The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-19
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1soMETHING UP!n

ana tnaC WOulu 10 you AAoo uo'0'
Yes, 1t would"
"Bigsmy, believe you saidr =,
Yes, and an ugly word 1t ID IN tne
oountry courts, can tell you. 1t ain
like your city divorce courts, and brioed
juries, and corrupt judges-it's the un-
bought, indignant verdict OF honest
man."
Like you and I-eh, PRESCOTT" jeered
the other.
-Nol" fairly choked the plotter, driven
20 the verge Of uncomfortable rage by
the tantaliziDg audacity Of his compan-
Don, farmers and-millers.
&c." purred Dalton. Very good:
Quite joke, Prescott, and he placed
his hand familiarly on Prescott 8
shoulder, while the latter started as II
stung by serpent. We'll, that will be
move one, eh?"
Yes, 1t will"
"Bigamy?"
: Il said it..
i. 1T won't work.
Wont it2"
NO. I see move one, and check
mate it"
DO your"
yes. silence all that babble with a
letter have in my pocket"
From who2"
Never mind that, but 1t shows that
isabel, first wife Of Paul Dalton, died
exactly two months before Paul Dalton
married wife number two. Come on,
Prescott"
With mock friendly familiarity, as II
Shey had been brothers, comrades, all
their lives, Paul Dalton locked arms
with his companion.
The latter was smoldering volcano
Of passion. Chagrin, disappointment,
rage seemed to consume his soul like
TIE blast Of q red-hot furnace.
= The stony-hearted man at his side
little dreamt Of bis peril.
q Had Ralph Prescott been armed he
would have struck his victorious foe his
death blow then and there, made half
frantic by the stinging taunts that fate
seemed to award him at every new move
: he made. e
=. Oh, it was maddening This man was
o demon, a trickster in magic.
He escaped scot-free from nets that
would enmesh and destroy an average
man.
He let others plot, bided his time, and
appeared at O critical moment to put out
his hand and pluck the rich fruit before
him, while the schemer gnashed his
teeth in impotent rage.
" Rather dragged along than led, Ralph
Prescott was forced to accompany the
man who seemed to be the master OF his
fate.
As In a dream, he found himself, ten
minutes later, seated in the library OF
Jc rryifh n l.
ton opposite him, smiling blandly.
= Thought I might want with ess,
spoke the latter, Its no use, Pres
;oott; won't fight with you
Lawyer Drew, prim, severe>and Keen
eyed, entered the room a minute later:
Good evening, Mr.. Prescott; good
evening, Mr.-?"
Dalton"
The lawyer started, and stared sharp
,ly at the last speaker through his gold
Timmed eyeglasses.
.Ah! YES, "he said slowly and dubious
'iy; MIR. Dalton-Mr. Paul Dalton. I
see-I see. The legatee Of my client,
Mr.. Geoffrey Forsythe. believe I
have seen you at Maple Leaf farm?"
Once or twice." assented Dalton,
carelessly.
WOulO uOU udNC huoWh JOos
Il have changed, I suppose"
Remarkably.
We'll, beggary makes man wear q
mask of humility sometimes" was the
bare-fsced admission OF audacity. You
know my business, Mr. Drew
Il can surmise it.
Il come about the Forsythe legacy. I
believe the old gentleman left me quite
q sum-"
Yes. In cash and securities, it ag-
Kregates some S50,000.
y want it."
The lawyer looked grave. He did not
like this young man with his fippant
eyes and aggressive ways.
Il presume you are aware that q
transaction OF this Importance and mag
nitude cannot be consummated In an
hour?" he remarked.
Il don't see why not" interrupted
Dalton inpatiently. 1T was left to me,
wasn't it,"
yes, to Paul Dalton"
And I am Paul Dalton"
Il won't deny that. l can remember
your face well enough for that, and MIR.
Prescott, Of course, knows you, and MIR.
Elliott"
Certainly, sir. So, if am the heir
Z expect the money"
very well: I will consider this a
formal demand and expedite matters as
isuuoh as possible. There are certain
forms to obey, certain papers to execute.
come again in week. Meantime, II
your necessities are pressing"
They are," bluntly admitted Dalton.
II will advance you some money.
How much-fifty-a hundred?"
Two hundred will do"
The lawyer took out his check book
in a week, them" said Dalton, as he
folded up the bit Of paper.
"Yes, we shall be ready for you then.
All these proceedings Ralph Prescott
watched with lowering brows.
He saw money that he had expected to
handle given freely to another: he saw
an almost utter stranger to Geofrey
FOrsythe as claimant Of his fortune.
Oh, it was maddeEing, hate-inspiring.
The DEGREES OF fate We're cruel, unjust!
Say. Prescott, want to cash this
check" said Dalton, as they left the
lawyers house together.
Cash it, then, growled Prescott
Come, don't be wrathy. ! may
throw few hundreds in your way yet.
bear you no iilwill."
Shouldn't think you would, seeing
that you've got all the plums in sight.
Dalton smiled complacently.
That's my good luck, he remarked.
Come; get the check cashed for me.
I've got friend I'm to meet at the
hotel tonight, and I need ready funds.
Keep out tenner for your trouble E: