The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-02
CHAPTER XVIII.
AT LAST.

Lawyer Drew filed away his papers,
closed up his desk and lit his pipe, ready
for q comfortable smoke, after his two
visitors, Ralph Prescott and the i'm
postor, had left him.
He felt very complacent, for the as
sured heir Of the Forsythe legacy had
paid him an extra large fee to expedite
matters.
A ring at the door-bell, followed by
the hurried parley Of some new visitor
with the servant, interrupted the law
yer's pleasant reveries, however, q mo-
snent later, and almost Immediately
tramping footsteps down the hall pre-
ceded rude intrusion into the room.
There stood man, pale, unkempt,
wild-eyed-so closely the prototype OF
the man who had just left that room
with royal fortune surrendered to his
charge that the lawyer stared in amaze
ment.
why, Mr.. Dalton!" he calculated,
rising abruptly and staring wonderingly
at his visitor. "You have returned?
something has happened2"
.Returned2 MOI" exclaimed the in
truder, excitedly. I have not been
here before tonight"
What! Did not just pay you"
TOO late!" gaspsd the new conner.
"He has been here. feared 1t. MIR.
Drew, do you not know me3"
why! yes, l. stammered the
lawyer.
Il am Paul Dalton; not the Paul Dal-
ton who has taken my place and repre-
sented my identity for the past week,
but the Paul Dalton you knew of old
the superintendent Of Maple Leaf
Farm"
Then the other2'
Was an impostor.'
Lawyer Drew's jaws fell. The aw-
Sui truth suddenly dawned upon his
astouuded mind, and it paralyzed his
faculties completely.
-Yes," went on Paul Dalton, rapidly,
you have been made the victim OF a
deep plot, scheme to wrongfully secure
the Forsythe fortune, while have been
Q drugged, bound prisoner. Tonight I
overpowered and bound my iailer and
hurried here, but too late to prevent the
conspmmation OF an iniquitous project
betR en Ralph Prescott and the man
wbs resembles me-"
Remarkably. He must be brother,
. close relative?"
1T matters not. cannot expose him
here now. Quick! how much Of start
has he got of me! He must be over
taken, he must disgorge his ill-gotten
boety, he must tell me what he has done
with my wife-my darling, precious
Ruth"
Il can answer that question:"
A clear, confident voice uttered the
words. just about to advance toward
the door, Paul Dalton recoiled as a
f1ark-eyed, sad-faced woman crossed its
threshold. The lawyer, too, regarded
her In open-mouthed wonder.
Isabel" exclaimed the startled and
bewildered Paul Dalton, Isabel"
yes, Paul, the wroneed, prosecuted
wife Of your enemy, the woman who, at
last realizing all the noble sacrifice OF
your life, has determined. be the cost
what 1t may, that you shall wreck your
happiness no further, to enrich ana
shield consummate scoundrel, my hus-
band though he bel"
What does this mean?" gasped the
overwhelmed lawyer.
Il will tell you, rang out the woman's
voice.
Isabel, forbid you!" interrupted Paul
Dalton, sternly.
No, shall disobey you" returned
the woman. firmly. Too long you have
suffered in silence. It means this, Sir,
to the interested and curious lawyer,
there are two Paul Daltons-this one,
and my husband, the man who has just
swindled you out Of fortune. The one
good, the other bad, remarkably alike In
looks, but in soul-ah! this man noble
sacrifices and life Of sadness shall shine
bright in the judgment day before the
bIack-hearted cruelty and sin Of that
other Paul Dalton-my husband"
They are brothers?"
NO, cousins-the children OF sisters
who, fondly hoping to win the favor OF
rich old Paul Dalton, the banker, each
named child after him. They grew
up. My husband was the favorite. He
was the accepted heir Of his uncle, but
he broke his mothers heart with his