Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1893-09-07
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Fl. Courage, Edna" spoke Marshall.
1.-The faithful Bruno led me here IN
time, it seems, to rescue you. You be-
lieve me now-that this woman de-
ceived me into that marriage, a farce
that cannot dim our love, though II
may part us in this world?"
"Oh, Raymond, let me leave this ter
rible place!"
Yes, I will take you back to the
farmhouse. 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
rescued her, and both now 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
violently, for they were discussing Be-
atrice Mercer.
Creeping nearer to them, within two
minutes a hint, a word revealed TO Ray
mOnd Marshal's quick mind Il 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.
Fol a few moments he reflected.
Then, as the two people entered the
house, he took Edna's arm, and led
her towards its open front portals.
Through the windows Of a 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 Mar
shall entered the house.
A wild cry rang from Beatrice Mer-
GERS lips, and Nj. Ralston stared won
deringly at the intruders as Marshall
ana his trembling companion abruptly
entered the room.
"Alice-Edna!" exclaimed the inva-
lid; who are these people?'
Alice! Edna" repeated Marshall,
eagerly. rs that the name she gives
herself? Pardon me, sir, but l have in
tuded here because | deem it a duty to
unmask that woman yonder."
mat woman - my daughter!" ex-
claimed Ralston, Indignantly.
She is not your daughter. Beatrice
Mercer, your plots are known. Silence.
l will tell my story"
White as marble Beatrice shrank back
as in forcible, emphatic words Ray
mond Marshall, sentence by sentence.
revealed his suspicious. He forced her
TO assent to his s,irplises; he compelled
Edna TO relate her story. With a look
OF anger at the woman who had de
ceived him, with a loving glance ut the
umid Edna, when all had been ex-
Planned and made clear, Mr.. Ralston
opened his arms to his real daughter.
Yes. Yes, it is true!" he murmured.
) h has her sainted mothers face,
On! how could l be so deceived? AS to
yOu-"
Yes, as to me-" cried The baffied
Beatrice, scornfully. Il am unmaskedi
So be it; but l still have the power to
rule. L know your secret-you, an
escaped convict. You will be glad to
silence my lips with half your fortune.
or l betray all"
Ralston palen and s~huddered. At
that moment the door opened, how
e~vereyer. 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 l." replied Rodney. mi
raculously escaped death; just recov-
cred from my illness attending expos-
ure and injury, and in time to refute
what that impostor says, for l over
heard her words and your own. Rails
ton, light has come at last. The man
for whose crimes you suffered impris-
onment is dead; and, dying, he has
confessed all and cleared your name
from every faint of guilt"
"Oh, thank heaven" cried Ralston.
~fervently. "At last! at last. Alice
Edna, my darling child, ut last I can
offer you an honored name, q loving
homa!"
May you be happyr' sneered Bea-
trice, m~aleyolently. II am baffied.
beaten-at every point except one, 1t
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-convict's
daughter or a wealthy h~eiressr'
$50 be it,! spoke Raymond Marshall
solemnly. I'm name / am your hus-
band, but Edna Deane or Alice Ralston
has my love till death. Fear not. I
shall not bring reproach on her fair
name by remaining near her until the
law annuls a fraudulent marriage. Ed
ma, l must hasten TO your friends. the
Blakes, and tell them hat you are safe.
They are very anxious about you. To
morrow / will come to see that You
are safe and happy, and then I leave
you to battle this woman for nv
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 n maud.
lin tone, as he neared the road outside
the mansion grounds.
Wen, what is itg' demanded Mar
shall. regarding c%uriously the swaying.
shabby form of a half-intoxicated man
near the wall.
Can you direct me? Looking for tho
way into this place, after "a friend
a lady friend. You see"
Mercy! The m~inister!'