Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-05-19
THE FORGER.

&1dhf 1pakS anu bHt Otb WnU ntQ SpOllEU his flow years of manhood.
 "If you can't find e5O0, l shaii bo ar rested for forgery. Now you know the worst, father. And tho young man en- deavored to appear indifferent and failed to do so
 live not a50 left" said John Cairn- gate, ST. "You know that John. You've had all my money, my poor boy.n And the old man stood up and opened tho office safe, and, taking from 1t his bankers passbook, he handed 1t to his son. Tho latter looked at it and threw 1t down i'm patiently.
 You wouldn't have shown this to me if your money was at the bank. Perhaps you do not quite understand my position. l have forged my friends name to n bill It becomes due tomorrow have seen the man who discounted it and tried to get the bill renewed. He won't do it, smells Q rat, fear, and if don't take it up to- day 1t will be presented tomorrow, and I am ruined. U
 ''will your friend help you if you con fess tho truth and pay him back little by little?n
 ''I don't think so for moment. put a parallel case to him in order to feel the ground and he said that he would have no mercy on forger even if 1t were his own brother. ;
 My poor boy, my poor boy, how could you have done it?"
 "It's no use discussing that, father. It's done now. I thought you would help me this once, for have an offer to join Frank paston, in Fort Elizabeth, and I would go there at once. It would be a new life for me, and l would try hard to make it better one. Father'-and the face was softened now and the voice blending fgive me this chance Remember me as was to you when you first called mo into tho world. Indeed I will strive to deserve your love-
 The old man sat with his face hidden in his hands, rocking quietly to and fro in his chair.
 1T will work to pay you back, father. I shall be out of tho way of temptation in Africa, even if I was inclined to forget this lesson. Tell me that my life is not to be wasted.
 Still the old man said nothing, but sat rocking to and fro, to and fro.
 s'I know that at your time of life, fa- ther, G500 may mean q great deal to you, but every penny shall be paid back. ''
 s.Do you mean that, John" And tho senior looked up, the lines on his face deepened and the gray of 1t more pallid.
 tIndeed do. ought to have come to you long ago and told you of this, but hoped until almost tho last moment that I could spare you the shame of knowing how I had disgraced your name. '
 If I managed this for you, how soon could you start, John?"
 In week, father.
 Ut is not soon enough It must be to- night.
 q will if can.
 Old John Cairngate opened The Times and looked at the shipping advertisements
 tThe Union line has steamer leaving Southampton by tomorrow mornings tide Go to their London office. If they haven't a berth left, ask for this gentleman, ;" and he gave the young man q card on which he penciled a name. "Tell him as favor I beg him to find you one, even if you have to mess with some of the crew. U
 "Yes father. II
 "Now, 1 only want one promise from you in return. You and part forever. You must not seek to communicate with me in any way. More than this, you must cut yourself off from England for time and refuse to sec even an English newspa per or to receive a letter from an English friend. You understand that you are exiled. '
 "Yes, sir. The voice was hard again.
 "How much money have you?''
 "Just enough for second class passage no more"
 Mr Cairngate broughta small box from the safe and took e5 from 1t.
 "Take this, and now go and keep your promise. J
 t'Goodby, father and thank you. Think less hardly of mo some day" And he offer ed his hand, but it was not seen, and the gray head was rocking between the with cred old hands again. And so the young man wont quietly out.
 It was 12 months later, and young John Cairngate was waiting to see the passen- gers from tho Cape steamer The new life at Port Elizabeth was not altogether a pleasant one, but he was prospering The worst of it was it was so deadly dull, and, true to his promise, he would not look at an English newspaper. Then, as tho few passengers landed, voice hailed him by name. It was the first time he had heard it for many a day, for here he was John Dunkley.
 "John Cairngate, old fellow''-
 It was an old friend whom he had last seen in London shortly before he left.
 .Who would have thought of seeing you hereS' called out the newcomer, and then, as he stepped ashore, he shook hands with the exile
 "Of course understand why you went and did not leave your address, added Barton, "but none of tho fellows think worse of you for what happened. It wasn't your fault, old chap. Ono can't be re- sponsible for ones relatives. You needn't have left as you did"
 John Cairngate's eyes asked for infor- nation, and there was fear in them that was evident to the other man.