Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-12-25

some vast surprises for Verne. For
several days he had not received any
word from Leila. His uncle, too, was
strangely silent. Then there appeared
at Truxton young lawyer who some
times did business for Mr.. Tresham.
you are to return home at once"
said this visitor.
But the lawsuit here?" remon-
strated Verne. 81 have got 1t In just
the right shape. am familiar with
its details and can certainly be Of use
regarding It."
But the lawyer very gravely and
seriously reiterated the unqualified d.
rection from Mr. Tresham, 80 Verne
returned to Midvale.
1t was an inexplicable and chilling
reception that awaited him. He had
never seen his uncle 80 distant.
Eyes. sent for you." he said stern
ly. II suppose I need not tell you
why" and he passed across the table
between them three checks for ten
thousand dollars each. They bore
dates few days apart and the can
celled stamp of the bank. They had
been made out payable to self or bear
er, and they had been cashed through
a bank at Truxton.
"Well?" questioned Verne, looking
up in puzzled way, what has this
got to do with me?"
Have you the audacity to ask"
challenged his uncle stormily. Lis.
ten-I know all. You forged my name
to those checks. You alone can imi.
tate my handwriting 80 cleverly, for
on occasions / have warranted your
using my signature. You alone had
access to the check book in my safe,
and those three checks were torn out
from the back Of my check book"
OF course Verne Indignantly pro-
tested. 1t was of no avail His uncle
swore that unless he went away to a
distant solitude he would disown him.
Verne found the Boyd home shut
against him. Leila had been sent
away to a relative convinced OF his
guilt, his uncle claimed.
A broken man, confronted by a mys.
terry he could not fathom, Verne re.
mained in secluslon for a week. One
evening a visitor was announced II
was Mrs Vassour.
She was pale, wretched looking.
She inquired of Verne where he had
last seen Reeves. He told her al
Truxton. She said he had disap
peared from there. She broke out
into bitter vituperation OF the wretch
who had borrowed all her money and
left her penniless.
Verne felt sorry for the adventur
ess. He inquired gently as to her
necessities and rendered her some
money. She took 1t. started to leave
the room, and then, some wild i'm
pulse stirring her, returned to his
side.
you are a gentleman and friend,
she said, her voice quivering. Il con
fess ALL" =
In amazement Verne listened to hel
story. A past. mistress Id the ar
hypnotic, she had placed him undel
the influence of her power that eve
ming at the cafe garden. She hat
forced him to reveal all about hi
uncle and the details Of his business
While he was at Truxton she ha,
visited Mr.. Tresham. Upon him sh,
had worked her spell also. Uncon
sciously he had produced the checl
book and followed her directions
Reeves had cashed the checks q
rruxton. and had disappeared with tn
money.
Il do not know where he is," sal
Mrs. Vassour, "but I know his oil
associations. and II you promise no
to prosecute me will assist In rur
ming him down."
Which was done, and nearly tn
whole Of the money recovered. Ther
amid the amazing manifestation tina
the signature to the checks was hi
own, Mr.. Tresham was more than col
trite. He gave the entire amount n
covered to his nephew, and Leila b,