Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-06-20
CHAPTER VI.
DrSOwNED,

DrSOWNED
II cannot. dare not tell you!"
The words seemed to sound doom,
disaster to all Ruth Elliott's hopes-the
despairing misery in Paul Dalton's eyes
crushed her.
She had pleaded for an answer to that
wild appeal, to know II he was innocent
or guilty, for the sake of the love that
was breaking her poor, anxious heart,
and he had replied to her thus!
The clinging hands relaxed with
shudder. Terror In her eyes, she sur.
veyed him In dubious dread.
"Oh, my love, she walled brokenly,
you cannot mean that the cruel words
Ralph Prescott spoke are true!' He
said you we're
@An ex-convict!' cried Paul, the jar
ing dissonance of tortured accents in
his tones. Did he not also say that he
could prove it, and The laughed
harshly, bitterly-"I am powerless to
refute him.
Ruth's eyes distended with shivering
anxiety.
Then it is true?" she gasped.
He grasped her hands suddenly. He
looked down into her shrinking eyes
with that earnest impressiyeness that
told that falsehood could never actu-
ate it.
They said was thief, he began.
"Oh, that know is false"
"They make another charge, Ruth.
What have feared has come. Better
for your sake, better for the sake Of
those you love, better for myself that
gulf all this mystery, a mystery I dare
ut 1nsp fCNPr al
Good-by."
"You are innocent. Oh: see it in
your face. read it in your patient,
suffering eyes. Leave you-forget you?
Do you value a true woman's love so
lightly as that? Speak. Paul! conjure
you. Give me the one assurance my
torn heart Graves. Only say that you
are innocent, and though they pile proof
mountain high, will see your brave
face shining, serene, defiant, above it
ALL"
Paul Dalton pale. undecided features
showed that he was suffering intensely
Ruth, he said calmly, at last, sup
pose this man Prescott, who hates me
SO, should prove that one Paul Dalton
was imprisoned for forgery, filled a hide
GUS cOnyict's cell; suppose the records
evidence 1t, the testimony Of others APP
parently verifies it, and I, unable to dis
prove it, unwilling to lift the veil of q
mystery that would wreck lives hold
precious, should deny it, simply deny it,
and say to you, face to face, heart to
heart. 1t is cruel lie, what would you
say?'
With wild cry Of joy, OF perfect con-
fidence, the fair young girl buried her
face on his shoulder.
"Oniy sly, that, She breathed fer
vently, only tell me that you are inno-
ceht!'
1T is true-but there all explanation
must cease. Even to you, the woman I
love, dare not explain mystery that
links my life to gloom and doubt. My
lips are sealed"
But, surely"
@The veil will lift?-yes, spoke Paul,
bitterly when a heart of iron Wills
it-when he--no, have said too much.
To the censor OF my fate, to the keeper
Of my destiny, will make last appeal
for justice. II I fail-good-by! In a
month I will return, If the CALLING
chains can be unlinked."
"A MONTH" cried Ruth, shudderingly.
DO you know what that will mean-do
you realize that my father. IRONY illed,
resolute. will by that time make me the
the wife Of the man whom you and
know to have caused all this trouble?"
He would not press the sacriflce--oh,
surely, never!' painted Dalton, his eyes
flashing Indignantly. He would not
doom you, his darling child, to loveless
existence. 1t shall not bel cannot
| lose you'll will not see you bound to
Indebtedness unutterable. Ruth, ] will
clear up this mystery will stand in
nOcent before the world: but if I lose
| yOu-' s#
There was the interruption of passing
pedestrians, and they crossed the grove.
| Toward the distant town their feet
/ ing to his words and suggestions, trem-
bling, fearful, as she realized that, once
| parted, once her fathers resOlute will
was carried out, their future happiness
was doomed.
| She sped home AL hour later, fright
ened, anxious look in her young face.
J, She gained the house unObserved.
For his sake!" she murmured. @He is
innocent; he loves me. He has gone to
clear his name-tO remove the stain of
shame and mystery. When they know,
must endure the blow. 1t was right
1t was the only way; and love him SO
Il love him sol
! Affairs seemed to come back to their
usual routine within the course of the
! next few days.
4 There was settled cloud on Farmer
| Johns brow, but 1t was one Of suspicion
and watchfulness alone, and it became
! less dense as he seemed to be convinced
at last that Paul Dalton had aeft the vi
/ cinity for good, and that Ruth was get
ting over her foolish fancy for him.
Ralph Prescott did not worry Ruth
with either taunts or attenti ms.
There was new light in the girls
eyes that he did not Ikea definite con
seriousness OF security, mute defiance
that made him restless.
He was content to await the develop.
| ments Of the case, and they came quickly
Farmer John was obdurate, once an
| idea got into his stubborn head
! He made long call on Geoffrey
| Forsythe; he was Thoughtful. preoccupied
Alf one day. At eventide, as Ruth Pres
colt and himself were seated in the
cozy dining-room, he said, abruptly:
Ruth, come here.
She had been watching the frs,
feathery snow flakes Of the year, she
| had been thinking OF him! Guiltily
tremblin9ly, she walked to her fathers
side.
You have always been good girl,