The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-05-07
CHAPTER VII.
MY STERY.

MYSTERY.
The snow fell deep that night. 1t was
the first wintry storm of the season, bu
the over-freighted clouds lowered low
until dawn, and field, forest and farm
lay clothed in robe Of spotless white
when day broke.
There was not tremor in the form OF
Farmer John as he came down to tn,
breakfast table, not the culver Of {
muscle was visible in his sturdy face.
He was even cheerful, and he spoke
to the hands and to Ralph Prescott as il
nothing in the world had happened t.
disturb the serenity of the home circle
as if the vacant chair at his side did MOI
exist.
If the iron had pierced his soul he haC
cauterized the jagged wound with the
pride. stubbornnesS and endurance that
would have made of him an excellent
martyr in the days when they burned
men at the stake.
He gave his orders calmly. When he
apportioned Ruths customary work tc
the dairymaid there was not the token
OF q tremor in his voice.
Anxious-faccd Ralph Prescott APP
preached him as he hustled to the door
in his great coat.
Mr. Elliott, he said timidly, Il want
to speak to you--'
About that girl?' demanded Elliott
turning sharply.
About Ruth-ycs. You know"
Stop. I forbid YOU ever to mention
her name under this roof again. She is
as dead to me as if she We're buried
fathoms deep in the sea. I'm sorry for
you, my boy, but you and l must Try
and work some comfort out Of the mud
die u lying thief and a disobcdicnt
daughter have left us in.
Ralph Prescott looked glum and then
crafty. Affairs were bad, decidedly so.
He had lost Ruth. 4 far more sordid
thought oppressed his mind just now,
however. Would he lose old Godfrey
Forsythe's money as we'll?
He wandered about restlessly that
day, over the farm, through the village.
There was no trace OF Ruth. The storm
might have swallowed her up, for all the
clue the most persistent inquiry brou sht
as to her Whereabouts.
She's gone with him, muttercd Pres
colt, sourly. They We're married, sure
enough and legally enough. for the
minister says SO. Paul Dalton has won
the prize, but if l can win the
money
He reflected over that phase of the
case for many hourse. Old Godfrey, as
he understood it, had left his fortune
equally divided between himself and
Ruth. That Of course had the tacit con-
dition attached that they would cvcntu-
ally we'd one another.
Now, as soon as the old reclusc un-
dcrstood the new complications in
affairs, he might make an entirely dir
ferent disposition of his wealth.
He was whimsical and crotchety.
Getting older, he disliIsed to be dis
turbcd.
Since he talked to me about that
money lost at gambling, that some busy
body told him about. he hasn't been 50
bland to me-" soIiloquiHei the anxious
Prescott Il half believe, if he did not
think ! was to marry Ruth, he'd change
the will, and cut me off without q shil-
ling. | only wish he'd die while the
will stands in my favor' Had | better
go and see him? l viii. l must look
sharp or III find myself in a pretty bad
position. My revenge, Bah! Matters
are far worse for me than before | tried
to down that miscrcant Of a Dalton.
I've lost everything, and he has gained
everything he was after-the girl.
Ralph Preston did go to the home of
the rccluse. He found Godfrey proppcd
up in bed, and looking like a man at his
last gasp.
He greeted his visitor GROSSLY, and
with a searching glance that Prescott
did not like.
You don't seem 10 be feeling as We'll
as usual, Uncle Godfrey" suggested
Ralph.
Not" snapped the recluse. DO you
think anyone is worrying very much
about me?"
"Why-'
"Oh, | know you all. Waiting for my
shoes after I'm dead.
Hadn't better stay and help you till
you get better?'
I've got help"
What you've GOT
"A nurse. What are YOU staring at?
Am 1 begrudsed that little outlay, III my
old age?"
Ralph Prescott was silent. none the
less amazed. For ten years the recluSe
had tabooed all kinds OF help.
The schemer caught sight of a femin-
inc form III the next room, her somber
black dress, colored spectacles, and
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- &c.,
49, M 80, - 49, b ,,11 noi+t oo;,1o
~ on+o ,,. ~ III orns+r hos+ ana ho
. ~ -, 49, YEA, '''''' -'1
WI AZ -, 80 NJ. ~, 1oo1..o 90 +hi -
,,,,,-+o -o,1 ''>o '-'> ''''>7 u ''''''7> iie
iAut'' -,
ne llked II less ina, evening 5li \ chum
at the tavern informed nm that Ola
GeohreS h3d seht tIlat afternoon lor ms
lawyer ana 'ha' later doctor had been
hastily suminoned: ,, -,
l m gong 10 nave TAX with oid
Elioll so-nlsnt . I nlu7ed ireseol': l M
utn'5 ~ NioT ~ - - ~ 49, d ,ol 'ril
~ i-o'lt 1iI. 80 go. anu We.
l''aeS. a. a. ",.i'' az u - o"s y ss,
s srnIr o"' u 'ii1 "ie'N III sumo
"@ Thara uos >, alarm, ~ ,1orro Loot
r., I,,,,,, - $50 80
a H. hoi non,a 80 fr",, l,'' al
co,frraI, :, - bos+a -lo'i' 'A'
TIL in,-oliT 80 f,.;pc no eoid ,,d
when Farmer l.,' John reached the lonely
house in -ba viIl,[,a tho oId man had