Year: 1870

remember it, but heart is a wayward
thing to manage.


" She will never know that 1 am inno-
cent, he said, q little sadly, "and by-and-
by she will come to think like the rest."-
And yet his heart beat lighter all day for
that whispered word.


Before the day of trial came, Annie had
nearly succeeded in converting her father
to her belief in young Lindsey's innocence.
She had happy faculty of winding that
parsonage round her finger He had
great deal of faith in Annies Judgment
and altogether believed her to be q most
wonderful little woman.


. You see" said Annie, argumentatively,
tits not at all probable that he would do
this when it wasn't going to benefit himself
any, only to pay an old debt contracted bv
the firm six months before he was admitted
into it. And, by the way, I think it
shabby trick i'll the Sherwoods taking any
one into such shaky concern as theirs
very evidently was.


81 think they meant well, my Gear"
her father interposed. mildly.


Perhaps" was the doubtful answer
But now, father does it look reasonable
that any one would be so anxious TO con
vict himself, if he were really guilty.
as you say Mr.. Lindsey was? You say he
seemed feverishly eager to criminate him.
SELF Now is that natural, father?"


"Well, not generally, think


"Of course not. [ tell you he is not
guilty of this forgery, and if you send him
to prison, you will do very wicked thing, -
she said, vehemently


But, my child, he is in the hands of
the law; it will not be as say,'' he re-
piled.


But you can establish some test-see if
he can write your hand-it is said that the
imitation was perfect--or require him to
declare under oath that it was his work
something to get at the truth-for it is NV
firm belief that he is sacrificing himself to
save the Sherwoods.''


Mr. Morrison promised to mention these
things to legal friend and get his opinion /;
he did not know that could do much more.


lhe day OF trial came round ; it was only
formal one, the accused having confessed
his guilt, and requested that no defence be
made for him. A counsel had, however,
been assigned to him, to sum up the extern
uating circumstances, and beg that the
court might be as lenient as possible in it's
sentence-considering the nature of the
crime-in view of his youth and previous
! good character.


But new complexion was at once put
upon affairs, by Clark Hunters coming for
ward at the opening of the court and boldly
charging the forgery upon Robert Sher-
wood. He stated that, knowing the finan-
cial affairs of the firm to be in very tick
lish condition, he had, in company with
detective from the city, kept an eye on the
Sherwoods for several days previous to the
time of the forgery. He knew of their
dabbling in speculations, and learned ofthe
failure of the concern perhaps before thew
did. He was little surprised to find a new
partner in the firm, and did not know but
possibly he might have money. He waited
to find out. He soon learned that it was
only poor clerk who had long been in their
employ. He knew Gorham's note fell due
the next day, and he had natural curiosi-
ty to see how they managed to pay it. He
was interested, from the fact that the Sher-
woods owed their firm quite n sum. He
saw Robert Sherwood come down to the
store, and almost Immediately young Lind
sey go away. He looked into the store
twice, but saw nothing of Sherwood. He
afterward saw Lindsey come down to the
store, and moment after, looking in
through the glass door, saw him behind the
counter waiting on some ladies. Afterward,
from the same position, saw Sherwood open
the Office door and beckon to Lindsey. Who
came out from behind the counter and fol-
lowed him into the Office He then walked