Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1893-01-26
CHAPTER XVIII
CONCLUSION.

the Raymond Marshall Of few days
previous. Hope, joy, excitement lllu-
minated his radiant face; horror, too,
Swallowed it, as he glanced after the dis
appearing plotter. Then he drew into
the open space another form.
"She meant murder. Oh cruel! cruel!
How can she be SO heartless? And
loved her, trusted her as sister"
Courage, Edna" spoke Marshall.
"The faithful Bruno led me here in
time, 1t seems, to rescue you. You Pc
lieve me now-that this woman de-
ceived me into that marriage. farce
that cannot dim our love, though 1t may
part us in this world?"
rible PLACED"
Yes, I will take you back to the
farm house. Then to return and learn
the meaning of this woman being here.
Wait! Some one else Is coming.
He had been led to the spot by the
clever Bruno not ten minutes previous,
had discovered Edna in the pit, had res
cued her, and now both shrank into the
shrubbery again as two forms crossed
the garden.
The steward and the housekeeper, re-
turned from the village, their words
reaching the ears Of the listening Ray
mond Marshall caused him to start vio-
lently, for they were discussing Beatrice
Mercer.
Creeping nearer to them, within two
minutes a hint, word revealed to Ray
mond Marshalls quick mind marvel
Gus suggestion.
He guessed at the truth now. This
dark schemer, Beatrice, had assumed
Edna Deane's name and place. Her
plots, her sudden wealth, her strange
movements all verified the surmise.
For few moments he reflected.
Then, as the two people entered the
house, he took Edna's arm, and led her
towards it's open front portals.
Through the windows OF brightly
lighted apartment he could see an old
man reclining in an invalid's chair, and
near to him sat his pretended daughter,
Beatrice Mercer.
Without a word of explanation to the
shrinking Edna, fired with the zeal OF a
confident discovery, Raymond Marshall
entered the house.
A wild cry rang from Beatrice Mer-
GERS lips, and Mr.. Ralston stared Won
deringly at the intruders as Marshall
and his trembling companion abruptly
entered the room.
"Alice-Edna!" exclaimed the Invalid;
"who are these people2"
Alice? Edna?' repeated Marshall,
eagerly. rs that the name she gives
herself? Pardon me, sir but l have in
truded here because [ deem it a duty to
unmask that woman yonder.
That woman-my daughter!' eX-
claimed Ralston, Indignantly.
She is not your daughter. Beatrice
Mercer, your plots are known. Silence!
/ will tell my story.
White as marble Beatrice shrank
back as in forcible, emphatic words
Raymond Marshall, sentence by sem
tence. revealed his suspicious. He
forced her to assent to his surmlses; he
compelled Edna to relate her story.
With look Of anger at the woman who
had deceived him, with loving glance
at tho timid Edna, when all had been
explained and made clear, Mr.. Ralston
opened his arms to his real daughter.
Yes, yes. it is true!" he murmured.
"She has her sainted mothers face.
OH how could l be so deceived? AS to
yOu-
Yes, as to me-" cried the baf11ed
Beatrice, scornfully. Il am unmasked!
SO be it; but still have the power to
rule. I know your secret-you, an
escaped convict. You will be glad to
silence my lips with half your fortune,
or l betray oil.
Ralston paled and shuddered. At that
moment the door opened, however. An
emaciated form crossed the room.
Rodney" cried Mr.. Ralston, amazed.
It was the messenger he had sent for
Edna to the Hopedale seminary, the
man who had seemingly persisted at the
broken bridge.
Yes, it is l." replied Rodney. Mi
a ~ roI
from my illness attending exposure and
injury, and in time to refute what that
impostor says, for 1 overheard her words
and your own. Ralston, light mas come
at last! The man for whose crimes you
suffered Imprisonment is dead; and,
dying, he has confessed all and cleared
your name from every faint Of guilt"
oh, thank heaven!" cried Ralston,
fervently. AT lastl at last! Alice
Edna, my darling child, at last can
offer you an hoIored name, a loving
home.'
May you be happy!" sneerea Bea-
trice, malevolently. Il am baft1ed
beaten-at every point except one, it !
seems. Raymond Marshall, remember
that the law gives mo your name! You
are my husband. That is moro to me
than the honor of being an ex-convict's
daughter or wealthy hereSs!
so be it," spoke Raymond Marshall
solemnly. In name l am your hus-
band, but Edna Deane or Alice Ralsten
has my love till death. Fear not:
shall not bring reproach on her fair
name by remaining near her until the
law annuls a fraudulent marriage
Edna, I must hasten to your friends.
the Blakes, and tell them that you are
safe They are very anxious about Won
Tomorrow [ will come to see that You
are safe and happy. and then I leave
you to battle this woman for my rights"
He passed from the house 90 ne
spoke. His heart was happy, despite
the complications that evil plotters had
cast about his life.
L say, old follow" uttered a maudlin
tone, as he neared the road outside the
mansion grounds.
We'll, what is it, demanded Mar