Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-07-18

get the fortune, leave ana enjoy IL.
And after we're gomez"
Let these people figure out the COST
Of being too sure Of . maj at their v
leisure"
1T will be . surprising awakening to
reality" smiled the other grimly. paul.
about him"
"s-st. No names. Him. What Of
him?"
Hes safe and sound. isn't he2"
"For the present"
"FOr q week. surely?"
"Yes; but afterwards"
unlock the door, cay Go! Wen be
safe and far away by tho time he ZONES
here"
AN right. All! thank you. A hun
dred? need It. No instruction."
yes, get back to Black Rock, and
stay there. Watch him close. II he
escaped-
Don't fear. he won't"
1T would mean ruin to our plans"
Il realize that as we'll as you. I guess
Very good. I'll take q look at the
rich girl, just for policy's sake. Then
I'll try aud devise q way to kill time
until the lawyers ready to pay me my
fortune"
what does it mean?"
Over and over again the marvelling
Ralph Prescott asked himself the ques-
tor.
Here was a plot. beyond the perad-
Who was the bearded man? A fellow
conspirator? In what? A plot. A plot
for what? The fortune. But why?
The acknowledged, proven and ac-
copied heir to the legacy, why should
Paul Dalton plot to secure that which
was already his?
Above all, who was the man so mys-
teriously and covertly alluded to?
II can't make it QUIT" muttered the
dazed Prescott.
I'll find a way!" he asserted stub
bornly, a few minutes later. Black
Rock! At that place this accomplice OF
Paul Dalton makes his headquarters,
and q gruesome, desolate place it is.
There he has him. III drive there to-
night, and take q look around. No, I
won't. Dalton spoke Of 60 ng to see
Ruth. Out of sheer curiosity I'd like to
see how he acts when he does meet her. "
Prescott left his place of espionage
and hurried back to the former home Of
Godfrey Forsythe.
He met the woman in charge Of Ruth
at the door.
"How is she?" he asked, concernedly.
neutrality-suspicious. at times, then
rational. She sits up every now and
then, looks around her confusedly, and
then with q wild shrek, covers her face
with her hands, and cries out wildly that
her heart is broken that her husband Is
false! false! false!"
"A man will call here in q few mo-
ments," spoke Prescott; show him in
when he comes. 1t is her husband, Paul
Dalton"
The woman looked startled.
And leave him with her alone for q
few moments, went on Prescott. IF
she recognizes him, he may be able to
quiet her"
All right, Mr.. Prescott"
Prescott proceeded to the apartment
adjoining that in which Ruth lay. He
placed its door slightly ajar, SO he could
look into the sick-room. and see and
hear all that was going on.
There was a ring at the door bell, and
q parley a few minutes later.
The woman ushered Paul Dalton into
the sick-room and left him there.
Curiously the watcher in the next
apartment regarded him.
49, w AIoGO " ~ =
q frightened look ON the face Of his
rival.
The latter advanced to the couch and
glanced down at Ruth.
Then he started back quickly.
PAUL"
Springing up suddenly, Ruth Elliott
with staring eyes transfixed the intruder.
Fascinated by the weird manner of the
invalid, he seemed utterly overcome.
PAUL" gasped the tortured girl, you
have come back, and-changed! Paul!
Paul! I know all. You deceived me.
You were welded to another
Her visitor seemed ~nervously anxious
to leave the room, but he managed to
~articulate confused,y:
mo. it is not true. I was welded
once, but she, my wife, died, and"
A shrek interrupted Infringing,
echoing, appalling.
Az he spoke, Ruth Elliott had started.
Not upon his words did her interest
hang, but upon that strange, changed
tone.
Viewing him as IL she would read him
through aud through, she cried wildly:
He is not false. Oh! I see it all,
Paul Dalton! The mystery. the secret
he spoke Of. Stay! / command you to
remain where you are."
The man absolutely covered. Amazed
at his craven fear, the watching Ralph
Prescott could only stare and marvel.
@He Is true, my loyal love" went on
Ruth, excitedly. Il know it now; /
divine the mystery now. Ralph Pres
colt was only mistaken, but you, i'm
postor-I read your raven SOUL"
White as death, the intruder recoiled,
for Ruth, leaning toward him, projected
the thrilling words:
Speak, ere l call for help to unmask
you! I know what you are. not what
you seem. Speak, imposter, coward,
perhaps murderer! What have you done
with my husband-the real Paul Dali
ton?"
ITO BE CONTINUERl
THE mantle of James Russell
- >.~~ll ..ka~