Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-05-12
CHAPTER TX.
THE LETT Err.

Ralph Prescott stood srell-bound,
overwhelmed. He knew the woman in
that room; he had met a surprise most
startling; he had recognized the false
nurse as the last person in the world he
had ever expected to see in those SOM
Der habilimentS.
1T is she What does il mean? What
can it mean? Oh, this is bewildering,
improbable.
She? Yes; the one woman in the world
who filled his minds thoughts to the
exclusion Of all others. Shc-Ruth! the
dieowned the wife Of another, the heir
oss Of Maple Loaf Farm.
There could be no doubt as to her
identity; thoro could be no mistake;
there was no need of u second glance.
The same pure, soulful eyes looked
forth, only a trile saddcr than of yore;
the fresh bloom Of roses on the pearly
check w&s the same, only II trace OF the
canker of care had pacd it almost inn
pcrccptibly. Resolution compressed the
lips slightly, anxiety broodcd on the fair
brow, but-Ruth Elliott was there!
What did it mean?
From wondermcnt to flashing suspi-
ci on the thoughts of the enrapt lulller
passed rapidly.
Ruth Elliott was here, had been here
Ior over week. She had passed the
Cynosure Of curious eyes with her idcn-
tity unguesscd; but had not Godfrey
Forsytho known her-had not he posi-
bly, even suggested the disguise?
II so----- In the bcwildcring iugglery
of surmisc, doubt, and speculation Ralph
Prescott lost himself.
Here indeed, was n myStcry-a myS-
b tory with n motive, surcly--a motive
that had made Of a tmid, shrinking girl
Il bold, rcsolute woman. For sweet
loves sake she had undertaken u mon
strous imposition; but why and where
fore the tangible issue os it all?
It's beyond mo- can't understand
it," breathcd the lurkcr. But | will
know, Where there is secrecy there is
mystery, whore mystery, plot. |
thought myself Il master hand, and this
Girl-shc has outwittcd, defeated,
crushed me utterly"
He drew back from the window as he
saw that she slcpt. His sinister face
Expressed every emotion III tho gamut
of u schcmng rascals mind-avarice
suspicion, love, hate, venSciul persist
cnCy.
For an hour he ruminatcd alono in
about him. Tho brooding clouds all in
spjrod him to subtloty and plotting.
He approached tho broken shutter
again. Ruth slumbcrcd.
Il will act with caution" he muttorod
grimly. A sudden conformation might
precipitate flight / will watch and
wait-but--I must know what her con-
tinued presence hero means. ] must
know her scheme. | must balll its out
come, if possible. The letter she was
writing.-that may reveal all. II |
could only get glimpse at that"
Prescott approached the unshutterod
window of the vacant apartment. The
door of communication with the adjoin-
ing one was closed securely. Ruth
.slumbcrcd profoundly.
He was an adept at sncakinG into tho
house after lato hours, u natural burg
lar, too.
With his pock,t-knio and a rustcd
piece of hoop, he forced the catch and
pricd up the window sash.
The next moment he was in the room
On tip-toe he advanced to the stand
where the written sheets lay outspread.
Eagerly he took them up. His eltsh
eyes scanned their contents.
The Joy Of Il great gloating eXuta-
ton came into his eyes as he read the
story of a woman's struggle for the
right of a woman's faith in a loved ones
fidelity.
For the letter told ALT cast light on
darkness it constituted the history OF
rs singular an exploit rs ever fell under
the eyes of mortal man.