cont
} nent. How about going to Antwerp
or Holland, and getting a passage tC
America on North German Lloyd p
"Ah, that's a good thought. Vel
decide to morrow"
, l gave him shAke-d down for the
night and kept him concealed in my
study next day, taking in his meal
) myself. He wrote letter to hi
! fianee, whom promised to see mex
. day, and then we decided that ht
3 should take the $50 p. m. train from
3 Liverpool street to Harwich. III,
, shaved off his mustache and stained
S his eyebrows, and l managed TO ge
him black wig. But nothing sufliceC
for that profile of his, and / warned
4 him to beware OF exposing his face
too much. also managed to rig hin
out in some other clothes, and gave
him bag and sundry requisites.
| "Now," / said, 81 shall come dowI
a and sec you of, so that i can go ant
tell Miss Saunders you are safe. But
as soon as we get to Liverpool stree
) well separate. Do not take any
further notice of me. Go first clasi
its only a few shilliDgs more: gel