The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-02
Her would-be executioner was less

Her wouid-be executioner was less
fortunate. His violent movement
caused him to lose his balance; his wild
struggle to gsin the coveted pocketbook
cost him dear.
He stumbled and fell. A cry Of hor-
ror rent the woman's lips as his strug-
Cling form disappeared over the edge Of
the cliff and was swallowed up in the
black darkness of the ravine.
She listened with bated breath for
some sound or cry, but none came.
Then, thrilled, appalled,, she sped from
the spot.
Reaching the first cottage, she sum-
moned help. An old farmer and his
hired man accompanied her to the
ravine.. There. lying across a moss
overed rocks, they found the broken body
her husband.
He was still alive, and they bore him
to the village. Placed under q Doctors
care, he was nursed by his wronged but
faithful wife until morning.
At earliest dawn, bedraggled, limp
Ing form stole into Ridgeton and to
Maple Leaf Farm.
It was the baf1ed schemer, Ralph
Prescott. Before noon, taking with him
the entire contents Of Farmer John. g
strong box, he sneaked out OF the VII
lage.
That village never heard Of him again
for two years, then it was to learn thar
he had died In fight in far Western
gambling saloon.
The man Newcombe, whom the real
Paul Dalton had overpowered at the
cabin, was brought to town by the
sheriff and imprisoned. AS Paul Dalton
did not wish to make his own affairs
public, however, he was released later,
and disappeared.'
But on the morrow all Ridgeton knew
the story Of one mans noble sacrifice
and another man 8 vile plottings.
They knew, too, that to the last Isa-
bel had clung to the battered wreck Of
humanity, who died deploring, If not re-
pentant.
1t was week later, after the burial
Of her husband, that Isabel returned to
Ridgeton.
Paul Dalton and his wife welcomed
her at the. old home Of Geoffrey For
sythe, where they had begun life anew,
as husband and wife.
Il have come back to stay with you,
as you wish," said Isabel, sadly. Il
know you want me, and, with my life
wasted and broken, will feel happi-
ness to be near you. My father has for
given me-"
you have blessed our lives by lifting
the dark veil Of my past" returned
Paul, affectionately. You recovered
the fortune we would have lost. You
snail have 1t with US here, as friend, ad-
wiser, sister,"
Not here" answered IHabel, softly,
but at your proper home--Maple Leaf
Farm. Ruth, I have told your father
all the story Of your husbands noble
ness, Of the evil deeds Of his favorite,
Ralph Prescott, and he is broken.
hearted over the injustice he has done.
he Is here to ask forgiveness and take
you and your husband back to Maple
Leaf Farm"
Rugged old Farmer John was con.
trite, fearful man in that room minute
later.
A happy man as, with his daughter
and her husband, he returned to the Ole
home that had been SO cheetless with
out them.
He knew the true from the false now,
the poor metal from the dross, and
knew, too, that his future would be
bright and peaceful, assured Of the love
and devotion Of Hearts Of Gold.
Once more the golden grain is waving
over the broad. fertile acres; once more
Ruth's happy face beams from the
homestead door, and once more, blessed
by the love OF Paul, the sisterly devo-
ton Of Isabel, and the tender care OF
old Farmer John, she is tho Heiress OF
Maple Leaf Farm.
1.-THE END