The Argosy — page 218: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

202 Recallections of a Governess. She read aloud— “Dear Sir,—Lieut. Dacre, —th Hussars, has presented the enclosed cheque from you. The amount is so large, we are unwilling to cash it without hearing from yourself. As Lieut. Dacre is known to us, we supplied him to the amount of £2,000, and should be glad to have your instructions at your earliest convenience.—Your obedient servants, Drawbill and Co.” “TI don’t understand,” said Helen, when she finished reading, ‘* you said you sent a cheque for £1,000, and they have given him ¥£ 2,000. What is it? I don’t understand.” He opened the cheque slowly and placed it on the table before her. She read again : ‘Messrs. Drawbill and Co.—Please pay on demand to Lieutenant Edward Dacre, the sum of. She looked up hurriedly. “This is not ove thousand, it is fen thou- sand,” she said. ‘ You have made a mistake !” ‘IT wish to Heaven I had,” returned Mr. Crayford slow . ‘Then who has ?” ‘¢ I much regret to tell you, the ‘one’ has been altered into ‘ten.’ In the figures, the cipher has been added by "——and he stopped. ‘¢By whom, sir?” she asked, her eyes flashing. “ By Edward himself,” he answered, not looking at her. She was recalled by Mr. Crayford’s voice. ‘ He should have had it. Large sum though it be, he should have had it! If he had only asked me, he should have had it—he need not have committed forgery.”’ “‘ Forgery,” repeated Helen, “ forgery !” Was it a dream? What was it? Poor child, she pushed back the hair from her forehead and recalled her scattered senses. It was true —it was quite real. ‘“ Forgery!” she said again. ‘‘ Indeed, yes, and what I now wish 1s, to consider how the conse- quences of this rash act may be averted,” replied Mr. Crayford. ‘‘ He could not remain in the army, and take his trial for forgery.” “Oh, Mr. Crayford,” said my poor child, hiding her face in her hands, ‘‘it would kill my father.” He made no reply. She suddenly looked up, ‘‘ He has not had @// the money ; they gave him £2,000, you see, not all. They are waiting for your orders, don’t you see? White to them; say, they are to give no more ; won't that do ?” she asked, eagerly. ‘The act is the same,” said Mr. Crayford, slowly. ‘‘ Listen to me. I am quite willing to keep silent, and let this sad, rash folly of your brother’s be a secret between you and me. I will tell my bankers it is my cheque. Anything you please, on one condition—I must have my reward |” : It was coming—I knew what he meant, and I could do nothing for my child! ECORNICLOOO SS (CO) in —_)