Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-04-17
CHAPTER XXI.-(Conthned.)

surprise. HE was over In Wellington.
where l did make his acquaintance.
What's more. was able to render him a
service, which l know he has not for
gotten to this day."
What was it?"
Don't ask me, Charley, for I can't
tell you. If Gertrude has chosen him
she has done WELL"
There's nothing certain about 1t 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 hotting pad! Oh, left that as
! memento of my visit; had no card
case with me-" laughed Cyras. "And for
the drawers, had only q fancy, Charley,
for seeing what you kept in your lockers"
"You know the bishop of Denham?"
II ought to do so. He used to read
me lectures an hour long. remember
he oDce told my father that he ought to
keep over me the severe rod of cOrrec-
ton"
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. It 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 establishment. Forged your
name to bill r. he exclaimed. II declare
most solemnly that 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 90 mysteriously
personated him. you paid him by
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 day or two ago, and
II made no memorandum OF the date.
How time fies!''
But why did you attach my name to
IT."
II signed It with my own name. o.
Baumgarten.' made 1t payable here,
for had no settled address In London,
with all Of you out of 1t, north, south,
east and west. That bill due! They
didn't bring it to you, did they7"
"Of course they brought 1t to me, be-
lieving 1t was mine. And l disowned 1t,
and it's not paid yet; and there's don't
know what work about 1t. 1t was a pref
ty close imitation Of my handwriting,
ut was my own handwriting, and no
Imitation of any one else's. l wrote my
name as l always do, and always have
done. A we are alike in person, Charles,
% we are in writing. You know it."
( "You have given me little opportunity
Of knowing it Of late" was the reply.
ut must DO months since you wrote to
me, Cyras."
1--WE made your letters to me do duty
e for both Of u.s." returned the free-and-
easy Cyras; land have sent you one of
our splendid newspapers in return.
have no end Of business letters to write
now, besides looking after the shipping;
20 that when the day comes to an end
! don't care to set to work again"
"You seem to have taken quite busi-
ness turn" remarked Charles, only half
believing In his brothers industry.
II took that long time ago. It's
positive fact, Charley. They are going
to give me q share in the concern"
"And what about this bill, Cyras?"
"Oh, I'll see to it, said Cyras, airily.
'Don't let 1t bother your head, lad"
"Have you any more bills out, Cyras7"
Zone more"
"And made payable heref"
Cyras nodded.
'And what Ii the amount?"
Cant remember. "A hundred pounds
or so. It's a Bond street tailor. I was
obliged to have a regular rig-out. Colo
NAL tailors don't do for London"
Charles Baumgarten recalled a rumor
be had heard about a 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. II must take
up these bills IL you do not"
''Take up the bills" echoed Cyras.
"What for? You did not accept them"
"But the people think I did"
Rubbish! Let them think what they
like. Ill 60 with you to the parties and
show myself, and convince them of their
error. Charley, lad, what long face you
are drawing! Just a. you used to do
when we were young boys and led you
Into a scrape. Didn't I always get you
out Of 1t then7 And I'll get you out of
this. In fact, you are not in It."
"How will you get me out Of it7"
"By paying the bills myself. I'll set
he all up before leaving England"
"Why not pay at onceT
Cant" lightly returned Cyras
"Money runs away over here; It simply
melts in Paris. I brought about three
hundred pounds with me, and it's all
gone. I've telegraphed out to old Brice
A.