Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1892-04-21
CHAPTER Nv.
DENOUNCED.

The scene that ensued to the wild
declaration of Farmer John was q start
ling tableau.
Somewhere back in Paul Walton's
life there had been time when that
proud spirit of his would have sprang to
arms in flash, at the touch of the goad
of injustice.
His flashing eyes, his quickening
breath showed it now, as with clenched
hands he strobe forward, as if to lay the
author Of the daring accusation at his
feet.
Then, with superb control, and re-
Wondering that his accuser was the
father OF the woman he loved, the young
man folded his arms calmly and said, in
clear, steady tones:
"Mr. Elliott, you will regret those I'M
just words. You are laboring under
some honest mistake. l am no thief.
John Elliott tried to crush the speaker
with a single look of utter incredulity
and contempt.
Then, firm in the conviction that au-
dacious hypocrisy deserved its fate,
with merciless roughness he told his
story.
He had missed various sums of money
for month past, first tritle, then quito
Il large amount.
Some one was in the habit Of feloni-
ously entering his room and rifing tho
cabinet in which he kept his money.
At six o clock that evening he had Wis.,
tied his room, assured himself of the
exact contents of the cabinet, and had
locked it securely.
Since then, no one had gone into the
upper portion of the house except tho
accused.
At this statement, Dalton's lips moved
as if to speak. Then with a start and q
glance at Ruth, he allowed it to GO I'M
contradicted.
When he went up stairs to obtain the
money for the men, Farmer John per-
ceived to his amazement, as he opened
the cabinet, that two packages OF bank
notes, representing nearly four hundred
dollars, were missing.
" He had entertained grave suspicious
Of his superintendent before. Impulse
drove him to enter his room. A disar-
ranged pillow on the bed directed q
search. Beneath it he had found-one
of the packages, the one now in his
hand.
More than that, on the floor of tho
room he had picked up key. 1t fitted
to the cabinet. Paul Dalton was an ac-
complished thief.
You entered my room tonight, was
the unwavering accusation; you stole
the money"
He is Innocent"
A wild, convincing cry, expanding
with the certainty of proof, sentient with
the trustfulness of q loving woman's
heart, the words rang forth from Ruth
Elliott's lips.
She knew! Oh! with happy, fervent
delight she realized the frail rock of
certainty upon which her prejudiced
father had erected stupendous fabric
of suspicion.
Girl" scowled Elliott angriIy, Il told
you once that this is no concern Of
yours.
NO, it is mine alone" interrupted
Walton quickly. Ruth, he whispered
unanimously, silence! To reveal the
truth in his present mood, would invoke
his deepest anger.
With a moan Ruth Elliott sank to q
chair, her face colorless, her heart tiutter
ing like an imprisoned bird.
Paul Walton had spoken truly. He
was innocent; she knew it. He had not
been near his room that evening. A
loving tryst at the moonlit glade had
filled in those two precious hours, and
her lips were sealed, because he had
babe her be silent.
But he was innocent. Oh, the joy of
it! Standing there, accused, mute for
her sake, her heart went out to him in
strengthened love.
You can give up the other package of
money or not, as you choose, spoke
Farmer John. Il shall not have you
arrested on account OF your past serv-
ices, but you must leave this house to-
night; you must go at once.
Innocent or guilty?" murmured Wal
ton.
Innocent? Does the key show il
Does hidden plumber show it?"
Il never saw key or money before.
Some one placed them in my room, some
enemy"
"Bah," scornfully interrupted Elliott,
you have heard my decision-go!"
He shall not go.
Trembling oil over, yet with resolute
face, Ruth stole to the side of her accused
lover
She caught his hand in her own. Love,
unmistakable, unhidden from all the
world, spoke in her words, manner, and
attitude.
Are you crazy?" exclaimed her father,
staring vaguely at her glowing face.
Girl" in terrible tone of suspicion,
what does this mean?"
1T means that I know him to be in
nocent-that, in one word, can prove it.
He did not steal your money because he
was not in the house to-night-he was
was not in the house Tonight
Ruth-Ruth, silence! Do you not see
that this will anger him"
L will speak! He was not in the house,
because he met me at the stile. Re met
me there because our roth is plighted,
and l love him against ali The world,
against all your cruel unjus. accusa-
tons"
She flung herself into his arms as she