Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1907-04-19
CHAPTER xXI.-(Conthned.l


what was it2"
''Don't ask me, Charley, for can't
cell you. If Gertrude has chosen him
she has done WELL"
There's nothing certain about It yet,
! fancy. Only, hint was whispered to
me that-Cyras r. 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 pilSered 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 OId
Harry with them, Oyras; turned the draw
ers inside out, and ornamented the blot
ting pad to the bishop of Denhams plous
horror and my own confusion"
''The blotting pad Oh, left that as
memento Of my visit; l had no card
case with me" laughed Cyras. "And for
the drawers, had only a fancy, Charley,
for seeing what you kept in your lockers"
"YOu know the bishop of DenhamT
II ought to do SO. He used to read
me lectures an hour long. 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 establishment. Forged your
name to bill r. he exclaimed. Il 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 a 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 CyrHs, lifting his head in surprise
"It 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 e
at?"
II signed It with my own name, g
Baumgarten.' / made 1t payable here
for / had no settled address in London
with all Of you out Of it, north, south
east aRd west. That bill due They
didn't bring 1t to you, did theyr
"Of course they brought 1t to me, be
lieving 1t was mine. And l disowned it
and it's not paid yet and there's dom
know what work about it. 1t was pref
g. 0'' 'n''A'l0H u D' D'D'"''''I'
ut was my own handwriting, and n
imitation of any one else's. l wrote m
name as always do, and always hav
done. As we are alike in person, Charles
90 we are in writing. You know it."
"You have given me little opportunit
of knowing it of late" was the reply
at must be months since you wrote t
me, Cyras."
''I've made your letters to me do dut
for both Of u.s." returned the free-anC
easy Oyras; "and have sent you one G
our splendid newspapers in return.
have no end of business letters to writ
now, besides looking after the shipping
so that when the day comes to an en-
don't care to set to work again."
"You seem to have taken quite bus
ness turn" remarked Charles, only ha
believing In his brothers industry.
II took that a long time ago. It's
positive fact, Charley. They are goin
10 give me share in the concern"
"And what about this bill, Cyras?"
"Oh, I'll see to it," said Cyras, airil.
''Don't let It bother your head, lad"
"Have you any more bills out, Cyrasi
zone more"
"And made payable here2"
Cyras nodded.
"And what is the amount2"
Cant remember. A hundred pound
or so. It's a Bond street tailor. WI
obliged to have a regular rig-out. Col
NAL tailors don't do for London"
Charles Baumgarten recalled a rum'
he had heard about a month before-th,
whispered inquiries were being made
to his finances.
"Cyras, do you want to ruin me2"
cried, In a startled tone. 81 must tai
up these bills If you do not"
'Take up the BILLS" echoed Cyra
''What fort You did not accept them
"But the people think did"
Rubbish Let them think what tht
like. I'll go with you to the parties al
show myself, and convince them of the
error. Charley, lad, what long face y,
are drawing! Just as you used to
when we were young boys and led "
into a scrape, Didn't l always get y,
out Of 1t then2 And I'll get you out
this In fact, you are not in it."
How will you get me out Of lt?"
by paying the bills myself. I'll s,
BE all up before leaving England"
why not pay at once"
Cant" lightly returned Cyrs
Money runs away over here; 1t simp
melts in Paris. brought about thr
hundred pounds with me, and it's
gone. I've telegraphed out to old Bri
to send me more"
why did you not pay the jeweler
the time you bought his goods?"
The bill came to so much more tn
q had thought for and 1 hadn't enou
in my pocket. Oh, it's all right, old
low"
And, pray, Cyras, If may put
Al