Ruby's Reward — page 312: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

when youmay produce your will and welcome. Tt can-: not harm me then, for I shall be beyond your reach, and beyond the power of the law.” Still Ruby showed no sign of velenting or fear, though his words had caused her heart to sink with something very like despair. She knew that if he should carry out his threat Ralph Carpenter's will would amount to nothing; for, with his property turned into money, he could go where he chose, escape the law, and enjoy his ill- gotten fais, “You may as well lay aside your hat and wraps, Miss Gordon,” he continued, after watching her in silence for a few minutes, ‘for you will make this house your home for the present.” “Do you imagine youcan keep me here for any length of time withour discovery ?’’ Ruby demanded. "Yes, indefinitely,” he asserted. “Mr, Ruggles will set the whole city in an uproar as goon as he misses me,” she declared, confidently. But her courage was considerably dampened by her captors next words. “[Thave attended to that matter.’ he said, coolly, “and Mr, Ruggles will not be troubled about you in the least. I sent my carriage for you early, and inter- cepted his on the way out to Forestvale, sending word back to him that you had ‘changed your mind,’ and had concluded to go to Harrisburg to join Es- telle, 48 you feared you were not doing just right to desert her when she was in so much trouble. 80, you perceive, there will be no inquiries for you, my friend. FEatelle and allthe servants at Forestvale believe you have gone to Redville, while your verdant champion, Mr. Ruggles, imagines that you are on your way to Harrisburg, I call it pretty well planned, eh??? and Edmund Carpenter laughed tri- umphantly. Luby erew almost faint overthis consummate plot- ting. She saw at once that it would be just as he ) said. Mr. Ruggles’ mind would be ‘Mochi odtaaali would go home satisfied that she was au right, only