The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-14
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CHAPTER XVIII
sToo 1ntni"


CONCLUSION.
TOO late!"
Just as Beatrice Mercer hurried to-
ward the house again the words eman-
ated from the shrubbery near the pit,
and the speaker stepped into view.
It was Raymond Marshall, but hot
the Raymond Marshall OF few days
previous. Hope, joy, excitement lllu-
minated his radiant face; horror, TOO.
shadowed it, as he glanced after the dis
appearing plotter. Then he drew lnto
the open space another form.
aShe meant murder. Oh, cruel! cru !!
How can she be so heartiessf AND
loved her, trusted her as sister"
Courage, Edna" spoke Marsha!l.
"The faithful Bruno led me here IN
time, it seems, to rescue you. You be-
lieye me now-that this woma2 de-
ceived me into that marriage. farce
that cannot dim our love, though IL may
part us in this world3"
oh, Raymond, let me leave this ter
rible pla2e!" 49,
aYes, 1 will take you back to the
farmhouse. Then to return and learn
the meaning Of this woman being here.
Wait! Some one else Is coming.
He had been led to the spot by. the
clever Bruno not ten minutes previous
had discovered Edna in the pit, had res
cued her, and now both shrank into the
shrubbery again as two forms crossed
the garden.
The steward and the housekeeper, re-
turned from the village, their words
reaching the ears Of the listening Ray
mond Marshall caused him to start v1o-
lently, for they were discussing Beatrice
Mercer. ,.,,
Creeping nearer to them, within TWO
minutes a hint, word. revealed to Kay
mond Marshall's quick mind marvel
pus suggestion.
Ke guessed at the truth now. This
dark schemer, Beatrice, had assumed
Edna Deane's name and place. Her
plots, her sudden wealth, her strange
movements all verified the surmise.
For a few moments he reflected.
Then, as the two people entered the
house, he took Edna's arm, and led her
towards it's open front portals.
Through the windows OF q brightly
lighted apartment he could see an olo
man reclining in an invalid's chair, ana
near to him sat his pretended dauehter'
Beatrice Mercer.
Without a word Of explanation to the
shrinking Edna, fired with the zeal OF o
confident discovery, Raymond Marshall
entered tho house.
A wild cry rang from Beatrice Mer-
,er's lips, and Mr.. Ralston stared won,
deringly at the intruders as Marshali
and his trembling companion Abruptly
entered the room. -, u,
-Alice-Edna!" exclaimed the invalid;
who are these people'"
= Alice? Edna?" repeated Marsnall,
Eagerly. is that the name she gives
herself! Pardon mo, sir, but have In
truded hero bccauso deem 1t duty 10
unmask that woman yonder.""
That woman-my daughter" ex'
claimed Ralston, Indignantly.
"She Is not your daughter. Beatrice
Mercer, your plots are known. silence!
Twill tell my story.
White rs marble Beatrice shrank
back as in forcible, emphatic words
RAYMOND Marshall, sentence by SEN
tence, revealed his suspicious. He
forced her to assent to his surmises; he
compelled Edna to relate her STORY.
With look of anger at the woman VINO
had deceived him, with loving glance
at tho timid Edna, when all mad peen
explained and made clear, MIR. Ralston
opened his arms to his real daughter.
Yes. YES, it Is true!" he murmured.
She has her sainted mothers face.
Oh! how could be so deceived? AS to
you
"Yes, as to me-" cried the baffled
Beatrice, scornfully. i am unmasked!
30 be it; but still have the power to
rule. I know your secret-you, an
escaped convict. You will be glad to
silence my lips with half your fortune,
or betray all.
Ralston paled and shuddered. At that
moment the door opened, however. An
emaciated form crossed the room.
Rodney" cried Mr.. Ralston, amazed.
It was the messenger he had sent fof
Edna to the Hopedale seminary, the
man who had seemingly perished at the
Yes, it is l." replied Rodney. "Ni.
raculously escaped death; just recoveret:
from my illness attending exposure and
injury, and In time to refute what thai
impostor says, for I overheard her words
and YOUR own. Ralston, light has come
at last! The man for whose crimes YOU
suffered Imprisonment is dead; and!
dying, he has confessed all and cleared
your name froru every taint of guilt"
-Oh, thank heaven!" cried Ralston,
fervently. AT lastl at last! Alice
Edna, my darling child. at last can
offer you an hoIored name, loving
home!"
May ycu be happy!" sneered Bea'
trice, malevolently. Il am baff!ed;
bcatcu-at every point except one, il
seems. Raymond Marshall, remember
that the Jaw gives me your name! YOU
ore my husband. That is more to me
than the honor Of Icing an ex-convict'
daughter or wealthy heiress!"
so DO it," spoke Raymond Marshall
solemnly. an namo l am your hus'
band, but Edna Dcane or Alice Ralstor
has my love till death. Fear not;
shall not bring reproach on her fail
name by remaining near her until the
law annuls O fraudulent marriage.
Edna, must hasten to your friends
the Blakcs, and tell them that you are
safe. They are very anxious about you
Tomorrow I will come to see that you
are safe and happy, and then l leave
YOU to battle this woman for my rights.
He passed from tho house as lie
spoke. His heart was happy, despite
the complications that evil plotterS hah
cast nbout his life