The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-26
HEARTS OF COLD;
The Heiress Of Maple
Leaf Farm.
Y
GENEVIEVE ULMER.
CHAPTER XVI.
30 r..

W, SN-~
fudge, could not have exhibited more
emotion than did tho man whom Ralph
Prescott had accepted as Paul Dalton,
at the soul thrilling words Of the excited
Ruth Elicit
Strange words they were-wild words,
bordering seemingly on inooherency.
We're they the result Of hallucination,
delirlum? mol As the rapt lurker
studied the face Of the beautiful girl, he
knew that the penetrating gaze Of rea-
son, the great throbbing instinct OF love,
had aided her to see beyond the super
iloial, and had unmasked villainy.
In plain words, she accused this man
with being an impostor. In awful ar
ralgnment before the bar Of her womanly
conviction, she charged him with the
crime Of robbing her OF her husband.
Then he was not Paul Dalton, not her
husband, not the ex-Superintendent OF
Maple Leaf Farm! He was an impostor,
q fraud, and, as the truth flashed upon
Ralph Prescott's excited mind, he now
eomprehended many vague and perplex.
ing utterancss that he had overheard
him use during the evenful evening just
past.
Furthermore, as he gazed, he mar
yeled how he could ever have taken this
man for Paul Dalton. There was mar
yelous resemblance, but Of features
alone, for the dissimilarity in soul, in
expression, was utterly lacking.
What had aided to deceive Prescott
was the shaving off OF the beard. Ihls
prepared him for change il looks. As
to the voice, slight cold might account
for the huskiness that made this Paul
Dalton talk so differently from the
other, the real Paul Dalton.
Yes, there could be no doubt OF 1t, the
truth was out, the plotter unmasked, a
fraud revealed that completely outvled
all Ralph Prescott's puerile villalny.
This man, relative OF Paul Dalton,
q man at least exactly resembling him,
had heard of his legacy. Ee had i'm
prisoned the real heir; the bearded man,
his accomplice, was his jailer; he had
. boldly assumed Paul Dalton's S Identity;
he was scheming to secure the Forsythe
fortune and fly with it, leaving the real
legatee begSar.
The bewildericg complications that
were thus put in plsy made Ralph Pres,
colts brain fairly reel with surmise and
uncertainty.
The false Paul Dalton covered like a
craven before the flashing glance OF
Ruth Elliott. A woman's shrewdness
had penetrated his bold assumption OF
the identity of the man he resembled 30
extraordinarily.
He had deluded Prescott and the law
yer, but now he was unmasked, and one
word publicly spoken by the woman be-
fore him would not only cost him for
tune but might send him to q penal
institution.
That word, however, was never
spoken. OF q sudden, the nerves OF the
agitated Ruth gave way, the strain OF
the hour becoming too intense for her
already weakened nature. With moan
she sank senseless to the floor. The
impostor glanced at her sffrightedly foI
q moment or two, and then with white,
scared face, hurried from the room.
Ralph Prescott was after him In q
flash. He directed hurried injunction
to the woman who was attending Ruth
TO look to her charge, then he was dash
ing from the house in pursuit Of figure
dying down the deserted street, as if
pursued by pestilenoe.
4 ..stopl"
Is Tie impostor dashed across 9
vacant fir-lined lot the mandate rang out
clear, eharp, imperious:
He was trembling all over, his face
was the color Of ashes, his eyes haunted
with fearful dread, his manner cowed,
crushed; little like that Of the naughty,
tnsolent tyro OF the early evening, as he
turned and faced Ralph Prescott.
The latter, realizing his advantage.
pressed it promptly.
What do you want?"
you"
"Oh," peering closer, 1T is Prescott.
Give me time to catch my breath, mani"
He leaned against tree and painted
furiously. Ralph Prescott watched him,
es might cat mouse. He had cor
nered his man. He knew what to do
now, fast enough.
you've made a mess Of IT." he said,
bluntly, at last.
Have II" And the other laughed un-
easily. What do you mean2"
Il have followed you all the evening"
The impostor started.
Il overheard your conversation with
your accomplice OF the hotel, the
bearded man.
"Newcombe!" calculated the impostor.
"Ah! is that his name? Thank you.
Yes. Newcombe, the jailer Of the real
Paul Dalton at Black Rock.
The shot told. Ralph Prescott had
guessed the truth. His companion
ehivered at his words.
You know ALL am lost" he NUT
tered. AT least, the game is.
j. II furthermore, pursued Prescott,
eooIly, witnessed your interview with
Ruth Elliott"
The impGstor was silent. he was
overwhelmed at the fast-occurring dis
ssters Of the night.
Yes, I know all this" continued
Prescott. Il know your plans, and ]
hold the whip-hand now. No need OF
subterfuge now. You and had better
come to an understanding"
. what kind of an understandings
stammered the abashed impostor.
well, our interests a1e identical, In
ene respect.
And what M
-Old Geofrey Forsythe's fortune, lef,
90 the real Paul Dalton, coveted by you
-and rightfuIy my own. see no means
OF regaining it by fair means. You h.ve
suggested and put in force foul ones. I
hate Paul Dalton. The first step to-
ward revenge would be the securing OF
the fortune"
"Well2" muttered his auditor vaguely.
IF we can arrive at harmonious con-
ciusion, can make an equitable arrange
ment, might be tempted to allow you
TO 60 on with your imposition. At the
end Of q week, unless I interfere, you
will receive the legacy from Lawyer