The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-06-28
CHAPTER VIII.
LIGHT!

InlUtlJR spSClldtAou Aoi tno 6oeNFs
hldge5on, and the disappearance Of
Ruth and the strange will Of Geoffrey
Forsythe constituted veritable nine
days wonder.
People were amazed. Just as cy-
clone, terrible, sudden and blighting,
sweeps over q smiling landscape and
leaves ruin and devastation in its track,
so the unexpected had come to Maple
Leaf Farm, wrecking hearts, destroy
ing the home rest, and leaving traces OF
bitterness, hidden only by stubborn
pride and the mute endurance Of stole.
People talked, but Farmer John gave
no explanation OF it all; only from the
farm hands could they gain the particu-
lars, and rumor ut last sifted the situa-
tion down to several very significant
and startling facts.
Paul Dalton, an ex-convict, had
robbed his generous master and had
stolen away his daughter.
John Elliott had Indignantly evicted
his former superintendent, and had dis
owned his child for wedding him se-
cretly. =
These two, man and wife, fugftives,
banished, had undoubtedly met again,
and in some obscure town were eking
out an existence, that could only end in
dire punishment for an unfaithful
steward and disobedient child.
Ralph Prescott, bafled, disappoint-
ed schemer, had come out at the eX-
tremely small end Of the horn.
Unmasked as a spendthrift, he had
been left pauper and sullen, BROOD
ing, revengeful man; he was harbOred
by John Elliott out Of sheer pity and
sympathy for his double loss Of bride
and fortune.
AS to Farmer John himself, he ac-
cepted the gift of the farm without graf
itude or interest. Life had been robbed
of it's sweetness, and his future seemed
barren, vapid, well-nigh uncomfortable.
The nurse Of old John Forsythe still
remained at the former home Of the re-
cluse. She saw but few, and spoke to
mono. Her position as protector OF Ruth
Elliott's interests until the latter should
see fit to return and claim her legacy
was sanctioned legally, and Farmer
John did not care enough about it to
question her right Of wardenship.
Only one point electrified all the viii
lage, and mystifed 'surly Ralph Prescott
the strange will that Geo6rey For
sythe had made.
Why had he left the bulk Of his wealth
to an utter stranger-what subtle infu-
ences had induced him to disinherit
former favorite, to practically beggar his
own kith and kin, for man he had never
exchanged o dozen words with. whose
very existence even he might not have
known up to few days previous to his
death.
There's trickery in it," said the gos-
sips.
The will cannot be broken" affirmed
the lawyer, stanchly.
There's mystery under it ALL" solilo-
quized Ralph Prescott, darkly. why,
and how did old Forsythe make that
will? Where is the fortunate leGatee?"
Over the solution Of this double prob
lem the baffled schemer coGitated until
he nearly went mad.
He thirsted for revenge. He coveted
Dalton's good fortune. He longed to
humiliate Ruth. From sneaking, cow
ardly schemer, Ralph Prescott was fast
emerging into dangerous plotter.
A comfortable home was guaranteed
him at Maple Leaf Farm as long as he
wished to remain there, but that did not
suit him.
He wanted money for his gambling
exploits, and Farmer John was close
listed.
He visited the tavern early and late.
Seeking solace for his disappointments
in the wine cup, he became a silent,
sullen devotee ut the festal board,
his cares in inebriety, and
ready to quarrel with the first man who
even gave him pleasant word.
At the end Of the week he was no
nearer guessing the rights Of the matter
Of the singular will than before.
One night, however, there came
development that interested him, stag
gered him, aroused him out of his
apathy with shock, and set in vivid ac-
ton all the scheming elements Of his
Of his evil nature.
A great crony Of bis was young fel-
low named Evans, clerk in the village
postofice.
He came to the tavern to drink with
his friend, and upon this especial even.
ing he made the casual remark:
Il say, Prescott! that nurse, Mrs.
Easton, up at old Forsythe's house, is
getting to be more Of mystery than
ever"
rs she?" growled Prescott, YEARLY.
Yes. She comes and goes with that
black veil of hers drawn down, like
some specter. To-day, though, she
nailed letter ut the postoffice that I
saw.
Ibid she?"
For q fact; and say, Prescott, who
DO you think it IVES directed to-"
Well, who?"
T0h, don't bother me What do I care
about it,"
You will when I tell you that the let
ter was directed to- your esteemed friend,
Paul Dalton
Prescott looked up, q startled, evil,
lurid glow in his wicked eyes.
What" he calculated.
"Yes, Paul Dalton"
Ralph Prescott sat looking into moth
ingness, but his breath came fast, and
bis eyes emitted scintilations Of hatred
and revenge.
What was the address," he asked.
Il only saw the name. was going to
fish out tho letter later, but forgot 1t.
The information set every crafty in'
stinct in Prescott S nature agog.
1t suggested much. Why was this,
mysterious, unknown Mrs. Easton cor
responding with man whose address
even the lawyer did not know.
Was she the head and center OF some
plot that had induced old Godfrey For
sythe in his dying moments TO change
his will in favor OF the outcast Of Maple
Leaf Farm?