The daily Alaskan., 1905-10-27
A DOUBLE SWINDLE
LOrIgInall

Er0eSL uAu lullSu AAtO 'HS A'''''Na" of Arnold Prigmorc, who preyed on society in a gentlemanly way and with out breaking the laws. He was win ming money from Elkins that the boy did not possess. To save himself E!- kins was drawing on his sister.
 It had just come to Dole's knowledge that Prigmore had that very day taken an additional amount from Ernest, or, rather, from Louise ElkinS, for her brother had given in payment of a gambling debt her check for $3,1OO. There could be no doubt that the money had been won dishonestly. Be sides, It was equivalent to dishonesty for man of PrigmOrc's age and cX- Derience to take money won from foolish boy that belonged to a woman. But there was nothing in this that could be proved as sw.ndle. Dole also knew that Louise E.kius' income had already been reduced 10 8 mini mum by these drafts upon it. and with the present amount paid her revenue would be unequal to her modest re- uulrements. He had heard Ernest tell Prignore when he gave bis sisters check that he must have tweuty-tor hours to make it gool in bank. Dole thought of going to Trigmorc and pro testing. but decided that it would avail nothing.
 The next morning while Prigmore was sitting at the breakfast table a servant announced lady Co sec him. Going to the drawing room he found a visitor, yelled, who rose as he entered arI in a voice choked with so5s said:
 "I have come to ask if yoI have de poGited the check given you yesterday by Ernest Elkirs."
 "I have not. l expect to do s3 this afternoon before the closing of bank hCJrs."
 "Wiu you let me sec it?" "Certainly." And. taking out hls pockct5ook, he showed her the check. As soon as she saw it she fell back in her chair in collapse.
 Well" asked Pr.gmore, "isn't it all rightY
 My fears are realized; It is a for, gc:y."
 How do you know"
 The signature is supposed to be nine"
 "Yours?"
 Yes; I am Louise Elkins."
 Your brother shall suffer for this.'
 Spare him, I implorc you. Consider hIs youth"
 I'll land him where he belougs-n state prison"
 Tell me how I can satisfy you. am but a woman and know nothing of business"
 You can give me your own check that will be good in the bank"
 And you will tear up the fOrgery?'
 Certainly. only want my money"
 Prigmore showed her to a desk and gave her writing material and blank check. With a trembling hand she filled 1t out, and as she handed it to him he said:
 "I cant return the forgery till l find that this check is goOd.' Then noticing that the check in his hand was for S4,5OO Instead of S3,5OO he paused a moment, then folded 1t and gave her the other check. He sUrmIsed that In her agitation she had made mistake, which he proposed to take advantage of.
 How can I repay you for your mag nanlmIty? she asked
 By lifting your veil"
 "For heavens sake, don't ask me to do that. I am ashamed at being the sister of a fOrger. If I should meet you again-in society, perhaps-I would not wish you to know me"
 "But'-
 Are you sure the amount of the check I gave you Is right? 1 scarcely knew what I was doing
 ''The exact amount. Never mind lifting your veil. can readily under stand your feelings" He gallantly showed her to the door and bowed her out.
 "I wouldn't take her for the little fools sister," he muttered. she must be a head taller than he. It would have been safer to have had look at her face, but I was afraid she'd want a look at the check. I'd have risked a thousand for a sight of her. What fools women are"
 Prigmore deposited the check and the next day was notified by the bank that it was a forgery. He was thun- dersuuck. Slowly it dawned upon him that he had surrendered a good check for a forgery. Hurrying to the bank, he learned that the original had been drawn. Some one had victimized him.
 The police never discovered the wo- man who had persOnated Miss Elkins, nor did either she or her brother learn who had drawn the money. Prigmore finally resigned himself to a loss of funds that had never belonged to him and left the locality where his methods had become known to work others.
 Two years after this happened Franklin Dole married Louise Elkins. The morning after they had returned from their wedding trip Elklns said to his wife: