The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-08-31

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the study
He took my arm and we strolled
into his snuggery.
"You think / have been very good
to you, theni" He was leaning
back in an armchair and smoking
the stump of a half finished cigar.
"Well, why have I been good to
youG"
He paused, and I said that I could
not tell.
~ have been good to you for
Gracie's sake. I have been looking
out for husband for her for some
time, but in our position it was not
an easy task. I required man I
could trust, gentleman by birth
and nature, one who would love her
and be good to her, one who had no
meddlesome relatives to interfere or
advise. I think I have been success
full"
assured him that I should do all
I could to justify his selection. He
nodded and went on speaking:
81 had no friends. Although l
had some money, it was not easy to
find the man I wanted, who would
marry her, having only my word
for her past and knowing nothing
of my career. who would marry her
without asking questions, as you
have done. heard about you as a
struggling practitioner, newly start
ed. l took stock of you, as I have
taken stock of others who were
found wanting in some of the quail
ties l required. l made inquiries
about your past and then Itook you
on trial You have satisfied me, and
/ don't think you will regret the
step you have TAKEN
T. told him that I was more than
satisfied.
81 am glad to hear it," he said.
''And now you must promise me
that Oracle shall never know what I
am going to tell you"
] gave him the promise.
"Swear that you will never tell
hel: and that you will be the same
to her always as you are today. She
is Il dear, good girl, the one person
in the world who believes in me and
cares for me. You are both provid-
ed for, and after this day you will
never see me again.
stared at him, and he held out
his hand to me.
Swear what I have asked you;
by all that you hold sacred swear. I"
took his hand and complied with
his wish.
"Why shall we not see you
againi" asked when he had re-
surned his seat.
He laughed. Then, selecting pen
from small collection on writing
table, he wrote on the back of an
envelope and tossed the paper over
to me.
"What is that9" he asked, and I
looked upon it with amazement.
1T lis my signature, I faltered
"An imitation of my signature.
"It is forgery, is it notf''
"Yes, but I don't quite see the
drift Of the business. +"
'tThe business speaks for itself,
nv dear fellow" And he tossed his
cigar end into the CRATE. ''It is my
business-I am a forgerl" There
was pause. Sharp was smiling,
while I felt as if some one we're pour
ing. ice water down the small of my
back could only murmur, You
are a forgerI''
.'Listeny You know, Of course,
that Gracie's mother was my sister.
The Sharps were poor as church
mice, and my father, a strict old
pal.son, got me into London Office
when was mere boy. Ishall not
drivel about temptation and go on.
Be it enough to say that my talent
for drawing and penmanship made
me friendless for life before I was
II years Of age. To be quite plain
with you, I spent the halcyon days
of dawning manhood in Portland
prison. Oracle knows nothing Of
this, and no member of my family
had heard Of me for years until 1
came to the rescue of my sister when
old Fairleigh died, for was well off
then. Fairleigh was not insured,
and left my sister badly off, and go
1 helped her out and paid for
Graoie's education.
1.-The story goes that I made my
money in America, but l am able to
correct that statement for your ben
eft. On my release from prison, I
threw in my lot with two of the
mcst daring criminals Of the high
grade, and, although we have had
Some narrow shaves in our time, we
were never captured.
"Since Oracle came to live with
me Cher mother, as you know, died
year ago. I have often feared that
by some odd chance might be run
to earth. and set to work to get her