Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-04-05
CHAPTER XXI.-(Continued.) }

"Everard Wilmot," repeated Cyras, in
surprise. "He was over in Wellington,
where l did make his acquaintance.
What's more, l was able to render him
service, which 1 know he has not for
gotten to this day."
what was it?"
Don't ask me, Charley, for l can't
tell you. If Gertrude has chosen him
she has done WE'LL"
There's nothing certain about it yet,
fancy. Only, hint was whispered to
me that-Cyras !" burst out Charles, as
an idea flashed across him. ut was you
who came to my rooms here the night be-
fore last 1t was you who pilfered the
key from my old laundress."
Cyras nodded. II took the key from
her hand, and let myself in with it."
But you need not have played up Old
Harry with them, Cyras turned the draw
ers inside out, and ornamented the blot
ting pad to the bishop of Denham's pious
horror and my own confusion"
''The blotting pad! Oh, left that as
a memento of my visit; had no card
case with me-" laughed Cyras. "And for
the drawers, had only fancy, Charley,
for seeing what you kept in your lockers"
"You know the bishop of DenhamW
81 ought to do so. He used to read
me lectures an hour long. l remember
he once told my father that he ought to
keep over me the severe rod OF correc-
tion.'
"Well, he was here the next morning
early, and in all innocence l gave him
the blotting pad to use. You may, per-
haps, fancy his looks, and his opinion of
me, when those sketches met his outraged
eyes,"
Charles thought his brother never would
cease laughing. 1t was the best joke, he
declared, that he had heard for many a
day.
But there are other things, Cyras,
Charles resumed, "and they are not trifes.
You have been forging my name to bill"
All the mirth in the elders face gave
place to astonishment. Forged your
name to a bill :" he exclaimed. II declare
most solemnly that l have never done any
thing of the kind, Charley. You may put
down as much folly to me as you will ;
but-forgery You are dreaming, lad"
you bought lot of jewelry from a
man named White" continued Charles,
who, of course, was no longer at any
loss to know who had so mysteriously
personated him. "You paid him by a
bill purporting to be accepted by me. And
you-"
But the bills not due !" hastily inter
rupted Cyras, lifting his head in surprise
1T was due a day or two ago, and
II made no memorandum of the date
How time flies ~
But why did you attach my name to
it?"
II signed it with my own name, C.
Baumgarten.' made it payable here,
for l had no settled address in London,
with all of you out of it, north, south
east and west. That bill duel They
didn't bring it to you, did they?"
"Of course they brought it to me, be-
lieving it was mine. And | disowned it,
and it's not paid yet; and there's l don't
know what work about it. 1t was pref
ty close imitation of my handwriting
Cy."
1T was my own handwriting, and nc
imitation of any one else's. l wrote my
name as l always do, and always have
done. As we are alike in person, Charles
so we are in writing. You know it."
"You have given me little opportunity
of knowing it of late" was the reply
1T must be months since you wrote to
me, Cyras."
'I've made your letters to me do duty
for both of u.s." returned the free-and
easy Cyras; 'and have sent you one oi
our splendid newspapers in return.
have no end of business letters to write
now, besides looking after the shipping
so that when the day comes to an END
l don't care to set to work again"
'You seem to have taken quite bust
ness turn" remarked Charles, only hall
believing in his brothers industry.
II took that long time ago. It's q
positive fact, Charley. They are going
to give me a share in the concern"
"And what about this bill, Cyras"
"Oh, I'll see to it," said Cyras, airily
Don't let it bother your head, lad"
Have you any more bills out, Cyras?
"One more"
"And made payable here?"
Cyras nodded.
"And what is the amount?"
Cant remember. A hundred pounds
or so It's Bond street tailor. l was
obliged to have a regular rig-out. Colo
nial tailors don't do for London"
Charles Baumgarten recalled rumol
he had heard about month before-that
whispered inquiries were being made as
to his finances.
"Cyras, do you want to ruin meT he
cried, in a startled tone. Il must take
up these bills if you do not"
"Take up the bills" echoed Cyras
"What for? You did not accept them.
'But the people think did"
Rubbish Let them think what they
like. I'll go with you to the parties and
show myself, and convince them of theil
error. Charley, lad, what long face you
are drawing! Just as you used to dc
when we were young boys and l led you