The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-06-28
HEARTS OF Cold;
The Heiress of Maple
Leaf Farm.
r .-B Y
S.,.sasrr ..-
GENEVIEVE ULMER.

CHAPTER VII.


The snow fell deep that nlgnC. IL Was
the first wintry storm Of the season, bu
the over-freighted clouds lowered low
until dawn, and field, forest and farm
lay clothed in a robe Of spotless white
when day broke.
There was not tremor In the form o!
Farmer John as he came down to tht
breakfast table, not the quiver Of 6
muscle was visible in his sturdy face.
He was even cheerful, and he spoke
to the hands and to Ralph Prescott as il
nothing in the world had happened tx
disturb the serenity Of the home circle
as If the vacant chair at his side did no,
exist.
II the iron had pierced his soul he had
cauterized the jagged wound with the
pride, stubbornness and endurance that
would have made Of him an excellen,
martyr in the days when they burned
men at the stake.
He gave his orders calmly. When he
apportioned Ruth's customary work to
the dairymaid there was not the token
of tremor in his voice.
Anxious-faced Ralph Prescott ap-
preached him as he bustled to the door
In his great coat.
-Mr. Elliott, he said timidly, Il want
to speak to you-"
About that girl?" demanded Elliott,
turning sharply.
About Ruth-yes. You know
stop! I forbid you ever to mention
her name under this roof again. She is
rs dead to me as II she were buried
fathoms deep in the sea. I'm sorry foI
you, my boy, but you and l must try
and work some comfort out Of the mud
die o lying thief and a disobedient
daughter have left us in"
Ralph Prescott looked glum and then
crafty. Affairs were bad, decidedly so:
He had lost Ruth. A far more sordid
thought oppressed hie mind Just now,
however. Would he lose old Geofrey
Forsythe's money as we'll?
He wandered about restlessly that
day, over the farm, through the village.
There was no trace Of Ruth. The storm
might have swallowed her up. for all the
clue the most persistent inquiry brought
as to her whereabouts.
She's gone with him, muttered Pres
cott, sourly. They were married, sure
enough and legally enough, for the
minister says 80. Paul Dalton has won
the prize, but If I can win the
money
He reflected over that phase Of the
case for many hourse. Old Geofrey, as
he understood it, had left his fortune
equally divided between himself and
Ruth. That Of course had the tacit con-
dition attached that they would eventu-
ally wed one another.
rnnln6a NJ
derstood the new complications IN
affairs, he might make an entirely dill
1erent disposition of his wealth.
He was whimsical and crotchety.
Getting older, he disliked to be dis
turbed.
Since he talked to me about that
money / lost at gambling. that some busy
body told him about, he hasn't been 30
bland to me-" soliloquized the anxious
Prescott. II half believe, if he did not
think I was to marry Ruth, he'd change
the will, and cut me off without shil-
ling. I only wish he'd die while the
will stands in my favor! Had better
70 and see him? l will. ! must look
sharp, or I'll find myself in pretty bad
position. Ny revenge! Bah! Matters
to down that miscreant Of Dalton.
I've lost everything, and he has gained
everything he was after-the girl"
Ralph Preston did go to the home OF
the recluse. He found Geoffrey propped
dp in bed, and looking like man ut his
last gasp.
He greeted his visitor GROSSLY, and
with a searching glance that Prescott
did not like.
"You don't seem to be feeling as well
as usual, Uncle Geofrey," suggested
Ralph.
"No!" snapped the recluse. DO you
think anyone is worrying very much
about me?"
"Oh, I know you all. Waiting for my
shoes after I'm dead
Hadn't better sty and help you till
you get better?"
1--WE got help"
, What! you've got -"
: "A nurse. What are you staring att
Am begrudged that little outlay, in my
old age?'
Ralph Prescott was silent, none the
less amazed. For ten years the recluse
had tabooed all kinds Of hep.
The schemer caught sight Of o femin.
'ide form in the next room, her sonbe7
black dress, colored spectacles, and
close fitting cap making her resemble
;wolsaa Of fifty: e-;:Ssassss
NF3 found TIA; he could neither cajole
nor Cl!ertnt1 his crusty host, and he
took his leave.
4 don't like the hooks Of things" he
muatefed. -r@;==s,ss=a'.c-s- .z
4; He liked it less that evening. A chun
at the tavern informed him that old
Geoffrey had sent that afternoon for bic
lawyer, and that later doctor had been
hastily summoned.
"I'm going to have talk with old
Elliott tonight" mused Prescott. I'm
Going to know if I'm to expect fortune
or nothing. I've been abused and de-
iuded all around, and In going to get
something out Of the wreck in some
way"
There was an alarm at Maple Leaf
Earm. however. before he reached home.
4 messenger had come from old
Geoffrey in hot haste.
The invalid was dying, he said. And
when Farmer John reached the lonely
house in the village the old man had
breathed his last.
At the funeral the next day few no.
ttced particularly the reticent, plain
looking nurse who had been with Geohrey
xe-sythe in his last illness.
--or presence was not questioned even
when, after the funeral, the few mourn
ers gathered at the house to meet the
lawyer Of the recluse at his own request.
Farmer John looked glum and unin-
terested, but Ralph Prescott's crafty