Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-21
CHAPTER III.
A STARTLING ACCUSATION.

cast askance chances at their master.
Farmer John was "out O sorts" Sin
the dumps, with temper Exceedingly
contrariwise, and a face that lowered
like rain-fringed cloud.
All that day he barely spoke to Ruth:
he treated Dalton with gruff incivility;
and woe betide the laborer whom he
caught Sinking his duty.
"Wheat's gone down.
mo; he's been caught on a bad horse
trade"
"Mebbe it's Dalton. He's getting
rather spoony on the girl, and you know
Farmer John has set his heart on q
match with Ralph Prescott"
These and like gossipy explanations
floated on the air-aIl very far from the
true solution to the mystery of Farmer
Johns bad temper, however.
Meantime with Ralph Prescott nurs-
ing and developing his spite, and Farmer
John storing up wrath for a near eXplo-
sion, there were two happy, unconscious
souls that saw only gold in the dazzling
sunshine, and fanced the songs of the
birds the sweetest music, in harmony
with hearts vibrating to new and delight
full emotions.
They loved, these two, Ruth and
Paul; they had loved long and purely,
but in uneXpressed fervor. Now, with
the revelation of the white violets, their
eyes spoke; tell-tale flush, an ardent
glance, d murmured term Of endear-
ment brought them to the threshold Of
LIES sweetest, hottest experience.
If a memory of q false position and
mysterious past Swallowed the lover S
heart momentarily he drove it away.
If a thought of the stern will of the
cratic grandsre, of her stubborn father,
with eyes blinded to the deficiencies Of
Ralph Prescott. came to Ruth S mind she
botted it out with a realization OF the
great bliss that had come into her life to
ovcrshadow it all.
so these two golden hearts, with I'M
seen barriers already placed between
them glided on to tho bitter fate that
mans subtlety and the workings Of q
stern, merciless destiny were weaving
for them.
I'll not speak," muttered Farmer
John as he entered the house for supper,
III not make a mistake and accuse an
innocent man. I'll wait once more. [
should miss a penny the way [ have
fixed things, and I'll watch again. The
next thief who visits my room gets
caught"
He was silent and unsocial all the
evening meal. Had he been less
absorbed in his grim suspicious
thoughts of those present, however,
he would have noted the lurking figure
of Ralph Prescott as he stole into the
house and then stole out of it again.
The meal over, with quick glance at
Ruth, Paul Dalton left the room.
The farmer supposed he had gone to
his own apartment and sat down to read
the weekly newspaper.
At his task-for it was such that even
ing, with his mind torn with conflicting
doubts-Farmer John moved restlessly,
lay down the paper, took 1t up again,
pondered, dozed and finally fell into
nap.
He was aroused about nine o'clock by
the entrance of Paul Dalton, apparently
from up stairs.
A minute later Ruth appeared, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes vaguely ques-
tioning the keen glance her father fast
ened upon her.
About to ask her If she had been to
visit girl friend on the next farm, John
Elliott was interrupted by the entrance
of two farm hands.
They had decided to leave his employ
with the morning, and, according to
agreement had come for their pay.
Better stay in a comfortable home for
the winter, boys, spoke Elliott, always
considerate to his help.
No, the men were obdurate. They
had quite a little store Of savings, and
their ambition was to try the attractions
in the way of moueymaking of the
great. magnetic city.
All right. What do I owe your
queried the farmer.
He'll tell, he's got it all down in
black and white" returned one of the
men, with a nod to Paul, whose figures
never made mistake in their admiring
conviction.
Paul got down the books and stated
the amount. Farmer John took out his
keys, and, lamp in hand, proceeded to
his room upstairs.
Those below heard startled cry a
minute later Then the angry tramp OF
hurried mans feet, and John Elliott
re-entered the room.
His face was white with passion, his
eyes were terrible. Absorbed with some
overwhelming emotion, he seemed on
the verge of choking.
In one hand he bore the lamp, in the
other, roll of bank-notes. Placing the
lamp on the table, trembling like leaf,
q pent-up volcano Of rage, he counted
olt several of the bills, and extended
them to the wondering Paul Dalton.
There's your months pay" he said,
in a tone that grated on Ruth's alarmed
ears until she shuddered. Take it,
pack your traps and go"
Mr. Elliott" cried Dalton, in dunn
founded bewilderment, what does this
mean?'
Coz snapped the farmer, savagely.
Be wise, young man, don't tempt me to
speak! You know why. I've found you
out Go, while you may. before l for
Ees mat you were once honest, once
aelp to me. Col"