The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-06-09

You won't lose me You'll gain
another child instead. I'm sure Ned Il
love You dearly-that is if you Il give him
a chance; and with another kiss, Nanny
hastencd away to hide the tears her moth
er' $ suggestion had brought to her bright
eyes. No indeed III love my mother
all the better for loving Ned 50 faithful
and true : she thought.
As Mrs. Leydon had said, Edward
l. E,>nange belonged to an entirely differ
ent class of society to the one in W hieh
Nanny hld been reared He was the
Younger son Of country gentleman who
had only been able to save from his income
sufficient TO insure comfortable support
to hi, widow and daughter in case of his
death. as the estate was entailed upon the
eldest son. Se the younger ones had 10
seek far fortune gifts for themselves, or
20 without them.
Frederick L Estrange was employed as
bookkcerer by the same firm in which
Edward acted "a, cashier. He was very
different. both in looks aud in tempera-
meut. from his brother, being naughty
reserved and iuIolent; extravagant in his
habits. and living up to his income, if not
beyond IT, Ga the contrary, Ned was
frank, genial. aud energetic, caring little
for luxury, aud ever ready to lend help
iug hand 10 u needy fellow creature
Frederick l. Estrauge considered Nanny
Lcydon SO much beneath him in the social
scale that he had scarcely youchsafcd her a
glance before her engagement to his broth
er. and even after that his manner toward
her was a mixture Of supereiliousness and
GOODNESS upon the rare occasions Of their
meeting
She had sweet powerful soprano
voice. and bad been invited for its sake
into thc choir of the church which she had
attended as a SUNDAY scholar, and where
her singing had attracted notice as a child,
SO that any of the exhibitions which were
given occasionally to show the pupils off in
public. we're considered bcref, Of the prin
rir1l attraction il ANYTHING occurred to
keep Nanny away.
Ned was a passionate lover Of music,
and sang with correctness aud feeling him
self. When hc first came to Ito enter
upon his new. self supporting mode Of life,
he attended the church where, every
Lord DAY. Nanny sweet voice SCARED
up ia iJ, bird ike clearnes> aud purity as
dis,ins, in its individuality from the notes
If the choir. singers, as lark 5 would be
an,onz chorus Of less gifted sonssters.
80 attracted at frs, by her voice, he had
learned 81 lyok for the shy, lovely face Of
ii- owner until it had grown into his heart
ani his Ioyc Tor Nanny had become a part
of himself. tie >ough. an introduction,
aud. i, wc have seen, had Won her con
SEN, % l,e his wife
Their wedding was 4 quiet one and the
,ouu. couple settled down in pleasant
home With every prospect Of happiness.
An went on well for several years; then
a sadIen and terrible shock came 10 the
youne wife tender heart The husband
whom She loved 80 dearly was accused Of
forgery Upon going to his place Of bus
inc, one morning he was told that his
presence va, desired in the private office
Of Nessrs Holman & Go, his employers.
lie found the two senior members Of the
.irm awaiting him there He was imme
distely confronted with some drafts which
had been signed apparently BY Mr.. james
Holman The writing was close imita-
ton Of that gentleman hand, but there
was 4 p.culiarity about some of the letters
which had caused the bank officials To
-grutinize them closely before accepting
them. although deciding them to be gen
uine a; the last
There was minSling Of expressions
upon the Young mans face as he glanced
at the signature. lie was about to speak,
but. a. though controlled by sudden
thought. he hesitated, slowly scrutinized
the writing again, aud then said
DO you think am the guilty party
who has tried to defraud You, Mr.. Hol-
man p
4 am sorry to say do, Mr.. l. Est
range. Who else has had an opportunity
10 become familiar enough with my pen
mauship to initiate it p
Ned hesitated an instant before he an
swered Then he said
Can the matter be settled by paying
YOU the amount of those drafts 7?
AS you are a young man in whom we
have taken an interest, | think | can an
swer for the other members of the firm,
and say YES, Mr. l. Estranse. But, OF
course, only to save you from ruin. lam
sorry to be so disappointed, sir | may
say we are sorry-speaking OF my part
ners also
Ned's features worked with emotion.
1t seemed strange that such an honest,
frank pair Of eyes could look out Of for
ger face
If you will excuse me, | will try and
raise the money in the course of the day,
he said, hurriedly, evidently wishing to
escape from his questioner without break
ing down.
lie received the desired permission to
depart, and went away at once
His efforts proved unsuccessful, and he
came back.
Take the full course of the law with
me. " he said, sadly. Il cannot raise over