Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-05-30
THE FORGER.

They were alone together. the old man and his son. the one who had toiled for so many years and the one who had spoiled his few years of manhood.
 eff you can't find e500, shall be ar rested for forgery. Now you know the worst, father. And the young man en- deavored to appear indifferent and failed to do so.
 i've not 950 left, said John Cairn- gate, ST. You know that. John. You 'ye had all my money, my poor boy" And tbe old man stood up and opened the office safe, and, taking from 1t his bankers passbook, he handed it to his son. The latter looked at it and threw it down im- patiently.
 'tYou wouldn't have shown this to mo if your money was at the bank Perhaps you do not quite understand my position. l have forged my friends name to a bill. It becomes due tomorrow. I have seen the man who discounted it and tried to get the bill renewed He wont do it, smells rat, fear, and if don't take it up to- day It will be presented tomorrow, and am ruined.
 twill your friend help you if you con- fess the truth and pay him back little by little?,
 uOIl bulDh SO l0F U IlOfuGHU. pub parallel case to him in order to feel the ground, and he said that he would have no mercy on forger, even if it were his own brother. 2"
 My poor boy, my poor boy, how could you have done it?''
 "It's no use discussing that, fatber. It's done now. I thought you would help me this once. for have an offer to join Frank Daetnu Eort ErIizn both opI .yn,,1J go there at once It would be new life for me, and I would try hard to make it q better one. Father''-and the face was softened now and the voice pleading "giye me this chance Remember me as 1 was to you when you first called me into the world. Indeed l 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
 II will work to pay you back, father. I shall be out of the 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.
 ''I know that at your time of life, fa- ther, $500 may mean great deal to you, but every penny shall be paid back. J
 Do you mean that, John?" And the senior looked up, the lines on his face deepened and the gray of it more pallid
 Indeed do 1 ought to have come to you long ago and told you of this, but hoped until almost the last moment that l could spare you the shame of knowing how 1 had disgraoed your name. /"
 If I managed this for you, how soon could you start, John?'
 In week father. "
 "It is not soon enough. It must be to- night
 Fl will if I can"
 Old John Cairngate opened The Times and looked at the shipping advertisements.
 ''The Union line has a steamer leaving Southampton by tomorrow morning. s tide. Go to their London office If they haven't a berth left, ask for this gentleman, ' and he gave the young man card, on whick he penciled name "Tell him as favor I beg him to find you one, even if you have to mess with some of the crew. J
 tt Yes father. ''
 "Now, I only want one promise from you in return. You and I 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- DOT or to receive 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.
 Mir Cairngate broughta small box from tho safe and took e5 from it.
 "T Take this, and now go and keep your promise.
 "Goodby, father, and thank you. Think less hardly of me 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 went quietly out.
 It was 12 months later, and young John Cairngate was waiting to see the passen- gers from the 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 the fow passengers landed, voice hailed him by name. It was the first time he had heard it for many Il 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 here?" called out the newcomer, and then, as he stepped ashore, he shook hands with the exile
 Of course l understand why you went and did not leave your address, /" added Barton, "but none of the fellows think worse of you for what happened. It wasn't your fault, old chap. Ono can't be re- sponsiblo for one's relatives You needn't have left as you did. D
 John Cairngate's eyes asked for infor- nation, and there was a fear in them that was evident to the other man.
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