The Monte Vista journal., 1916-08-26

her. l might write to this lawyer ad.
vertising for you in the East to learn
why you are wanted"
The inference was obvious. This
man was his enemy. He held his se-
cret in his keeping. Page had showed
sudden resolution. He looked him
steadily in the eye.
You claim an interest in the well
fare of the Mortimers?" he said.
Surely" declared Moore
"Then come with me-"
Page led the way to the Mortimer
home. Father and daughter were to-
gether In the little parlor. Ruth
looked anxious as she noted deadly
pallor in the face of her lover, as
though he were suffering mental an
guish.
My friends" spoke Page speedily,
Il have something to tell you that,
perhaps, | should have told before
came here something more than n
stranger-a fugitive. | was forced to
flee frem my home in the East a year
ago because l killed man"
John Mortimer gave great gasp.
A covert CLEAN of satisfaction shot
from the eyes of Cyrus Moore. Ruth
swayed in her chair and covered her
eyes with her hands to deaden the
terrible shock of the announcement
just made.
1T was in quarrel, not of my seek
wit friA JJn IN
with his cane. l simply defended my
self. l had to, or cravenly take Sc
we're punishment. l aimed a blow at
his uplfted fist. 1t landed on his
throat. He sank like spent shot. l
heard someone coming. l hid. l
heard man say He is deadv 1 lost
my head and fled. That is all"
And you are Innocent" spoke
Ruth, coming to his side-"surely
there was no murder in your heart"
To-day, this hour" pursued Page,
Il have made a resolution: For veal
or woe, to return to my old home and
face my fate"
ut Is right" murmured Ruth; land
remember one thing, that, though 1t
claims your life, am your spirit bride
to all eternity"
So Elston Revere went his way to
dree his wierd. Twice, amid her keen
anxiety, Ruth wrote to him. There
came no answer. She became pale
and dispirited. How was she to
know that crafty Cyrus Moore had In
tercepted his letters-Cyrus Moore,
who had her worried father In his
power and pressed hard his money
claims.
Gradually he was forcing the old
man to influence Ruth to favor his
suit. And one night Mr.. Mortimer told
Ruth plainly that they would be home
less but for the indulgence of Moore.
''Revere has forgotten you or, Is un-
der the spell of the law" he declared.
81 shall wait" said Ruth firmly. IF
he lives or dies, l shall never wed an
other"
She sat at the window one evening
filled with painful thought, her hope
and courage wel-nigh gone. Moore
was a visitor and sat planning great
things for her father in connection
with a mine he had just purchased.
He fancied that Ruth was to be daz-
zled with this important talk, but her
ears were deaf.
To him-but not to a quick footstep
on the garden path-how it vibrated
in her heart of hearts! The next mo-
ment Elston Revere was at the thresh-
old and she was in his loving arms.
His wondrous story began with
three auditors. There were only two
when he concluded.
He was free man, and guiltless.
He had never killed his friend. The
man had recovered, and the advertise
ments did not seek to apprehend him
as fugitive from justice, but as heir
to q great estate, that Of his uncle.
And Ruth shared it, as his loving
wife, and John Mortimer, In beauti-
full Eastern home, while Cyrus Moore
and his evil designs were forgotten.
Room With Personality.