The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-12
CHAPTER XIII.
WHAT A CHANGEl

The intruder was now fully revealed,
and at him the startled schemer stared
wonderingly.
The first shock Of the strangeness OF
the appearance passed away quickly,
however. 1t did not seem to be because
Paul Dalton had returned, because he
was here, that Prescott was bewildered,
it was the suggestion of the unreal, OF
the uncanny, that had Jared his nerves
and left him a gaping, dubious mar
veler
For there was something unusual,
something unnatural, in the appear ance
Of the intruder.
His lurking actions were rather eau
tious than stealthy, and as he returned
the look OF his challenger it was with an
expression in his eyes entirely foreign
to the Keen, penetrating look that the
former farm superintendent ordinarily
wore.
Again, q few days had made great
change in Paul Walton's features.
He had shaven his face perfectly
clean, his hair had been cropped close,
he dressed in Q loud, affected style.
His eyes seemed to have grown small
er, his face was more puffy. Such
change Ralph Prescott would scarcely
have believed possible had he been told
of it, but personal inspection was his,
and he could only look and wonder.
Into his mind crept solution OF the
mystery, quick and tangible.
Paul Dalton had probably been away
visiting his other wife-seeing other
friends, and had modernized his appear
ance from the farm employe to the pol
lshcd gentleman and villain Of society.
He had heard OF his good fortune,
doubtlessly. He could now throw down
the mask. From the smooth, courteous
hypocrite, he would become the naughty,
domineering tyrant.
Every fine sentiment seemed to have
left his face. He looked like man who
had been dissipat;ng heavily.
In fact, only that the general con-
tour of features was the same, one
might have believed him some person
slightly resembling Paul Dalton, but
by no means the refined, frank-eyed
lover Of Ruth Elliott.
You're Prescott, he remarked, and
the man addressed started vaguely, for
the intonation sounded as if the speaker
had a cold-as little like Paul Dalton as
possible.
However, Prescott scowled, drew back,
and, jerking his head over his shoulders,
eaid:
She's in there"
"She, who? Oh! the girl2"
The intruder edged away little.
Sick to death, supplemented Pros
colt.
Paul Dalton looF relieved.
Il don't care to see her, he said.
1--WE come on business; just got word
about the fortune. See here, Prescott,
where does the lawyer who nodo the
will live?"
"A worse rascal than I thought him!"
muttered Prescott, studying the sensual,
selfish face OF the intruder. He thinks
little enough of Ruth now. Maybe the
fortune was his scheme all along.
never in my life saw avarice change
man so. If I had met him casually I
actually would not have taken him for
Paul Dalton"
Aloud, he did not at once reply to
Dalton. Why should he handy words
with the man who had robbed him o.
bride and booty?
And then, the glow Of sinister curl
osity led him to the semblanco Of
friendly interest.
The lawyer Only a few squares
distant, he replied, finally.
"Show me where"
Don't you wish to see your-your
wife?"
No"
You're in tremendous hurry to grab
your fortune, it seems to mo"
Il am"
Terse, practical, the replies came.
Prescott closed the door of the house.
Come" he said. I'll show you the
way to the lawyer. Say!"
He halted with suspicious start. he
stared piercingly at his companion.
Well" placidly demanded the other.
Its strange you ask me to show you
the way to the lawyers. You knew 1t
we'll enough when you lived here"
"Eh! OF course, why, yes. But, you
see, didn't know which lawyer made
the will, I only got hint Of the for
tune being left me, in a roundabout
way"
"Oh! that's it?"
Exactly"
well, you know the way to old
Drew's. He's the lawyer. One word,
Paul Dalton. I won't go any farther
with you. 80 one word before we part.
"A dozen, if you like"
you and I are mortal enemies-
began Prescott, with lowering brows.
If you will have it so.
"You robbed me Of Ruth Elliott-you
got old Godfrey Forsythe's fortune.
am wronged, plundered man,"
go on, nodded Dalton, with provok-
ing coolness.
Il warn you, now and here, that you
have no right to Forsythe's money.
warn you, now and here, that you will
have to fight for its possession" contin-
ued Prescott, hotly.
Very good, I'll fight for it then"
You are scoundrel. Your actS show
that you care no more for the hroken-
hearted girl dying in yoDder house than
for the dirt under your feet. T warn
you to leave hereto renoTnce the for
tune rightfully hers and mine, Or"
Well, young man, or what?" "biaHd!y
demanded Paul Dalton-this new Paul
Dalton, all avarice, all heartlessntss.
i shall make my first move"
And that move will be?"
Your arrest for bigamy!" cried Ralph
Prescott. With flaming eyes: Haunting
before his companion the copied mar
riage certificate, that proved Paul Dsl.
ton to be the husband of two wives.