The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-08-06

Shc could scarcely comprehend the
rare success Of her imposture as, later
that evening, she sat in the boudoir OF
the suite Of rooms apportioned to her In
the old mansion.
Not a breath of suspicion had been
aroused. Placidly. unequivocally had
old Mr.. Ralston accepted her as the
child he had not seen since infancy.
Her past, like his own, he would never
geek to probe or revive. Yesterday was
as dead and gone as the ages past.
Here she could change her own idenu-
ty in the undisputed posse 5sion OF
royal fortune. Ralston dead, that Tor
tune acquired, and with her youth,
beauty and intelligence, she could go
out into the world and become queen
among women, tread a velvet path
through life-she, the poor, obscure
teacher on ha'f-pay, the frlendlesS
drudge of Hopedale Seminary.
Yet there was q canker at the heart
of the rose. Conscience did not trouble
her. She even justified her fraudulent
representations. No, all she Thought OF.
ali that disturbed her was O memory OF
the man she loved.
How she loved him still! How the
handsome, animated face OF Raymond
Marshall haunted her.
"F-. mis- sake / did it oil" she MUIR
INJURED, unanimously. HE must benefit
by it all. How? All! patience, my
eager hear! hold the strings OF destiny!
If make no misstep, fortune and love
are both mine in the end.
Her rooms had been papered for her
with infinite care They were moro than
luxurious, they were elegant The
steward and o housekeeper were the
sole servants, but they attended like
mute slaves to her every caprice as the
days went by. :,
Ralston was not exacting. He asked
an hour or two of her time each Cay to
read to him in the garden, or play for
him In the great, somber drawing-room
on the piano. Ever under the shadow
of some great fear, he never LETT the
walled grounds OF the estate, and re-
uuested her to confine her long drives
to the unfrequented roads leading away
from the village.
A week passed thus, then the novelty
of her new life began to wear away.
The false Alice Ralston, the real Bea-
trice Mercer, began to grow restless,
anxious, moody.
Then she fell to plotting. If she
could only drag from that past life the
object of her love. Raymond Marshall,
she would be content.
you are getting wearied Of the lone
illness here, / fear" spoke Ralston.
anxiously, one evening.
NO, father.
you are deceiving me. can read It
in your face. caught you crying yes
ah{1d ~ haUa
any secret sorrow.
triumphantly. The hour had come for
o master-stroke of finesse.
shall / tell you the truth, even II 1t
disturbs your" asked Beatrice, in low,
purring tone.
Always, my dear.
Il am happy here, only there is 2
chapter In my past that haunts me,
pursued the false-hearted Beatrice.
have friends whom I love. whom left
in poverty. trouble Father, il l had
the means to VISIT them, to place them
in position beyond want, would re-
turn here satisfied, never to leave you
again.
you mean this. my daughtera'
Il mean 1t, father.
AS understand IL, you Wlsu W 20 W
these friends-to bid them final fare
we'll, and to enrich them?"
Yes"
He led her to room guarded with an
iron door. With key he unlocked q
cabinet. 1t was stored with money
coin. bank notes. bonds.
Yours" he sad generously; "all
yours. Take what you want l shall
never ask how much, nor care. Deal as
literally with your friends as you like,
only-must you go to themP'
Il must, father"
"Alone?"
Il will be careful-nothing will hap
zen to me.
Il shall worry-your absence will tor
ture me"
Not for long. Oh! dear father, you
make me happy in enabling me to make
my dearest friends happy. Let me GO
at once-to-night, tomorrow. In 9
week-two, OF the farthest. shall re-
turn. Then shall forget them-all the
world save you.
She had carried her point. The first
important step In the plot Of her life
was accomplished.
As the next morning. little money
filled sachel in her hand. she left the
mansion bound for Hopedale, her con-
fident heart told her that she would
never return until she had won teo man
she loved.
hTo BE coNTINUEn.