The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1902-02-01


What was the matter? Lady Caraven
was, as usual, bright, beautiful and
graceful; but those who knew her best
saw that she was engrossed by some
thought
The earl rang for his footman.
when Mr.. Blantyre comes, show
him into my study" he said; and then
feel nervous at the task you have I'M
dertaken?' he questioned.
NO. she replied, calmly, "but l
fancy that Mr.. Blantyre will feel ner-
Vous before we have done with him."
The earl smiled. If this trusted SER
want of his had deceived him, the
sooner he was unmasked and punished
the better.
Il think" said Lady Caraven, lit
would be quite as well if we looked
over that balance sheet before Mr..
Blantyre comes-it will shorten the in
1erview"
He acquiesced at once, and followed
shls wife to the study
She went to the table, and took her
seat. Her husband stood at some dis
lance from her. Silently she bent her
head over the papers.
You have seldom, suppose, looked
over one of these balance Sheets" she
said to the earl,
No. he replied, II do not remember
that l have ever examined one,"-
Then I will look over them" she
said, quietly. Before long she added,
will you look at this, Lord Caraven?
eAll this is quite wrong several en-
tries are Incorrect, and the reckoning
is falsified.'
The earl was slightly embarrassed.
Il do not think to tell you the truth,
Hildred, that 1 am very clever at ac-
counts" he stammered.
! But surely you can see whether this
is correct? Believe me, child could
see it,
Then l am not so wise even as
child,' he said, ruefully; but, leaning
over her shoulder, he tried to under
stand what she said.
1t was indeed easy enough-the
whole sheet, as she pointed out, had
been got up to meet the eye.
And you have never noticed this? -
said the young countess.
mo, indeed" he replied, II have
never even thought of it,
Then you have been a very easy
master to please she remarked. II
@r1
the man who falsifes his accounts is a
rogue You know it,"
II know that much I am afraid to
think whether all the balance sheets
he has prepared since he has been my
agentshave been like. this
! You have never looked into one,
imagine" "
mo, never
They were Interrupted by the en-
trance of the agent himsGf-the man
whom from his face Lady Caraven sus-
pected from the first of being dishon-
est.
John Blantyre was tall, gentleman
ly looking man of specious manner and
good address. A rogue from liking as
much as anything else, he would not
have cared to be honest if he could.
He had contrived to ingratiate himself
into the favor of Lord Caraven from
the conviction that he could do as he
liked with the easy, indolent, pleasure
loving nobleman. He had done so.
The result was irretrievable confusion.
John Blantyre had laid aside fair for
tune for himself.
LET the worst come" he said to
himself; IF am caught there will be
only few years imprisonment; then
I can go abroad and enjoy my saw
ings."
Yet he relied implicitly upon his
good fortune that he should not be
caught.
He entered the room smiling, with
his usual bland, obsequious manner
His face changed when he saw the
Countess of Caraven looking over his
balance sheets. The earl pointed tt
a chair; the detected thief sat down,
The young countess eyes were rails.
cd to the bland face of the agent; they
seemed to burn him. The earl left
the discussion to her, as he had said
he would. Words could not have ex.
pressed the proud, cold contempt of he,
face as she spoke to him.
you are well aware, Mr.. Blantyre
that this balance sheet is worth moth
ing? The accounts are all falsified.' u
II am not aware Of anything of the
kind, your ladyship. There may be a
few mistakes-it was hurriedly made
out. May ask permission To- -
You may ask nothing, SIR" she re-
piled, CURLY. "Tell Lord Caragen il 1t
be correct that you have taken . bribe
from some one who wants Bromhill
farm-a bride to turn out tke old ten
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