Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-07-25

His face was CHASTITY, his agl-
tated.
We are ruined!" he gasped incoher-
emily.
The imposter looked alarmed.
Speak, mani" he exclaimed; some
thing has happened?"
Yes, the worst-the very worst"
groaned Prescott. Not only will you
have to fly, but I myself as well, for now
all my connection with this wretched
affair will come out"
You mean"
The girl. Ruth"
What of her? Not dead?"
NO. She has escaped"
The impostor reeled where he stood,
as from some terrible shock.
"Impossible!' he gasped.
1T is true. You know the night we
made u compact, l removed her to the
charge Of a sordid old woman living | n .
secluded cabin in the forest?"
YES"
She watched her, drugged her, held
her q close captive. Two hours since I
visited the place to e II the girl was
all right"
And foun1-
Her gone, and the old woman tied
hand and foot near the open door. She
said that . woman had appeared q little
before, and had demanded I o see her
captive"
(Which she refused"
Promptly. The woman did not wait
to argue with her. With a strength that
was remarkable and effective she threw
her down and bound her, unlocked the
door of the Don in which Ruth was
confined. led her from the cabin. and
disappeared"
"A woman!" muttered the impostor,
with drawn brows, his anxious face
growing white every moment.
Yes; dark-eyed, wild-faced, and hav-
ing a scar under n eye"
Isabel" groaned the impostor. "She
threatened-she meant it.
And who is Isabel" demanded Pres
colt.
Ask me no questions, but act, cried
the other, excitedly. Ruth Elliott is
free. Her rescuer knows, or at least
surnlises. every detail of our plots, and
is bound to balk them if possible. There
is only one thing to do"
What is it,"
Secure the fortune"
III We can
we must!7
But
i saw the lawyer this afternoon. He
characterized my haste as unusual, but
the offer OF u large fee induced him to
expedite matters. l signed some neces-
sary papers, and he said if he could get
certain securities from the bank this af-
ternoon, he would close up the matter
with me this evening. Come"
~Where?"
To Lawyer Drew's house.
The impostor walked the street like a
man who had just escaped prison or was
fearing arrest, with his apprehensive
backward glanccs and his cautious for
ward ones.
He did not impart all his suspicious to
his companion. Had he told Ralph
Prescott all, the latter would have
shrank from going on with a plot in
which q wronged woman's hand was yet
to turn the die OF destiny,
They found Mr.. Drew immersed in
documents in his library, deep in the in
tricacies OF business relating to the case
in hand.
Not too iate-she has not been here,
at least" breathed the impostor, re-
lievedly.
Il will be really for you in a moment,
Mr.. Dalton, spoke the lawyer. Il pre-
sented your papers in court, secured the
necessary %bondsmen, and as there is the
realty still left in my hands that would
cover any possible future claim against
a mai who never contracted any debts.
l am justified in paying you over the
money Godfrey Forsythe left you, only,
I find it difficult to CONVEX all the secur-
tiles into cash."
Well, give me what you can" inter-
rupted the impostor, impatiently.
oh, | have realized on nearly all the
personal property" announced Drew.
Here" and he handed owe some re-
ceipts. are some papers to sign"
With feverish haste and a trembling
hand the avaricious schemer signed the
documents rendered.
Here you will find over thirty thou
sand dollars Of the legacy" continued
Lawyer Drew, extending a long pocket
book. The residue you can call for or
have sent you within a month"
Little danger of his ever calling for
It; one safe in foreign lands, he would
be fully satisfied with the bulk of the
fortune, decided the eager impostor.
He took the wallet and counted over
the crisp bills 1t contained and slowed
it in his pocket, watched with wolish,
suspicious eyes by Ralph Prescott.
He babe the lawyer a hurried good
by, and fastened down the street with
the urgency Of a man found on a mis-
sion of life and death.
ITO BE CONTINUED