Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-05-27
THE FORGER.


 IT you can't find $500, shall be ar rested for forgery. Now you know the worst father" And tho young man en- deavored to appear indifferent and failed to do so.
 I've not 950 left, said John CaIrn- gate, Sr. "You know that, John. You've had all my money, my poor boy" And the old man stood up and opened the office safe, and, taking from it his bankers passbook, he handed it to his son. Tbe !atter looked at it and threw 1t down im- patiently.
 You wogldn't have shown this to mo if your money was at the bank Perhaps you do not quite understand my position. have forged my friends name to bill. It becomes due tomorrow. I have seen tho man who discounted 1t and tried to get the bill renewed. He won't do 1t, smells rat fear, and if I don't take it up to- day 1t will be presented tomorrow, and am ruined ;
 Will your friend help you If you con fess tho truth and pay bim back little by little?"
 I don't think so for moment. put parallel case to him in order to feel the ground, and he said that he would have no mercy on forger, even II it were his own brother ,'
 My poor boy, my poor boy, how could you have dcne it?'
 'sItis no usc discussing that. father It's done now. I thought yoH would help ma this once, for 1 have an offer to join Frank Paston, ir Fort Elizabeth, and I would go there at once. It would bo new life for me, and woald try hard to make it better one. Father"-and the face was softened now and the voice pleading give me this chance. Remember me as was to you when you first called me into tho 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.
 T win work to pay you back, father. l 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 J
 Still the old man said nothing, but sat rocking to and fro, to and fro
 sI know that at your time of life, fa- ther e500 may mean great deal to you, but every penny shall be paid back"
 Do you mean that, John?'' And tho senior looked up, the lines on his face deepened and the gray of it more pallid.
 ''Indeed 1 do. ought to have come to you long ago and told you of this, but hoped until almost the last moment that I could spare you the shame of knowing how had disgraoed your name.
 eff managed this for you, how soon could you start, Johp?'
 In week, father
 'tIt is not soon enough. It must be to- night.
 1T will if I ean.'
 Old John Cairngate opened The Times and looked at the shipping advertisements.
 1.-The Union line has 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 a card, on whicE 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.
 ''Yes, father. J
 "Now, I 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 a 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 a second class passage; no more. ,
 MT Cairngate broughta small box from tho safe and took :e5 from it.
 ''1ake 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 1t was so deadly dull, and, true to his promise, he would not look at an English newspaper. Then, as the few passengers landed, voice hailed him by nane. It was the first time he had heard 1t for many 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?a called out the newcomer, and then, as he stepped ashore, he shook hands with the exile.
 .'Of course I understand why you went and did not leave your address," added Barton, "but none of the follows 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 Carngate's eyes asked for infor- nation, and there was fear in them that