Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-09-17
Continued.

They were checks on the county
Bank and made out to Richard byrn-
3hoIm. One represented eighty pounds,
the other two hundred,
Pearle turned them over, and saw
Rfchard's name. in his own bold hand,
written on the back.
''4Svhere did you get these?" she
asked.
Ode you perceive anything wrong
sa,bout those checks?" ADDISON Cheet-
Elam asked, unheeding her question.
NO
EDO you notice that on the check
representing two hundred pounds, the
ciphers are a trif1e crowded, while the
word two in the writing is not just
as perfect as it should be?'
Yes, 1 notice that the ciphers are
,dittle close; but that proves nothing.
@SLook again at the figure 2; it is
very cleverly done, but the curves have
been added to it. The check originally
represented G10. The figure L has
been changed to represent 2, and
cipher added to make the whole 200.
Look at the one for $50; that was
originally for only one-tenth as much;
"a cipher has been added there also.
These changes can scarcely be detect
ed, but an expert would grasp the fact
at once,' explained the cunning plotter.
~Are you an expert, that you have
1een so clever?" Pearle demanded,
-scornfully.
~'No; but am aware that these
checks have been tempered with,
nevertheless" he answered, flushing
lat her tone.
please explain how you learned so
much?"
Certainly. I was present when
both these checks were made out to
Richard-you perceive they are both
of the same date. I knew their
amount, and so, Of course, when next
saw them I was convinced they had
been tempered with
HI think you must have taken con-
siderable trouble to discover SO much.
Perhaps you may even have had a
2nand in this matter yourself; I should
mot be at all surprised, if you could
pfIfer from his private desk or safe to
get possession of these things, as you
must have done, in order to bring them
to me-
Pearle's tones were very quiet, but
zintensely sarcastic. She was making
u brave fight for her lover, but in her
heart terrible fear was nearly driving
51er frantic.
Again ADDISON Cheetham flushed
ihotly, and bit his lips till the blood
flowed.
ftIaswaTe to you he began.
You need not sware to me at all. ;"
she interrupted. 'I am not SO foolish
SIS to think that people are careless
enough to leave Endorsed checks lying
loosely about / konw you must have
been prying into Richard Byrnholm's
secret affairs, in order to have become
possessed of these things that you have
brought me today But am not to be
deceived by you. What could any one
wish to tamper with two such COM
2oaratixely small amounts for, when
they possessed as abundant means as
zde does? 1t is simply absured."
F|Not so absurd as you may suppose.
Y happen to know that Richard has
been spending great deal of money
lately. Think of the expense he has
been putting into the Grange for you;
-se0unt those debts of honor in that
little book. and see what they amount
10. He has gone beyond his income;
&be is pressed for money, and, with this
Gofher family on his hands, it is not to
zoe wondered at that he should wish
for more. I suppose you recognize his
writing on the back?" ADDISON Cheet-
J1am concluded. with some eagerness
Pearle examined it again carefully.
Yes; that was without doubt writ
1Een by himself" she said.
ecYou identify it, then-you have no
doubt of it?"
sENo; it is identical with that in
the memorandum book" she answered,
comparing the two.
Good! 1 sware to you those checks
ahave been tempered with. Now are
you convinced-now will you believe
Nhat I wish to save you from a cheat
and William" he asked, an almost
ZIendish glitter in his eyes.
mol" Pearle Radcliffe cried, her
voice ringing out clear and full once
more, and lifting her small head with
the air of queen. Instead, I believe
that at heart you are cowardly
knave You have been nursing mean
spirit of revenge for years, and are
E5oznd to ruin Richard Byrnholm if you
gan And as for your plea-that you
desire to save mel have no faith in it.
Furthermore, / fancy I am entirely
capable of looking out for myself.
And you will not believe me-you
will not believe that the man whom
you promised to marry is william and
u forger?" he demanded. his face grow
Ding dark and almost terrible in his
wrath that he could not snake her
Faith.
81 will not" she answered, resolute-
1y.
Glow can you doubt 1t, with those
i