Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-03-29

ed II we would take It in payment. God
frey did 90. and handed White the bal
ance."
''You ought to have doubted how a
bill of mine should get into a jewelers.
hands,"
They came to no satisfactory conclu-
sion. And Mr.. Jephson departed, taking
the bill with him, declaring to the last,
in his idle, joking manner, that the bill
was undoubtedly Charles Baumgarten's
and might have been accepted in his sleep.
Charles was busy all day. After
snatching his dinner In the evening, he
went out to call upon the elder of the
two Jephsons; for, in spite of his asser-
ton that he should do nothing, the affair
was giving him concern, and he deter
mined to look into it. Godfrey Jephson
was in his dining room, but came out OF
1t at once to Mr.. Baumgarten.
1T Is incomprehensible to me how you
can deny the signature" he said, enter
ing upon the matter at once. "If you
saw my signature or Herbert's, you would
know them. And we in the same way
know yours. 1 recognized it the moment
saw 1t. White is respectable man
there's not a more upright tradesman in
the city of London; he is not one to say
you accepted the bill if you did not. II
is most strange that you should disown
1t, Mr.. Baumgarten."
Did White tell you 1 had accepted
it?"
HE told Herbert. I have not had
time to see him"
go with me to him now" suggested
Charles. HE will not say to my face
that l have, bought jewelry of him and
paid him with a bill. 1 never saw thu
man in my life to my knowledge and nev
er was inside his shop"
Godfrey Jephson, his interest and Gu
riosity aroused, agreed to the proposal
and they proceeded in the dusk of tht
evening to the jewelers., in one of tn,
leading thoroughfares.
"You go forward first" Whispered
Charles, "and enter upon it. 1 should
like to watch his countenance. I'll com,
and confront him at the right time"
A smile that caused Charles to kni
his brow crossed Mr.. Jephson's face a.
he advanced to the jeweler. The shoI
was brilliant with gas. Charles sat dow
near the entrance, as if to wait for hi
\ friend.
This BILL" began Godfrey Jephson
taking It from his pocketbook, twas du
to-day, and presented for payment. Mr.
Baumgarten refuses to take it up. H
says 1t is a forgery"
'But how can Mr.. Baumgarten say
that?" returned the jeweler. HE &C
eepted the bill in my presence"
"Mr. Baumgarten says that he doe
| M xUOvy vTOV1 he H. /
your shop to his recollection" continued
the lawyer.
Charles Baumgarten walked slowly for
ward, and the jewelers. eyes fell upol
him. "Why, that-that--is Mr.. Baum
gartenl" he uttered, though in tone o
hesitation.
Eyes; 1 am Charles Baumgarten
There's some mistake here, Mr.. White
that cannot understand. How is it tina
you told Mr.. Jephson we have had deal
ings together?"
Because we have had them" returne,
the jeweler. 1.-THE question is, how is /
that you deny it? recognize you full,
now, sir. You purchased several article
Of jewelry Of me and paid me with thi
bill"
II never bought a shilling's worth o
jewelry Of you in my life" replied Charlie
Baumgarten. "But if had, l should no
have been likely to pay you by bill. 1
l had bought jewelry, should pay 20,
in cash for It,"
"And that is what you were going t,
do, sir" returned Mr.. White. "You ask
ed me to make the account out, and di,
so. You laughed when you looked at tn
sum total, it was so much more thai
you had thought for; and you took on
your pocketbook and counted the banl
notes in it, and then said you had no
much more than half enough with yol
and the shortest way would be to draw
short bill, say at a months notice.
had no objection. 1 took a bill STAN,
from my desk, drew out the bill, AM
you accepted it at this very counter"
TITS all news to me-" replied Charles
II repeat to you, Mr.. White, that neve
was in this shop before tonight. 1 neve
signed or saw the bill; never bough
any jewelry here whatever"
Ito be continued.)