Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-03-09

She could scarcely comprehend tho
rare success OF her imposture as, later
that evening, she sat In tho boudoir OF
the suite Of rooms apportioned TO her In
the old mansion,
Not breath Of suspicion had been
aroused, Placldly, unequlvocally had
old Mr.. Ralston accepted her as the
child he had not seen since infancy.
Hor past, like his own, he would never
seek to probe or revive. Yesterday was
as dead and gone rs tho ages past
Here sho could change her own idontl-
ty In the undlsputed possession OF n
royal fortune. Ralston dead, that for
tune acquired, and with her youth,
beauty and intelligence, she could go
out into the world and become queen
among women, tread velvet path
through llfe--she, the poor, obscure
teacher on half-pay, the friendless
drudge OF Hopedale Seminary.
Yet there was canker ut the heart
OF the rose. Conscience did not trouble
her. She even justified her fraudulent
representations. No, all she thought OF,
ali that disturbed her was memory OF
the man she loved.
How she loved him still How the
handsome, animated face of Raymond
Marshall haunted her,
For his sake did II ALL" she muir
INJURED, tumultuously. lie must benefit
by it all. How Ali patience, my
eager hear Ihold the strings of destiny!
II | make no mlsstep, fortune and love
are both mine In the end.
Her rooms had been papered for her
with Infinite care. They were more than
luxurious, they were elegant. The
steward and housekeeper were the
sole servants, but they attended like
mute slaves to her every caprice as the
days went by.
Ralston was not exactlng. He asked
an hour or two Of her time each day to
read to him in the garden, or play for
him in the great somber drawing room
on the piano. Ever under the shadow
of some great fear, he never left the
walled grounds Of the estate, and re-
quested her to conilne her long drives
to the unfrequentcd roads leading away
from the village.
A week passed thus, then the novelty
of her new life began to wear away.
The false Alice Ralston, the real Bea-
trice Mercer, began to grow restless,
anxious, moody.
Then she fell to plotting. If she
could only drag from that past life the
object Of her love, Raymond Marshall,
she would be content.
you are getting wearied Of the lone
Illness here, fear" spoke Ralston,
anXiOuSly, one evening.
No, father.
you are deceivlng me. ! can read it
in your face. 1 caught you crying yes
terday. Speak, my child, II you have
any secret sorrow.
The yelled eyes of the siren glowed
triumphantly. The hour had come for
q master-stroke Of flnesse.
Shall tell you the truth, even if it
disturbs your" asked Beatrice, in low,
purring tone.
Always, my dear,
II am happy here, only there is q
chapter in my past that haunts me,
pursued the false-hearted Beatrice.
have friends whom l love, whom / left
in poverty, trouble. Father, if had
the means to visit them, to place them
in position beyond want, | would re-
turn here satisfied, never to leave you
again.
you mean this, my daughter"
Il mean it, father
"As l understand it, you wish to go to
these frends-to bid them final fare
well, and to enrich them?"
yes.
He led her to u room guarded with an
iron door With key he unlocked
cabinet 1t was stored with money
coin, bank notes, bonds
Yours" he said generously; all
yours. Take what you want. | shall
never ask how much, nor care. Deal as
literally with your friends as you like,
only-must you go to them?"
al must, father"
"Alone?"
Il will be careful-nothing will hap,
pen to me.
Al shall worry-your absence will tor
ture me.
Not for long. OH dear father, you
make me happy in enabling me to make
my dearest friends happy. Let me go
at once-to-night, tomorrow. In a
week-two, at the farthest l shall re-
turn. Then I shall forget them-all the
world save you.
She had carried her point The first
important step in the plot of her life
was accomplished.
AS the next morning, a little money
filled sachel in her hand, she left the
mansion bound for Hopedale, her con-
fldent heart told her that she would
never return until she had won the man
she loved.
ITO BE CONTINUED.