The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-06-14
HEARTS OF COLD;
The HeireSS Of Maple
Leaf Farm.
GENEVIEVE ULMER.
,
Y
CHAPTER III. =
A STARTLING ACCUSATION

the meeting Of two precious rogues at
the Ridgeton tavern.
The field hands repeated them as they
cast askance glances at their master.
Farmer John was -out O Sorts" in
the Dumps" with temper Exceedingly
contrariwise," and q face that lowered
like rain-fringed cloud.
All that day he barely spoke to Ruth:
he treated Dalton with gruf incivility;
and woe betide the laborer whom he
caught Sinking his duty.
"Wheat's gone down."
mo; he's been caught on bad horse
trade"
"Mebbe it's Dalton. He's getting
rather spoony on the girl, and you know
Farmer John has set his heart on
match with Ralph Prescott.
These and like gossipy explanations
Roated on the air-all very far from the
true solution to the mystery Of Farmer
Johns bad temper, however.
Meantime, with Ralph Prescott nurs-
ing and developing his spite, and Farmer
John storing up wrath for near explo-
sion, there were two happy, unconscious
souls that saw only gold in the dazzling
sunshine, and fancied the songs OF the
birds the sweetest music, in harmony
with hearts vibrating to new and delight
ful emotions.
They loved, these two, Ruth and
Paul; they had loved long and purely,
but in unexpressed fervor. Now, with
the revelation of the white vielets, their
ewes spoke; tell-tale flush, an ardent
glance, murmured term Of endear-
ment brought them to the threshold OF
lfe's sweetest, holiest experience.
If memory Of false position and
mysterious past shadowed the lovers
heart momentarily he drove it away.
e If thought of the stern will of the
erratio grandsire, of her stubborn father,
with eyes blinded to the deficiencies OF
Ralph Prescott. came to Ruth mind she
-blotted it out with realization Of the
great bliss that had come into her life to
overshadow it all.
So these two golden hearts, with un-
seen barriers already placed between
them, glided on to the bitter fate that
mans subtlety and the workings OF
stern, merciless destiny were weaving
for them.
I'll not speak," muttered Farmer
John as he entered the house for supper,
I'll not make mistake and accuse an
innocent man. I'll wait once more.
should miss a penny the way l have
fixed things, and I'll watch again. The
next thief who visits Ely room gets
caught.
He was silent and vLsocial all the
evening meal. Had he been less
absorbed in his Trim suspicious
thoughts of those present, however,
he would have noted the lurking figure
of Ralph Prescott as he stole into the
house and then stole ont OF it again.
The meal over, with quick glance at
Ruth, Paul Dalton left the room.
The farmer supposed he had gone to
his own apartment and sat down to read
the weekly newspaper.
At his task-for it was such that even
ing, with his mind torn with conflicting
doubts-Farmer John moved restlessly,
lay down the paper, took it up again,
pondered, dozed and finally fell into
Q nap.
He was aroused about nine o'clock by
the entrance o. Paul Dalton, apparently
from up stairs.
A minute later Ruth appeared, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes vaguely ques-
tioning the keen glance her father fast
ened upon her.
About to ask her if she had been to
visit girl friend on the next farm, John
Elliott was interrupted by the entrance
of two farm hands.
They had decided to leave his employ
with the morning, and, according to
agreement had come for their pay.
Better stay in comfortable home for
the winter, boys, spoke Elliott, always
considerate to his help.
No, the men were obdurate. They
had qritA little store Of savings, and
their ambition was to try the attractions
In the way Of money-making Of the
great, magnetic city.
ALI right. What 90 I owe you?..
queried the farmer.
He'll tell, he's got it al down in
black and white, returned one OF the
men, with nod to Paul, whose figures
never made mistake in their admiring
conviction.
p" Paul got down the books and stated
the amount. Farmer John took out his
keys, and, lamp In hand, proceeded to
his room upstairs.
Those below heard q startled cry
minute later. Then the angry tramp OF
q hurried mans feet, and John Elliott
re-entered the room.
His face was white with passion, his
eyes were terrible. Absorbed with some
overwhelming emotion, he seemed on
the verge OF choking.
In one hand, he bore the lamp, in the
other, roll Of bank-notes. Placing the
lamp on the table, trembling like leaf,
q pent-up volcano Of rage, he counted
out several of the bills, and extended
them to the wondering Paul Dalton.
There's your months pay" he said,
IN a tone that grated Oh Ruth's alarmed
ears until she shuddered. Take it,
pack your traps and go!"
"Mr. Elliott" cried Dalton, in dunn
founded bewilderment, what does this
mean2"
"Gol" snapped the farmer, savagely.
BE wise, young man, don't tempt me to
speak! You know why. I've found you
out. Go, while you may, before for
get that you were once honest. once
beIp to me. Col"
Father, are you mad?" cried Ruth,
advancing to Elliott's side.
This amt your place to SPEAK, IN
terrupted the farmer sternly, puttlng
her away with his hand. Paul walton
/ have no time to waste on you. YOU w
heard me-go!" :,
Not until know what this eXtraordi-
nary accusation means, responded
Walton firmly, and flushing with lnolg-
nation.
What does it mean!" fairly roared
oil II.