Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Wrecked.
her own inner consciousness by a mere trick of self-deceptive imagination . "There , " said Lilian , holding up a sheet of notepaper , " I have covered it all over and am quite an expert , am I not ? " and she smiled triumphantly at her cleverness .
" They are good , Lily . Now for a trial on the same piece of paper . This is all used up . I have a piece in my pocket-book , " and lie took out the blank piece of blue paper , and wrote plainl y Harold Hastings . " Can you do as well as that ? " It was something to be proud of or why did he look so proud of his feat ; she would try to excel in her imitation of the signature she was about to copy , she thought .
" Better than yours , Jack , " she said , holding up the paper , comparing the two . " If Richard Marchester were to see that I wonld defy him to say it was not his own signature . " " It is good , " Jack replied , looking intently at it .
The debt of honour was vanishing away . Tea was brought in at that moment , and he quickly put the paper in his pocket , while his sister was occupied in removing some needlework from a table , on which she directed the servant to place the tray .
That evening the body of the paper was filled in , " Two months after date , " and next day was discounted by a Jew well known for his generosity in lending monej 7 , but at an exorbitant interest . The debt of honour was duly discharged , and Jack Vernon went on card-playing with more or less success for the next few weeks . Then a period of loss ensued , his luck deserted him , and the week before the bill was due he had Avon but very few pounds wherewith to take it up .
In his perplexit y he again called on the Jew and endeavoured to renew the bill , but his anxiety was so great that the Jew became suspicious , and finally put him off with a promise to obtain it from his bankers , and to communicate with him respecting its renewal . That night Mr . Cohen wrote to Captain Hastings and Sir Richard Marchester apprising them of the date when the bill fell due . He did not , however , inform either that the other ' s name was upon it .
When Sir Richard opened his letter he was furions , but b y degrees his anger cooled—cooled very perceptibly when he imagined that he saw the means to break off the engagement with Harold Hastings . Unscrupulous and deceitful he consoled his conscience on this occasion with the proverb that " all is fair in love and war . "
Immediately after breakfast he called at the Kensington mansion , asked to see Mr . Vernon , and was at once show into a room , where he found Jack smoking a pipe , with a pint of champagne before him . Jack ' s face looked somewhat wan and haggard , his eyes were blurred for want of sleep , and slightl y bloodshot .
Sir Richard greeted him rather stillly , handing him the Jew ' s letter , and asking for an explanation as soon as he had seated himself .
Jack read the letter and sank bnck in the armchair in which he was sitting , trembling violently . Not a word passed his lips ; he knew that he was discovered , knew that he was at the mercy of the man before him . " Young men who do such things should show a little more courage than 3 ou appear to possess , " he said , sternly . "Did you , or did you not , forge my name ? Answer me at once , or I will place the matter in the hands of the police . "
The haughtiness of his manner , his cold unflinching tones , aroused the wretched youth—a felon ' s fate flashed swiftly across his mind , and he answered : "I did not , but Lily did . " It was the only hope of salvation , it was the only way of escape , and in that moment he prayed a silent prayer that the admission might save him .
"I don't believe it , " said Sir Richard , hastily , " she is much too good to do such a thing , and without the least knowledge of bill transactions . I am ashamed of you for dragging in the name of your sister , Vernon . I must ask for an interview with her , and in your presence . "
Wrecked.
He rose to go , but Jack sprang from his seat , saying , " For heaven ' s sake do not ; wait a moment , and I will tell you all . " Sir Richard sat down and listened attentively to the narrative truthfully told , but Jack omitted all reference to Harold Hastings ' name on the bill .
Finally he wormed out of Jack the amount of his debts , his cardplaying propensities , nnd the name of the club he played at . Marchester did not underrate his opportunity , he saw that the lever to iears ot
lorgea name was a spiencuci worK on me ijiiian Vernon , and perhaps gain thereby the girl whom he loved , but whose affections had been given to Harold Hastings , and given whilst he was fooling his time away in the country , thinking his title would secure her hand at any time for the asking :.
He left , promising to take no action in the matter , but secretly intending to watch Jack and tell his sister all . Harold Hastings was at Aldershot , and the Jew ' s letter was forwarded to him there . After attentively reading it he decided to run up to town and have an interview with Mr . Cohen at his oflice , which situated in
was a clingy street leaning out or L / ommerciai itoaa . It was with some little difficulty that he found it . He did not like the neighbourhood nor feel flattered by the attention which was bestowed on him by some women , who stood at their doorways gossiping to one another . "Mr . Cohen , I presume , " he said , as soon as ho had closed the door , addressing one whom he knew to be a descendant of the ra . t . rinrohs bv his Jewish features .
The Jew assented with a smile . He always smiled on strangers , especially if they were well dressed . "I am Captain Hastings . I have your letter . These little matters of business must be attended to , but I always forget tho date of my bills . You omitted to tell me the amount . Can I see it , and make a note now ? " and he took out his pocket-book with a very businesslike air .
" Certainly , " said Mr . Cohen , pleased to think that it would be met in due course , and he unlocked his safe and produced it . Captain Hastings looked at the amount , made a note of it , the day that it was drawn , turned it over , saw that he was the accepter of the bill , and that Sir Richard Marchester ' s name was on it .
• ' 1 suppose , my triend , Mr . Vernon , brings you a good many bills ? " he said , carelessly . " This is the first with your name on that he has brought , " said
the Jew , evading the question . 'I notice Mr . Vernon procured a backer to the bill . Did you consider that necessary , and have you given him notice , too ? " he asked , with some concern . " I have ; his name was on it when Mr . Vernon brought it here ; we always like two good names , sir , " and the Jew smiled again . " I shall meet the bill , do not trouble Sir Richard Marchester
about it any more , I will he here the day it falls due . Good morning , Mr . Cohen , " and he walked out of his ollice , apparently undisturbed . It was late in the afternoon when ho arrived at Lilian ' s home , but he was fortunate enough to meet Jack on the threshold of the door , another minute nnd he would have missed him . Grasping him warml y b y the hand he said , "Jack , my boy , I want you a moment . Is Lil y at home ? " "No , " he answered , "she is out making afternoon calls . "
" 1 should like a cup of tea—you can preside . He closed the door , and they went upstairs together . Tea was immediately served . After the servant had withdrawn Harold remarked in the most casual manner he could assume : " Jack , what on earth mado you take that bill to the Jew Cohen , and who put my name on it ? "
" I did , " said Jack , " I wanted money to pay a pressing debt . I know I am ruined . God help me unless I win onongh next week to nay it . "
Harold looked at the youth , a look full of tenderness and pity , puzzled for the moment what to say . " Have you no cash to pay it , or do you intend to ask Lilian to help you ? "
Ad03402
ST . XMEAXtK'S HOSPITAL FOR FISTULA AND OTHER DISEASES OF THE RECTUM , CITY ROAD , LONDON , E . O . NO LETTER REQUIRED . ENTIRELY FREE . j The Committee are in great DISTRESS because they cannot open all the Wards . They are also very much Tfcf *^ II' l-ig . TigSffSTn-fc because there are over 300 Patients waiting for admission . it is DISTHESSI 1 VG to know that there are Wards and suffering Patients waiting to go into them but NO FUNDS to carry them on . Annual Subscriptions and Donations will be most thankfull y received b y the Treasurer ( R . BIDOULHI MARTIN , Esq ., M . P . ) , G 2 , Lombard Street , E . C , or by the Secretary at the Hospital . EDGAR PENMAN , SECREWIV .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Wrecked.
her own inner consciousness by a mere trick of self-deceptive imagination . "There , " said Lilian , holding up a sheet of notepaper , " I have covered it all over and am quite an expert , am I not ? " and she smiled triumphantly at her cleverness .
" They are good , Lily . Now for a trial on the same piece of paper . This is all used up . I have a piece in my pocket-book , " and lie took out the blank piece of blue paper , and wrote plainl y Harold Hastings . " Can you do as well as that ? " It was something to be proud of or why did he look so proud of his feat ; she would try to excel in her imitation of the signature she was about to copy , she thought .
" Better than yours , Jack , " she said , holding up the paper , comparing the two . " If Richard Marchester were to see that I wonld defy him to say it was not his own signature . " " It is good , " Jack replied , looking intently at it .
The debt of honour was vanishing away . Tea was brought in at that moment , and he quickly put the paper in his pocket , while his sister was occupied in removing some needlework from a table , on which she directed the servant to place the tray .
That evening the body of the paper was filled in , " Two months after date , " and next day was discounted by a Jew well known for his generosity in lending monej 7 , but at an exorbitant interest . The debt of honour was duly discharged , and Jack Vernon went on card-playing with more or less success for the next few weeks . Then a period of loss ensued , his luck deserted him , and the week before the bill was due he had Avon but very few pounds wherewith to take it up .
In his perplexit y he again called on the Jew and endeavoured to renew the bill , but his anxiety was so great that the Jew became suspicious , and finally put him off with a promise to obtain it from his bankers , and to communicate with him respecting its renewal . That night Mr . Cohen wrote to Captain Hastings and Sir Richard Marchester apprising them of the date when the bill fell due . He did not , however , inform either that the other ' s name was upon it .
When Sir Richard opened his letter he was furions , but b y degrees his anger cooled—cooled very perceptibly when he imagined that he saw the means to break off the engagement with Harold Hastings . Unscrupulous and deceitful he consoled his conscience on this occasion with the proverb that " all is fair in love and war . "
Immediately after breakfast he called at the Kensington mansion , asked to see Mr . Vernon , and was at once show into a room , where he found Jack smoking a pipe , with a pint of champagne before him . Jack ' s face looked somewhat wan and haggard , his eyes were blurred for want of sleep , and slightl y bloodshot .
Sir Richard greeted him rather stillly , handing him the Jew ' s letter , and asking for an explanation as soon as he had seated himself .
Jack read the letter and sank bnck in the armchair in which he was sitting , trembling violently . Not a word passed his lips ; he knew that he was discovered , knew that he was at the mercy of the man before him . " Young men who do such things should show a little more courage than 3 ou appear to possess , " he said , sternly . "Did you , or did you not , forge my name ? Answer me at once , or I will place the matter in the hands of the police . "
The haughtiness of his manner , his cold unflinching tones , aroused the wretched youth—a felon ' s fate flashed swiftly across his mind , and he answered : "I did not , but Lily did . " It was the only hope of salvation , it was the only way of escape , and in that moment he prayed a silent prayer that the admission might save him .
"I don't believe it , " said Sir Richard , hastily , " she is much too good to do such a thing , and without the least knowledge of bill transactions . I am ashamed of you for dragging in the name of your sister , Vernon . I must ask for an interview with her , and in your presence . "
Wrecked.
He rose to go , but Jack sprang from his seat , saying , " For heaven ' s sake do not ; wait a moment , and I will tell you all . " Sir Richard sat down and listened attentively to the narrative truthfully told , but Jack omitted all reference to Harold Hastings ' name on the bill .
Finally he wormed out of Jack the amount of his debts , his cardplaying propensities , nnd the name of the club he played at . Marchester did not underrate his opportunity , he saw that the lever to iears ot
lorgea name was a spiencuci worK on me ijiiian Vernon , and perhaps gain thereby the girl whom he loved , but whose affections had been given to Harold Hastings , and given whilst he was fooling his time away in the country , thinking his title would secure her hand at any time for the asking :.
He left , promising to take no action in the matter , but secretly intending to watch Jack and tell his sister all . Harold Hastings was at Aldershot , and the Jew ' s letter was forwarded to him there . After attentively reading it he decided to run up to town and have an interview with Mr . Cohen at his oflice , which situated in
was a clingy street leaning out or L / ommerciai itoaa . It was with some little difficulty that he found it . He did not like the neighbourhood nor feel flattered by the attention which was bestowed on him by some women , who stood at their doorways gossiping to one another . "Mr . Cohen , I presume , " he said , as soon as ho had closed the door , addressing one whom he knew to be a descendant of the ra . t . rinrohs bv his Jewish features .
The Jew assented with a smile . He always smiled on strangers , especially if they were well dressed . "I am Captain Hastings . I have your letter . These little matters of business must be attended to , but I always forget tho date of my bills . You omitted to tell me the amount . Can I see it , and make a note now ? " and he took out his pocket-book with a very businesslike air .
" Certainly , " said Mr . Cohen , pleased to think that it would be met in due course , and he unlocked his safe and produced it . Captain Hastings looked at the amount , made a note of it , the day that it was drawn , turned it over , saw that he was the accepter of the bill , and that Sir Richard Marchester ' s name was on it .
• ' 1 suppose , my triend , Mr . Vernon , brings you a good many bills ? " he said , carelessly . " This is the first with your name on that he has brought , " said
the Jew , evading the question . 'I notice Mr . Vernon procured a backer to the bill . Did you consider that necessary , and have you given him notice , too ? " he asked , with some concern . " I have ; his name was on it when Mr . Vernon brought it here ; we always like two good names , sir , " and the Jew smiled again . " I shall meet the bill , do not trouble Sir Richard Marchester
about it any more , I will he here the day it falls due . Good morning , Mr . Cohen , " and he walked out of his ollice , apparently undisturbed . It was late in the afternoon when ho arrived at Lilian ' s home , but he was fortunate enough to meet Jack on the threshold of the door , another minute nnd he would have missed him . Grasping him warml y b y the hand he said , "Jack , my boy , I want you a moment . Is Lil y at home ? " "No , " he answered , "she is out making afternoon calls . "
" 1 should like a cup of tea—you can preside . He closed the door , and they went upstairs together . Tea was immediately served . After the servant had withdrawn Harold remarked in the most casual manner he could assume : " Jack , what on earth mado you take that bill to the Jew Cohen , and who put my name on it ? "
" I did , " said Jack , " I wanted money to pay a pressing debt . I know I am ruined . God help me unless I win onongh next week to nay it . "
Harold looked at the youth , a look full of tenderness and pity , puzzled for the moment what to say . " Have you no cash to pay it , or do you intend to ask Lilian to help you ? "
Ad03402
ST . XMEAXtK'S HOSPITAL FOR FISTULA AND OTHER DISEASES OF THE RECTUM , CITY ROAD , LONDON , E . O . NO LETTER REQUIRED . ENTIRELY FREE . j The Committee are in great DISTRESS because they cannot open all the Wards . They are also very much Tfcf *^ II' l-ig . TigSffSTn-fc because there are over 300 Patients waiting for admission . it is DISTHESSI 1 VG to know that there are Wards and suffering Patients waiting to go into them but NO FUNDS to carry them on . Annual Subscriptions and Donations will be most thankfull y received b y the Treasurer ( R . BIDOULHI MARTIN , Esq ., M . P . ) , G 2 , Lombard Street , E . C , or by the Secretary at the Hospital . EDGAR PENMAN , SECREWIV .