Ruby's Reward — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

late father has appointed me executor, must all be relinquished into my hands and I will see that justice isdone. If—now, mark you Mr. Carpenter, this is avery important condition and a very Maguanimous one in my estimatiou—if you agree to this and give no trouble in this settlement, no proceedings will be taken against you, as Mr. Richardson shrinks from adopting aggressive neasures against One who has so long sustained the relationship of son to his be- loved benefactor. Miss Gordon, also, is averse to the notoriety of a trial for the wrong that you have done her. How is it, sir—do you agree to our terms ?’ There was a dead silence for the space of a minute, then Edmund Carpenter said in a subdued tone: “Yes, IL agree.” “Will you swear that you will not attempt to leave the city until full restitution has been made to Mr. Richardson ?’ ; “Yes, [ swear it.” . “Of course I do not need to tell you that every pre- | caution will be taken to prevent your doing so, Mr. | Fairbanks said, with emphatic significance, “and | now, I believe, we have no further need of your pres- ence here to-day.” Edmund Carpenter arose at this abrupt dismissal, | looking as if years had passed over him since he sat down. He shot one glance of hatred and malice at Walter, who was regarding him with real pity and sorrow ; then his eyes rested for an instant with a sort of despairing tenderness upon Ruby’s averted face, after which he turned and walked quietly from the room, too thoroughly vanquished even to care to keep up the appearance of defiance. It may as well be stated here, that he was closely “shadowed” until he delivered halt his fortune into Mr. Fairbanks’ hands tor Walter; which, since it had to be done, he was eager to do immediately, and after that he suddenly disappeared trom the city and was never seen there again. Years afterw ard, when Walter and Ruby were traveling abroad, they heard of him as living a dissi- pated life at a noted gambling resort, and fast wast- ing the noble bequest which he had received from his adopted father. * f * comichooks.con we * * x =