The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1893-03-10

Shc could scarcely comprehend the
rare success Of her imposture as, later
that evening, she sat in the boudoir Of
the suite of rooms appOrtioned to her in
the old mansion.
Not a breath of suspicion had been
aroused. Placidly. unequivocally had
old Mr.. Ralston accepted her as the
child he had not seen since infancy.
Her past, like his own, he would never
seek to probe or revive. Yesterday was
as dead and gone as the ages past.
Here she could change her own identi-
ty in the undisputed possession of a
royal fortune. Ralston dead, that for
tune acquired, and with her youth,
beauty and intelligence, she could 60
out into the world and become queen
among women, tread a velvet path
through life-she, the poor, obscure
teacher on half-pay, the friendless
drudge Of Hopedale Seminary.
Yet there was a canker at the heart
of the rose. Conscience did not trouble
her. She even justified her fraudulent
representations. No, all she thought of.
all that disturbed her was a memory Of
the man she loved.
How she loved him still! How the
handsome, animated face of Raymond
Marshall haunted her.
For his sake did it ALL" she muir
INJURED, unanimously. He must benefit
by it all. How? All. patience. my
eager hear! hold the strings Of destiny!
II make no misstep, fortune and love
are both mine in the end"
Her rooms had been papered for her
with infinite care. They were more than
luxurious, they were elegant. The
steward and a hOusekeeper were the
sole servants, but they attended like
mute slaves to her every caprice as the
days went by.
Ralston was not exacting. He asked
an hour or two of her time each day to
read to him in the garden, or play for
him in the great, sOnber drawing-roOm
on the piano. Ever under the shadow
of some great fear, he never left the
walled grounds of the estate, and re-
quested her to cOnfine her long drives
to the unfrequented roads leading away
from the village.
A week passed thus, then the novelty
of her new life began to wear away.
The false Alice Ralston, the real Bea-
trice Mercer, began to grow restless.
anxious, moody.
Then she fell to plotting. II she
could only drag from that past life the
object of her love. Raymond Marshall,
she would be content.
You are getting wearied OF the lone
Illness here, fear" spoke Ralston,
anxiOusly, one evening.
No, father"
You are deceiving me. can read it
in your face. I caught you crying yes
terday. Speak, my child, if you have
any secret sorrow"
The yelled eyes of the siren glowed
triumphantly. The hour had come for
a master-strOke of fineSse.
Shall tell you the truth, even if it
disturbs yOu?" asked Beatrice, in low,
purring tone.
Always, my dear.
Il am happy here, only there is
chapter in my past that haunts me,
pursued the false-hearted Beatrice. Il
have friends whom 1 love. whom left
in poverty. trouble. Father, if I had
the means to visit them, to place them
in position beyond want, would re-
turn here satisfied, never to leave you
again.
You mean this, my daughter"
Il mean it, father.
AS understand it, you wish to go to
these friends-to bid them final fare
we'll, and to enrich them?"
Yes"
He led her to a room guarded with an
iron door. With key he unlocked
cabinet. It was stored with money
coin. bank notes, bonds.
Yours" he sad generously: all
yours. Take what you want. I shall
never ask how much, nor care. Deal as
with your friends as you like,
you go to them?"
Il must, father"
"Alone?"
Il will be careful-nothing will hap
zen to me.
Il shall worry-your absence will tor
ture me.
Not for long. Oh! dear father. you
make me happy in enabling me to make
my dearest friends happy. Let me go
at once-to-night, Tomorrow. In q
at the farthest. 1 shall re-
turn. Then shall forget them-all the
world save you"
She had carried her point. The first
important step in the plot Of her life |
was accomplished.
As the next morning. a little money |
filed sachel in her hand. she left the |
bound for Hopedale, her con-
fident heart told her that she would |
never return until she had won the man |!
she loved.