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


Elliott. NO, call him Ia thief"
CHAPTER ~.
DENOUNCED.
The scene that ensued to the wild
declaration of Farmer John was start
ling tableau.
Somewhere back in Paul Walton's
life there had been time when that
proud spirit of his would have sprang to
arms in flash, at the touch Of the goad
Of injustice.
His flashing eyes, his quickening
breath showed it now, as with clenched
hands he strobe forward, as il to lay the
author OF the daring accusation at his
feet.
Then, with superb control, and re-
Numbering that his accuser was the
father OF the woman he loved, the young
man folded his arms calmly and said. in
clear, steady tones:
Mr.. Elliott, you will regret those un-
just words. You arc laboring under
some honest mistake. l am no thief.
John Elliott tried to crush the speaker
with single look of utter incredulity
and contempt.
Then, firm in the conviction that au-
dacious hypocrisy deserved its fate.
with merciless roughness he told his
story.
He had missed yarious sums of money
for month past, first Il trifle, thelrquite
large amount
Some one was in the habit of feloni-
Ously entering his room and rifing the
cabinet in which he kept his money.
At six O'Clock that evening he had Wis
tied his room, assured himself of the
exact contents Of the cabinet, and had
locked it securely.
Since then, no one mad gone into the
upper portion Of the house except the
accused
At this statement, Daiton's lips moved
as ii to speak. Then with start ami a
glance at Ruth, he allowed it to 90 un-
contraiicted
When he went up stairs to obtain the
money for the men, Farmer John per-
ceived to his amaZement, as he opened
the cabinet, that two packages of bank
notes, representing nearly four hundred
dollars. were missing.
He had entertained grave suspicious
of his superintendent before. Impulse
drove him to enter his room. disar-
ranged pillow on the bed directed a
search. Beneath it he had iound--one
of the packages, the one now in his,
hand.
More than that, on The floor Of the
room he had picked up 1. key. 1t fitted
to the cabinet. Paul Dalton was an ac-
complished thief.
You entered my room tonight, was
the unwavering accusation; you stole
the money.
He is Innocent!
,a~slI -, 1:
with the certainty of proof, i;entient with
the trustfulness of loving woman's
heart, the words rang forth from Ruth
ElliOtt's lips
She knew. Oh! with happy. fervent
delight she realized the frail rock of
certainty upon which her prejudiced
father had erected a stupendous fabric
Of suspicion.
"Girl!" scowied Elliott anxrily, Il told
you once that this is no concern OF
yours.
NO, it Is mine alone interrupted
Walton quickly. Ruth, he whispered
unanimously, silence! To reveal the
truth, in his present mood, would invoke
his deepest anger"
With a moan Ruth Elliott sank to
chair, her face colorless, her heart fiutter-
ing like an imprisoned bird.
Paul Walton had spoken truly. He
was innocent; she knew it. He had not
been near his room that evening. A
loving tryst at the moonlit glade had
filed in those two precious hours, and
her lips were sealed, because he had
babe her be silent.
But he was innocent. Oh, the Joy Of
1t! Standing there. accused, mute for
her sake, her heart went out to him in
strengthened love.
You can give up tho other package of
money or not, as you choose. spoke
Farmer John. Il shall not have you
arrested on account Of your past serv-
ices, but you must leave this house to-
night: you must go at once
Innocent or guilty." murmured Wal
ton.
Innocent: Does the key show it?
Does hidden plumber show it?"
Il never saw key or money before.
Some one placed them in my room, some
enemy
BAH" scornfully interrupted Elliott,
you have heard my decision-go!"
He shall not go"
Trembling all over, yet with resolute
face, Ruth stole to the side of her accused
lover.
She caught his hand III her own. Love,
unmistakable, unhidden from all the
world, spoke In her words, manner, and
attitude.
Are youcrazy?" exclaimed her father,
staring vaguely at her glowing face.
Girl" in a terrible tone Of suspicion,
what does this mean?"
1T means that know him to be in
nocept-that, in one word, can prove it.
He did not steal your money because he
was not in the house to-night-he was
was not in the house tonight"
"Ruth-Ruth, silence! Do you not see
that this will anger him"
Twill speak! He was notin the house,
because he met me at the stile. He met
me there because our trOth is plighted,
and love him against all the world,
against all your cruel unjust accusa-
tons"
She flung herself into his arms as she