Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-06-20
IL 4a5!F
CHAPTER V.
t,RfvRN FROM EDES.

CHATTER v.
DRfvRN FROM EDES.
An cx-cOnvict!
As il he had been dealt sudden and
terrible blow. as the yindictive Ralph
Prescott spoke those words, Paul Dalton
staggered under fearful shock.
His face became the color OF ashes,
his eyes expressed the wretchedness and
despair Of u man lost utterly. and, clutch
ing at u chair for support, he gasped. in
quivering, agonized tone:
1t has come at last. The blow has
TALENT"
Farmer John stared at him with won
dering, half-believing face. Ruth, with
little cry Of terror, more at his bearing
than at the accusation, seemed unable
10 rally from tie shock it gave her.
Only the revengeful, excited Prescott
was alive to the real issue OF the mo-
ment.
do you see?' he cried in jeering, ex-
ultant tones H8 dares not deny it.
Let him dare say it amt true! I'll
prove what say-I'll prove it now and
here.
Il neither affirm nor deny it. Let me
pass.
The words were sob. With dazed
eyes, his face void Of misery, Paul
Dalton grUpcd blindly for the door.
Through it he passed. Upon him it
closed. The crafty Prescott himself
was amazed. He had counted on tri-
umph, but the victory had come too easy
out struggle. He had not even afforded
him IN opportunity to gloat over his
downfall.
Farmer John had sunk TO chair,
fairly overcome. He had housed not
only thief. 9 trifier with the affections
of his only child. but man reeking with
the pris0n-rot branded as q wretch.
with his hand against every man, and
every man'asAands against his own!
Choking d0~n her dread, her uncer-
tainty. her anguish, Ruth managed to
tettcr to her feet.
Father shaswailed, II love him."
An awful frOwn darkened the brow Of
John Elliott
Silence!~ he ordered sternly. Speak
that mans name In my presence again
ana dtsOwn you. Meet him, even adj
you. And I trusted him--a thief, con-
Wet
1t 10 false Father! father!" cried
Ruth, acan you think 1t true when you
remember his goodness? His face is
not the taco Of o criminal, and his words
to me--Ohi my heart is breaking, break
ing
Why, he did not even deny it, NUT
tered Elliott
He dared not, burst out Prescott.
eLet him try it, | have u man at the
village who knows him--was in the
vn3ke uN &c.
forgery, and pleaded guilty to get q
light sentence Well rid Of him, Mr.. Ell
lott. Lucky to get him away without
your throat cut Or your house burned
over your head.
Ruth was sobbing piteously. A real
ization that her tears were shed for the
man he SO hated nettled the spiteful
Prescott like an ox-g adj.
And worse than all, he tried to steal
her away from me-. He"
Enough Of this, ordered Farmer
John. sternly. It's an experience I
shall profit by I've heard OF such viii
!, iains-rObbing their benefactors, de-
luding silly girls. He's not the man to
leave US In peace, even after all the
trouble he has made He'll hang
around and try to meet Ruth again, and
work ON her sympathies, but there shall
be no such risk. Ruth, you know my
iron will. There will be no further de-
lay. Ralph. your marrying her was set
tied long ego.
Father
Silence! My blessing or my curse
n convict or m honest man-take your
choice. You marry Ralph Prescott
within y . week. or yoa'Ee my roof for
ever.
He lifted the crushed girl to her feet,
and led her from the room as he spoke.
Her sobs died away in the distance.
Grim-faced. the Roman father In mien
and heart, he stood looking from the UNI
curtained window.
The crafty Ralph, gloating with tri-
umph, approached him, but he waved
him gloomify aside.
Paul Dalton crossed the broad stream
-! lamplight cast across the gravel path
minute later
His heals was bowed. his face color
Never d word did he speak, never a
backward glance did he take, until he
had reached the stile.
His face was one great void of de-
spair as no halted and, turning slowly,
locked across the fair field and the
bright haven that was home to him nc
more.
s !" It has come. he murmured, broken.
~ Il might have known il. What
right had to. love, what right to drag
an innocent life to shame and sorrow!
And dared not deny--I dared not
speak my promise. my oath. Well, it il
only one more fetter to the heavy chain
hut she-it was no crime to love her
but heaven forgive me for the grief !
have brought TO the woman whose love
was the one bright star of cherries
existence"
He turned to take the highway that
bounded the Eden Of his dreams, but
paused suddenly.
From the hedge woman's form had
fluttered.
Her hands grasped his own spasmodi,
4 cajlr a,ln1nute later.
.-kaihl"
Il njltsMaatu where she stood, her eyes
burning up into his own.
One word before you 60. she walled
piteously. Innocent or guilty-tsll me