Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-04-13
CHAPTER XVIII.
CONCLUSION,
Too latel'

and the speaker stepped into view.
1t was Raymond Marshall, but not
the Raymond Marshall Of few days
previous. Hope, Joy, excitement illu-
minated his radiant face horror, too,
Swallowed 1t, as he glanced after the dis
appearing plotter. Then hebrew into
the open space another form.
"She meant murder. Oh, cruel! cru II
How can she be 80 heartless2 And |
loved her, trusted her as a sister.
Courage, Edna, spoke Marshall
The faithful Bruno led me here In
time, 1t seems, to rescue you. You be-
lieve me now-that this woman de-
oelved me into that marriage, farce
that cannot dim our love, though 1t may
part us in this world2"
"oh, Raymond, let me leave this ter
rible placel"
yes, will take you back to the
farm house. Then to return and learn
the meaning of this woman being here.
Waitl 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 vlo-
lently, for they were discussing Beatrice
Mercer.
Creeping nearer to them, within two
minutes hint, a word revealed to Ray
mond Marshall quick mind marvel
GUS suggestion.
He guessed at the truth now This
dark schemer, Beatrice, had assumed
Edna Deanes name and place. Her
plots, her sudden wealth, her strange
movements all verified the surmise.
For few moments he reelected.
Then, as the two people entered the
house, he took Edna 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 invalld'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"
"Alice2 Edna2" repeated Marshall,
eagerly. rs that the name she gives
herself2 Pardon me, sir, but have in
truded here because deem it duty to
unmask that woman yonder
That woman-my daughter" ex-
claimed Ralston, Indignantly.
She 10 not your daughter. Beatrice
Mercer, your plots are known. Silence!
/ will tell my story"
White as marble Beatrice shrank
back as in forclble, emphatic words
Raymond Marshall, sentence by sem
tence, revealed his suspicious. He
forced her to assent to his surmises; he
compelled Edna to relate her story
With look Of anger at the woman who
had deceived him, with loving glance
at the timld Edna, when all had been
explained and made clear, Mr.. Ralston
opened his arms to his real daughter.
"Yes, yes. 1t Is true" he murmured.
"She has her sainted mothers face.
Oh! how could be so deceived? AS to
you"
Yes, as to me-, cried the bafIled
Beatrice, scornfully. L am unmaskedl
So be it; but still have the power to
rule. 1 know your secret-you, an
escaped convict You will be glad to
silence my lips with half your fortune,
or betray all.
Ralston paled and shuddered. At that
moment the door opened, however An
emaciated form crossed the room.
Rodney" cried Mr.. Ralston, amazed
1t 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 I, replied Rodney. Mi
raculously escaped death; just recovered I
from my illness attending exposure and
injury, and in time to refute what that !
impostor says, for overheard her words
and your own. Ralston, light mas come q
at last The man for whose crimes you
suffered Imprisonment Is dead; and, ,
your name from every faint Of guilt"
Ou JublAh HehNelI CTl6u uhlolOH, {
fervently. AT lastl at lastl Alice
Edna, my darling child, at last can /
offer you an hoIored name, loving I
home' :
May you be happy sneered Bea- '
trice, malevolently. Il am bafiled, /
beaten--at every point except one, it :
seems. Raymond Marshall, remember
that the law gives me your name! You
are my husband, That Is more to me
than the honor Of being an ex-convlcts '
daughter or wealthy heiress!" {
80 be iL!" spoke Raymond Marshall {
solemnly. In name l am your hus- {
band, but Edna Deane or Alice Ralston !
has my love till death. Fear not; 1 1
shall not bring reproach on her fair
name by remaining near her until the
law annuls q fraudulent marriage.
Edna, / must hasten to your friends,
the Blakes, and tell them that you are
safe. They are very anxious about you.
Tomorrow will come to see that you
are safe and happy, and then leave
you to battle this woman for my rights.
He passed from the house as he
spoke. His heart was happy, despite
the complications that evil plotters had
cast about his life.
Il say, old fellow!" uttered a maudlin
tone, as he neared the ROAD outside the
mansion grounds.
We'll, what is it," demanded Mar