The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-06-04

the law, IL criminal accused by Il stern
Judge, could not have exhibited more
emotion than did the man whom Ralph
Prescott hal accepted as Paul Dalton,
at the soul-thrilling words OF the excited
Ruth Elliott.
Strang. words they wero-wild words,
bordering seemingly on incoiierency.
Were they the result Of Authorization,
dclirum? MOI As the rapt lnrher
studied the face of the beautiful girl, nc
knew that the penetrating gaze OF rea-
son. The great throbbing instinct of love,
had aided her to see beyond the super
fetal, and had unmaskci viliainy.
In plain words, she accused this man
with being an impoStor. In awful ar
raiGnment before tn" bar OF her womaniy
conviction, she charged him with the
crime of robhing her ot her husband.
Then he was not Paul Dalton, not her
husband, not the disappointment OF
Maple Leaf Farm, He was an impostor,
Il fraud, and, as the truth flashed upon
Ralph Prcsc0tt'S excited mind, he now
comprehen,icd many vague and p"rp!eX-
ing ut.eranccs that he hal overheard
him use during the evenful evening just
past.
Furthermore, as he gazcd, h mar
vclcd how he could ever have taken this
man for Ia Il Dalton. There was mar
Vicious Resemblance, bat OF features
alone. for the disSimilarity in soul, III
expression, was utterly lacking.
What had sided to deceive Prescott
was the shaving off of the beard. lh.S
prcl AIRED him for Il change III looks. AS
10 the voice, Il slight cold might account
for the htIskiness that made this Paul
Daltoa talk SO differently from the
other, the real Paul Dalton.
Y,s, there could be no doubt of it, the
truth was out. the plottcr unmaskci
frau revealed that completely outvled
all Ralph Prcseott's pueriic villatny.
This man, a relative o. Paul Dalton,
man at least exactly resembling him,
had heard OF his legacy. lie had inn
yrisoncd the real heir; the bearded man,
his accompl.ce, was his iaiier; he had
boldly assumed Paul Daton'S identity;
he was sche;uing to secure the Forsythc
fortune and fly with it, leaving the real
lega ca Il beggar.
The bawiIdering complications that
were thus put in play made Ralph Pres
cots brain fairly reel with surnise and
uncertainty.
The false Paul Dalton covered like q
craven before the flashing glance Of
Ruth Elliott. 4 woman's shrnwdness
had penetrated his bold assumption OF
the identity OF the man he res cmbCI 50
extraordinarily.
He had dcludcd Prescott and the Inv
yer, but now ho was uEma5kcd, and one
word publicly spoken by the woman be-
fore him would not only cost him Il for
tune but might send him to Il penal
institution.
That word, however, was never
spoken. OF Il sudden, the nerves o tho
agitatcd Euth gave way, the strain Of
the hour becoming too intense for her
already w 'akGnc,l nature. With moan
she sank scn-cIess To the floor. The
impu7tor glanced IS her aifrightedly for
il moment or two, and then with n white,
scared face, hurried from the room.
Ralph Prescott vas after him in a
flash. He directed hurric Injunction
10 the woman wao was Attending Ruth
TO .ool IL her charge, then he was dash
ing from tn house III pursuit OF q figure
FIXING down the deserted street, as il
pursued by pestilenec.
stop"
As the impostor dashed across a
vacant lir-lined lot the mandate rang out
clear, sharp, imperious.
He was trembling all over, his face
| was the color OF ashes, his eyes haunted
with u fearful dread, his manner cowcd,
| crushed; little like that Of the naughty,
insoicnt tyro or tie carly evening, as ho
| turned and faced Ralph Prescott.
The latter, realizing his advantage.
pressed it promptly.
What do you want?'
"Y"u."
oh, pccrins closer, 1T is Prescott
| Give me time 10 catch my breath, man,
He leaned against Il tree and painted
| furiouely. Ralph Prescott watched him
| as might Il cat a mouse. He had cor
ncred his man. lie knew what 10 dc
| now, fast enough.
You We made a mess Of it." he said
b,u0tly. Al last.
Have T." And the other laughed I'M.
| easily, What 90 you mean?"
Il have followed you all the evening.
The imros;ur started.
| L overheard your conversation with
| your aceumplice at the hotel, tbs
| beardc man.
"Newcombe!" calculated the impostor
Ali is that his name? Thank you
| les. Ecwcombe, the iaiIer of the rca
| Paul Dalton at Black Rock"
The shot told Ralph Prescott hat
guessed the truth His companion
| shivcryd ut his words.
You know ALL am lost" he NUT
| tered AT least. the game is"
L furthermore" pursued Prescott
| coo'ly. witnessed your interview viii
Ruth Elliott"
The impo5tor was silent. He wa:
| overwhelmed at the fast-occurring dis
| astcrs Of the night.
Yes, [ know all this" continued
Prescott. L know your plans, and
hold the whip-hand now. No need o
suItarfusa now. You and I had better
come 10 an understanding.
What kind Of an understanding:
| stammcre the abashed impostor.
Well. our interests are Identical, il
one respect.
And what may that bc?"
| odd Godfrey Forsythc'S fortune, lef
| 20 the real Paul Dalton, coveted by YOU
| and righIfuliy my own. l see no mean:
OF rnEa:ning it by fair means. YOU hay,
| sugc ,stcl and pat in force foul onns.
hate Paul Dalton. The first step TO
| ward revenge would be the securing o
| the fortune
1 Well? muttcrcG his auditor vaguely
| IF We can arrive ut a harmonious con
| clusion. can make an equitable arrange
ment, | might lie tempted to allow yol
10 so on with your imposition. At the
| On / OF week. unless l interfere, Vol
| Will receive the legacy from lawye
Drew.
You forgct-that woman may speak.
Ruth Elliott? Sh" may not know o
YOUR plans in that direction
She could dcuounce me-she suspect;
that l have imprisoned her husband"
"Eut she is i'll; the delirium may re
turn, and-see here. my friend. Agrct
10 pay me one-half the fortune wheI
YOU get ii, and | will guarantee to keel
Ruth Elliott silent until the week ha
passed away"
y bargain," cried the other witt
Frightening eyes.
Very we'll But there must be no de
ception, no d0ubie-dcaling.
Am | not completely III your power?
"parbap. SfiIl shall watch w,