Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-07-25

CaAPTER XVI.

Judge, could not have exhibited more
emotion than did tho man whom Ralph
Prescott had accepted rs Paul Dalton.
ut tho sOul-thrilling words Of the excited
Ruth Elliott.
6trangs words they were-wild words,
bordering seemingly on incoherency.
Were they the result Of Authorization,
dclirium? No! AS the rapt lurker
studied the face OF the beautiful girl, he
knew that the penetrating gaze Of ca
son, the great thrObbing instinct OF love,
had aided her 10 see beyond the super
iicial. aud had unmasked yillainy.
Ia plain words, she accused this man
with being an impOstor. In awful ar
fragment before the bar OF her womanly
conviction. she charged him with the
crime of rObbing her OF her husband.
Then he was not Paul Dalton, not her
husband, not the ex-Superlntendent Of
Maple Leaf Farm! He was an impostor,
= fraud. and, a. the truth flashed upon
Ralph PrescOtt's excited mind, he now
cornprahended many vague and perplex-
ing utterances that he han overheard
him use during the evenful evening just
past.
Furthermore, as he gazed, h. mar
veled how he could ever have taken this
man Tor Paul Dalton. There was q mar
vel0us resemblance. but of features
alone. for the dissimilarity In soul, In
expression. was utterly lacking.
Nhat had aided to deceive Prescott
was the shAytng Oh Of the beard. This
prepared him for . change In looks. As
Q the voice, . slight cold might recount
Tor tho hnskiness that made this Paul
Dalton talk 80 differently from the
other, the real Paul Dalton.
Yes, there could be no doubt Of it, the
truth wAs out, the pl0tter unmasked, q
fraud revSaied that completely outvied
all Ralph Prescott's puerile villainy.
This man, : relative OF Paul Dalton.
= nan ct least exactly resembling him,
had heard Of his legacy. He had Inn
prtsOned the real holr; the bearded man,
his accOmpltce, was his jaiier: he had
boldly assumed Paul Dalton's identity;
he was schsning to secure the Forsythe
fortune and fly with It, leaving the real
legatee . bAggar.
The bowtidering complications that
were thus put In play made Ralph Pres
colts brain fairly reel with surmise and
uncertainty.
The false Paul Dalton covered like .
before the flashing glance Of
Ruth Elliott. A woman's shrewdness
had penetrated his bold assumption OF
the identity Of the mar he resembled 30
extraordinarily.
He had deluded Prescott and the law
yer. but now he WAS unmasked, and one
word publicly spoken by the woman be-
lore him would not only cost him q for
tune but might send him to : penal
institution.
That word, however, was never
spoken. OF . sudden. the nerves OF the
sgitatod Ruth gave way, the strain Of
the hour becoming too intense for her
already weakened nature. With . moan
she sank senseless to the floor. The
impostor glanced at her affrightedly for
moment or two, and then with q white,
scared face, hurried from the
Ralph Prescott was after him In q
flash. He directed . hurried Injunction
to the woman who was attending Ruth
TO look ID her charge. then he wal dash
ing from the house in pursuit OF . figure
flying down the deserted street, as II
pursued BY : pestilence.
-Stopl
Al the impostor dashed across .
vacant fir.Iined lot the mandate rang out
clear. sharp, imperiOus.
He was trembling all over, his face
was the color Of ashes. his eyes haunted
with q fearful dread, his manner cowed,
crushed; little like that Of the naughty,
insOlent tyro Of the early evening, ~ he
turned and faced Ralph Prescott.
The latter, realizing his advantage,
pressed It promptly.
What do you want?"
-You.
-Oh. peering closer. lit Ia Prescott.
Give me time to catch my breath. mani"
He leaned against q tree and painted
furiously. Ralph Prescott watched him.
as might q cat q mouse. He had corr
nsred his q He knew what to do
now, fast enough.
You've made a mess Of it," he said.
bsuntly, at last.
Have II" And the other laughed un-
easily. What do you mean?"
4 have followed you all the evening"
The impostor started.
I overheard your conversation with
your accomplice at tho hotel, the
bearded man..
Newcombe!" calculated the impostor.
Ali II that his name? Thank you.
Yes. Newcombe, the jaiier OF the real
Paul Dalton at Black Rock"
The shot told. Ralph Prescott had
guessed the truth. His companion
shivered at his words.
You know ALL an lost" he mutt
tered. AT least, the game is."
4 furthermore pursued Prescott,
coOlly, witnessed your interview With
Ruth Elicit.
The impostor was silent. He was
overwhelmed ct the fas~t-occurring dis