The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-05
CHAPTER XII.
VICTORY.

Ferndale was nearly eighty miles
from Ridgeton, and located in another
State, but by dint Of hard riding and
few stops Ralph Prescott reached his
journeys end the next morning.
The plotter's thoughts and calcula.
tions we're vague. What good he could
gain by the present investigation he did
not know. Circumstances would guide
him. he told himself.
He hoped to learn something more
about Dalton's past. A man who had
been a forger, a convict, might have
many serious flaws in his life. There
might be other crimes for which Paul
Dalton was wanted-else why had he
sought the obscurity Of Maple Leaf
Farm II this was true, and he could
learn sufficient to be Of real weight
against Dalton or Ruth, the plotter
might terrorize, persecute, blackmail
them. He .ardly thought as far as
ever gaining Ruth. Money and re-
venge were now the sole actuating mo-
tives OF his mean nature.
If he had hoped to find Paul Dalton
established and publicly known at
Ferndale, he was doomed to disappoint-
ment.
: Inquiries at several places revealed
no definite knowledge Of the man he
sought.
One man thought the name sounded
familiar, another started strangely, and
repeated it over and over vaguely.
That name ain't altogether unknown
to me-, he said, but I can't fit it's own
er. Seems to me, though, that old Dan
by, the miller-yes, that i'll remem-
ber now. You SEQ"
The man checked himself suddenly.
We'll, so on" insinuated Paul,
eagerly.
mo, may be mistaken, and I don't
want to make trouble. You see
Dandy"
Where will find him2" queried the
self-appointed detective.
He was directed to dllapidated mill
structure. A somber-faced old man,
patching up the worn-out machinery Of
the place, looked up from his labor ir.
ritably as Prescott asked him if he was
Mr.. Dandy.
Yes, Danby's my name" he replied.
What Of it?"
Il am looking for a man was told
you knew"
who is he?"
Paul Dalton"
The effect Of that name upon the mti-
ler was something extraordinary.
He arose erect as from a shock. His
,oo- ruiueu raIe as ueatn. WIN lower-
ing eyes and quickened breath he sur
veyed his visitor, and, trembling all over
with some suppressed agitation, de-
handed in hoarse, unnatural tone:
Who sent you here?"
Prescott retreated, trife frightened,
FOR there was a gleam in the old mans
eyes that was dangerous.
Why" he stammered. IL came
myself"
No one sent you? He did not send
you; she did not send your Answer me. !"
NO one sent me"
Because" went on the miller be-
tween his set teeth, Il would treat q
messenger from them as l would they
themselves as reptiles, deadly ene-
mies!"
Il simply wanted 10 find this Paul
Dalton. l wished TO learn all I could
about him. You seem to hate him?"
terly; "as the viper that stings, as the
savage who strikes the hand that ten
ders him brad. He stole my child away
from me-my little Isabel"-and the
gruT voice died in Il pitiful sob. He
made my home berert he weIl-nIgn peg
CARED me. Oh, curse his,handsome face
and soft ways! Curse him, I say, to all
eternity!"
Strange words to inspire Joy, and yet
savage delight permeated the heart OF
the eager listener as he realized that he
was learning more than he had hoped for.
Was this Paul Dalton villain who
operated the same at all places--robbine
his bGnefactor, running away with his
daughter?
1t seemed so; but still deeper salts
faction was in store for Prescott.
That was five years ago. One mSh
they disappeared. A week later l re-
ceived letter from Isabel. She begged
forgiveness. She asked that they boil
return to the hCme roof; that her hus
band was repeniful for the thcit; tina
the money had gone in gambling. l wen
to the town whence she wrote, armet
with horsewhip. l cowhidcd him TO
the miserable poltrocn that he was.
cursed her as no child Of mine.
And were they married?"
"Ah. ] made sure OF that. l worlt
have killed him if it had been otherwise
As it was, left them. They had maa'
their bed In it they must lie.
Fierce, venomous Joy tuggcd ct Help
Prescott's heart-string5.
Married! Then the ceremony Mt Ridge
ton was a mockery. Ruth was not