Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-06-07

1--WE bring you very sad news" said
Mr.. Morris. II am Ogden Morris, a
banker. Your father was employed by
my partners in our office in Paris.
have come to tell you of his DEATH"
If the three men expected Mile.
Mercier to exhibit any outburst OF
grief they were disappointed. She re-
garded her visitors coldly. II know
it." she said.
"You know that your father is
dead?" cried Morris. How, may i
ask"
"That, monsieur, is my affair.""
IL was asked by him. the banker
went on, suddenly becoming as re-
served as the girl herself, ito deliver
to you this package. The seal which
/ had placed upon it is unfortunately
broken"
The girl took the envelope, drew
out the franc-piece and after glancing
at it carelessly. dropped it into the
pocket of her apron. Then she read
the letter, a disdainful smile playing
about her mouth. When she had fill
ished she handed the letter back to
the astounded banker. This letter
was not written by my father" she
said. 1t is a forgery"
Hal" cried Duvall. "What did I
tell you?"
Look at the way his name is writ
ten in the signature" went on the
girl, who seemed unusually intelligent
for one in her position. "Then see how
he has written the same name IA the
address on the envelope. The envelope
is real. The letter Is not. And now, Mr..
Morris, may 1 ask what you have done
with the letter my father entrusted to
your care!" The girl spoke angrily, as
though she was sure some grave in
justice had been done her.
IL have done nothing with It,"
the astounded banker gasped. There
was an accident ON board, and-and
in some way" ,.-
Il understand" said the girl sig
.nifieantly.s Gan accident. Ma foil"
She shrugged her shoulders and turn
ed away impatiently.,.
but my dear young. woman"
"Let me speak" said Duvall sud-
denly taking the astounded banker by
the arm. Did the old gentleman
with the rheumatism, NJ. Hartmann,
tell you this?" he demanded.
1t was the girls turn to be aston
ished. "Yes," she exclaimed. How
did you know -.. 81
There has been a serious crime
committed, mademoiselle. Not only
was the purser of the vessel in which
Mr.. Morris crossed murdered, but the
package your father sent you was
stolen from the safe and opened.
What the message was that it origi-
nally contained l do not know, but l
believe this man Hartmann does. l
wish to put you on your guard. He is
a dangerous fellow"
The girl gazed at him. wild-eyed and
uncertain.
That is what he told me about
YOU" she cried, eyeing the three men
before her. How am to know whom
to believe? He told me that my father
left me a collection OF coins worth
thousands of dollars, but that a bank
or named Morris, to whom he had en-
trusted them to deliver to me, had
stolen them and was coming to me
with a single franc and forged letter.
He said my fathers coins would all be
found in Mr.. Morris's trunk. Well,
YOU have done just what Mr.. Hart
mann said you would do. How do
l:now that he has not told me the
truth:"
She faced her visitors defiantly.
Good Cod" cried Mr.. Morris.
"WhaL a diaboiically clever story. l
have the coins. present forged let
ter 1t is all true
You admit il, then?" cried the girl.
"Wait a moment, young woman,
said Duvall sternly, This gentleman
is not criminal. He is one OF the
best known bankers in New York. He
did not steal your fathers collection
of coins. He bought it to pay his
fuRcral expenses"
so the forged letter says!" en-
claimed The girl angrily. why do
you bring it to ire if it is forged? And
if it Is forged how does it happen
that ii rgrees exactly with the story
YOU now tell me-"
because that part of the letter is
true" ..
Mon Diea," cried the girl, now
very angry. you say it is true. NJ.
I.a.,mann says it is not true. He
should know, think"
"Iow?" asked puvall quietly.
because he was my fathers physi-
clan, and was with him when he de-
livered the coins to this man." She
pointed an accusing finger at poor
Morris. Now so away and leave me.
You have robbed a poor girl. 1T Is
en3ueh, Il should ,nink, without tor
turing her Win your lies" She fung
hcwef, weeping, from the room,
",iy Cod."s exclaimed Mr.. Morris,
p5sslng his hand nervously across
Ills forehead. "This is terrible. Isn't