Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-06-13
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
L STARTLING ActUsATioN.
Something wrong!"
Paul Dalton uttered the words more
than once upon the day that preceded
the meeting OF two precious rogues at
the Ridgaton tavern
The field hands repeated them as they
cast askance glances at their master
Farmer john was "out O Sorts" in
the dumps, with temper exceedingly
contrariwise, and face that lowered
like a rainfringed cloud.
vi that day he barely spoke to Ruth:
he treated Dalton with gruf incivility;
and woe hetide the laborer whom he
caught shirking his duty.
Wheat's gone down"
No; he's been caught on bad horse
trade.
Mebbe it's Dalton. He's getting
rather spOony On the girl, and you know
Farmer John has set his heart on a
match with Ralph Prescott.
These and like gossipy explanations
floatad on the air--all very far from the
true solution to the mystery of Farmer
Johns bad temper, however.
Meantime. with Ralph Prescott nurs-
ing and developing his spite, and Farmer
Jonn storing up wrath for q near explo-
sion, there were two happy, unconscious
souls that saw only gold In the dazzling
sunshine, and fancied the songs Of the
birds the sweetest music, in harmony
with hearts vibrating to new and delight
full emotions.
They loved, these two, Ruth and
Paul; they had loved long and purely,
but in unexpressed fcrvor. Now, with
the revelation OF the white violets, their
eyes spoke; q tell-tale flush, an ardent
glance, 4 murmured term OF endear-
ment brought them to the threshold of
life's sweetest, hottest experience.
II memory OF false position and q
mysterious past Swallowed the lovers
heart mOmentarily he drove it away.
II . thought of the stern will OF the
erratic grandsifc, other stubborn father,
with eyes blinded to the deficiencies of
Ralph Prescott. came to Ruth mind she
great bliss that had come into her life to
overshadow it all.
So these two golden hearts, with un-
seen barriers already placed between
them, glided on to the bitter fate that
mans subtlety and the workings OF a
stern, merciless destiny were weaving
for them.
IN not speak. muttered Farmer
John as he entered the house for supper
IN not make mistake and accuse an
innocent man. I'll wait once more.
should miss penny the way l have
fixed things. and I'll watch again. The
next thief who visits my room gets
caught.
He was silent and unsocial all the
evening meal. Had he been less
absorbed In his grim suspicious
thoughts Of those present, however,
he would have noted the lurking figure
OF Ralph Prescott as he stole into the
house and then stole out of it again.
The meal over, with quick glance at
Ruth, Paul Dalton left the room.
The farmer supposed he had gone to
his own apartment anti sat down to read
the weekly newspaper.
At his task-fOr 1t was such that even
ing, with his mind torn with conflicting
dOubts-Farmer John moved restlessly,
lay down the paper, took it up again,
pondered, dOzed and finally fell into
nap.
He was aroused about nine o'clock by
the entrance Of Paul Dalton, apparently
from up stairs.
A minute later Ruth appeared, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes vaguely ques-
tioning the keen glance her father fast
ened upon her.
visit girl friend on the next farm, John
Elliott wss interrupted by the entrance
of two farm hands.
They had decided to leave his employ
with the morning, and, according to
- roovNosaf ha.1 GONNA fOp thar
Better stay In q comfortable home for
the winter, boys" spoke Elliott, always
considerable to his help.
No, the men we're obiurate. They
had quite little store of savings, and
their ambition was to try the attractions
in the way of money making Of the
great, magnetic city.
All right. What do l owe your"
queried the farmer.
He'll tell, hos got it all down in
black and white, returned one of the
men. with nod TO Paul, whose figures
never made mistake in their admiring
conviction.
Paul got down the books and stated
the amount. Farmer John took out his
keys, and. lamp in hand. proceeded to
his room upstairs.
Those below heard startled cry a
minute later Then the angry tramp OF
a hurried mans feet, and John Elliott
re-entered the ROOM
His face was white with passion, his
eyes were terrible. Absorbed with some
overwhelming emotion, he seemed on
the verge Of choking.
In one hand. he bore the lamp, in the
other, q roll Of bank-notes. Placing the
lamp on the table, trembling like leaf,
pent-up volcano of rage, he counted
out several OF the bills, ard extended
them to the wondering Paul Dalton.
There's your months pay. he said,
in tone that grated on Ruth's alarmed
ears until abe shuLdered. take it,
pack your traps and go"
Mr.. Elliott" cried Dalton, in dunn
founded bewilderment, what does this
mean?"
Col" snapped the farmer, savagely.
Be wise, young man, don't tempt me to
speaki You know why. I've found you
ont. Go, while you may. before l for
get that you we're once honest, once .
help to me. Got"