Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-07-11
CHAPTER XIII.
WHAT A CHANGE!

Paul Dalton or his ghost!" Ralph
Prescott had apparently spoken truly.
The intruder vas now fully revealed,
and at him the startled schemer stared
wOnderingly.
The first shock Of the strangeness OF
the appearance passed away quickly,
however. 1t did not seem to be because
Paul Dalton had returned, because he
was here, that Prescott was bewildered,
1t was the suggestion of the unreal, OF
The amy, that had Jared his nerves
and left him o gaping, dubious mar
Weller
For there was something unusual,
something unnatural, in the ance
OF the intruder.
His lurking actions were rather eau
tious than stealthy, and as he returned
the look Of his challenger it was with an
expression in his eyes entirely foreign
to the keen, penetrating look that the
former farm superintendent ordinarily
wore.
Again, u few days had made a great
change in Paul Walton's features.
He had shaven his face perfectly
clean, his hair had been cropped close,
he dressed In a loud, affected style.
His eyes seemed to have grown small
or, his face was more puffy. Such a
change Ralph Prescott would scarcely
have believed possible had he been told
OF it, but personal inspection was his,
and he could only look and wonder.
Into his mind erept a solution of the
mystery, quick and tangible.
Paul Dalton had probably been away
visiting his other wife-seeing other
friends, and had modernized his appear
ance from the farm employee to the poll
ished gentleman and villain Of society.
He had heard Of his good fortune,
doubtlessly. He could now throw down
the mask. From the smooth, courteous
hypocrite, he would become the naughty,
domineering tyrant.
Every fine sentiment seemed to have
left his face. He looked like q man who
had been dissipating heavily.
In fact, only that the general con
tour Of features was the same, one
might have believed him some person
slightly resembling Paul Dalton, but
by no means the refined, frank-eyed
lover OF Ruth Elliott.
You're Prescott" he remarked, and
the man addressed started vaguely, for
the information sounded as II the speaker
had q cold-as little like Paul Dalton az
possible.
However, Prescott scowled, drew back,
and, jerking his head over his shoulders,
sid;
She's in there"
"She, who? Oh! the girl?"
The intruder edged away q little.
Sick to death" supplemented Pres
colt.
Paul Dalton look relieved.
Il don't care to see her, he said.
@I've come ON business; just got word
about the fortune. See here, Prescott,
where does the lawyer who made the
will liver"
"A worse rascal than / thought hint"
muttered Prescott, studying the sensual,
selfish face Of the intruder. He thinks
little enough OF Ruth now. Maybe the
fortune was his scheme all along. I
never In my life saw avarice change q
man 80. III had met him casually I
actually would not have taken him for
Paul Da1ton.s
Aloud, - did not 1t once reply to
Dalton. Why should he handy words
With the man who had robbed him OF
bride and booty7
And then. the glow Of sinister Curl
osity led him to the semblance Of q
friendly interest.
The lawyer Only q few squares
distant he replied, finally.
SHOW me where.
Don't you wish to see your-your
wife?"
mo-
You're in q tremendous hurry to grab
your fortune, It seems to me-.
Il am