The Dickinson press., 1893-06-24
CHAPTER IN.

A craDbed-fac0u man. answered the
ring at the iron gate after a lapse of
several minutes, stared ut the yelled
figure without, first penetratingly aud
then without suspicion, and asked, uu-
who are yOu-what do you want?"
Beatrice Mercer was an actress. She
had come prepared to feign Il part, and
she did it well.
All the fire and impetuosity Of her
passionate nature was subdued to the
seemingly shrinking timidity Of shy
young girl.
She stammered out frightened apol-
ogy and clung to the iron gate as if
weary and weak.
~ have come a long ways" she mur-
INJURED, 'and l must make no mistake.
The gentleman who lives hcre-AIr.
Caleb Marston."
The servant or helper uttered Il sharp
ejaculation Of surprise and reeewed
suspicion.
who told you that Mr.. Caleb Mars
ton lived here!' lie demanded.
"I-l-does he not? Then will 30,
If am in error,' and Beatrice retreat
ed.
Quick as flash the man unlocked the
gate, seized her arm, dragged her in
side the overgrown, ill-kept garden,
and regarded her much with the angry
glare of an enemy.
mo, you DON'T he said "Whare
did you get that numc-AIarston? Who
told you? Speak! Have they guessed
his hiding place again?" the man half
muttcrcd to himself.
Il got the name from IL lctter--a let
ter from Mr.. A[arston himself" ex-
planned Beatrice.
OH! muttered the man. I'll guar
antee he never told you to Use that
name hereabouts, all the same. Rails
ton, girl! Do YOU understand? Never
whisper Marston again, If you're friends
of ours"
Can l see him.
Can You see who?"
fn: me-
He did?"
Yes. Take me to him. He will tell
you it is all right
The man studied bit. He relockcd
the gate and made sure that 10 enc
was lurking about tho place. Then tax
ing an enormous bunch of keys from
his pocket, he led the way 10 the
house.
| massive. gloomy structure, the care
he manifested i'll penetrating the doubl,
locked portals indicated Jail or ,
castle of defense. 1t was richly fur
nished within. but the closed and barred
windows and chill pervading each apart
ment made the antiquated mansion
seem somber, gloomy and uninviting il
the extreme.
You wait here
Beatrice's guide pointed surlily to /:
chair in a small waiting room, and dis
appeared through door ut its othe
end.
There was a low hum of "onverSl
tion in the adjoining apartment. He
eyes glowing like two sinister stars o
light, Beatrice glided noiselessly 10 th'
| threshold of. the door that had jus
closed noiselessly on her companion
Her ear bent, she strove to translate
the gruff, explanatory accents of th'
man, the sharp, querulous, excited tone
| of his companion.
When the door again opened, how
ever, with the grace and agility Of a
panther she had regained the chair.
"GO ill.," nodded the keeper, and the
door opened and closed after her, USHER
tllE ASI lulO IL IoOult dpiFlllN.ut, d1il
leaving her face to face with jler fate.
Half reclining in an invalid chair was
n thin, white-haired man. She studied
his working face from beneath her veil;
she noted the nervous tension Of brain
with excitement, his eyes We're Accnly
alive with unconcealed suspense.
My steward tells me you come here
with a letter." spoke the master of the
mansion, in tones scarcely audible from
emotion.
Yes, murmurcd Beatrice.
II have written but one letter-in was
to one have not seen for years"
Your daughter, Alice Edna Ralston:
am she. Father!"
|, The plot, the fraud, the false assllnp.
ton of the fair scllemer was revealed
at last. She had determined to per.
senate her dead friend and srhoolu.ltc
and the stolen letter lad We'll equipped
her for the cruel imposture.
My chila!'
She had sprung forward ut that wild
: yearning cry. Not Il heart-t,,rob ol
pity for the fond, deluded oil! man
soul-li,ngry for the love and symDath,
If his long absent child stirred ;.,r Lear
, '-only fierce, covetous Joy and triumph
His real daughter was dead, Il Knowl
edge Of t;iat- fact, in his evident .critica