Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-06-06

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berth until after dark.
Farmer John met him the next fora.
noon, and asked him what was up b,,t
he evaded dir ct reply.
Pretty Ruth only laughed slyly when
interrogated. He was too happy; she
saw too much Of brave, earnest paIl
Walton those days to get even the Off.
eious Ralph into trouble by betrayinp
his rudeness.
Once only she met the surly Ralph
face to face.
I'm watching and I'm thinking, he
told her in tragic accents OF mysterious
import. "You won't keep up your flirta-
tion very long"
Poor Ralph" she replied banterinely.
Don't Think. The effort might bring on
brain fever!"
Don't fret!' flashed out Ralph tiercely.
I You'll see what kind Of a man this new
lover Of yours is soon. You're mine, ~
rights; it was always 80 understood, and
I'll have revenge"
Happy Ruth laughed at the dark
threats and blushed at the idea of a
lover.
Ralph evaded Paul Dalton, aflathema
tized him at a distance, refused to break
bread at the same table with him. and
the third night after the alteration
stole cautiously into the house ut dusk.
stole guiltily out again, and made for
the distant village much with the excite
ment and haste of midnight assassin.
I've done it, he chuckled, gleefully.
-Old Elliott has been suspicious for a
week. He'll miss it. sure, and the way
I've fixed tt"
Crafty Ralph seemed to feel very san.
guine and very joyful over some plot
that bid fair to materialize ere the even
ing had passed away.
I He reached the village and proceeded
straight to its tavern.
Arrived, it seemed necessary for him
to prop up his courage, for he drained
several glasses at the bar, and then, re-
firing TO an inner room, sat at table
lost in reflection.
III give it time to come to focus"
he soliloquized I'm about an hour I'll
go home and witness the explosion.
Paul Walton, you crossed bad mans
track when you crossed mine!"
More meditation, the crafty face cx-
pressing varied and fieeting emotions,
and then Ralph drew two photographs
from his pocket.
At one he gazed fondly; it was that Of
Ruth
At the other he glared venomously-
hatred and jealousy held in thrall in one
concentrated look.
Il stole it from her room. He gave it
to her." Kissed the self confessed thief.
How hate him"
Paul Walton's placid eyes gazed up
from the picture. Their earnest glance
maddened his Infatuated rival
He spread it out upon the table; he
! struck II: he spat upon it.
Then, taking out his pocket-knife, he
began - jab at it.
How hate him!" He burrowed out
one eye. Il wish it was his real throat
And the envenomed plotter described
skillful swoOp across the cardboard
| There's his miserable heart!" Jab, iab
jab!-the blade quivered in the innocent
picture, until it was perforated like a
bullet-riddled battle flag.
| "Hello Queer amusement, says"
| Ralph Prescott started violently
Tnrning quickly, he observed tramp
| ish-looking fellow at his elbow.
Who are your" he demanded, angrily;
what business
The stranger leered craftily at the
picture. unmoyed by Ralph's clustering
manner.
Queer amusement, / says" he re-
peated, insolently.
rs it any OF your business?" de-
handed Ralph, hotly, securing and hid
ing the photograph.
"Oh, no, retorted the other, coolly:
only l can guess the truth-you hate
that man.
Ralph gritted his teeth vengefully
And you haven't got pluck enough to
deal with the real fellow as you do with
his picture"
See here" began Ralph, furiously.
NO, you see here. I'm a keen one,
am. Mebbe can help you. That man
is rival, eh?'
Suppose he ISL
And you want to get even with him."
What II do?"
We'll, know something It's curious
how know it, but happen to, all the
same. You want revenge. Tell me
your story, all about that man, and I'll
tell you something in return that will
make your eyes snap. I'll show you a
way Of revenge that will make you just
get up and howl with delight"
DO you mean it," muttered Ralph,
obviously.
Treat me right, promise me enough
to pay nights lodging and keep, and
see il I'm boasting."
over their glasses Ralph Prescott re-
luctantly awarded the confidence de-
handed
Now, them" he cried expectantly,
glazing in eagerness at his companion.
Now then it is. When l saw that
picture l was sort Of startled
"Why?"
Il know that man."
"You know him."
Yes"
What of it?'
His name begins with a W, first
name Paul. Is that clever guess?
and how's Dalton for the rest of it?"
Il don't see anything wonderful in
that. Everybody about here knows
that"
Yes, but I don't live about here.
Never was here before, and didn't know
that Paul Dalton was within a thousand
miles Of here"
Well. knowing now that he is, what
! of it,"
What of it, repeated the other ex-
cltedly. This Of it, II I can tell Won
something about that man that will
sweep him from your path like a hurri-
/