The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1889-06-22


She had been there for minute or so
when the door opened and Vida came IN.
No signs of sorrow or repentance there
The mornings light had brought with it a
hardness of heart, and her hatred OF her
cousin was as strong as ever.
Drawing up quietly, she stood by the back
of the chair, looking down upon Ruth with
anger and bitter contempt in her dark, hand
some face She was jealous even of the sor-.
row of the poor girl.
II see have not done yet" she thought.
II must rend his very image from her heart
and leave her soul a desert.
'RuthV
''Who's there?7 cried the startled girl,
hurriedly raising her head. "Oh, Vida
Vida, is it your"
1T is me- replied Vida "What has set
you to weeping? Basil may come to-day"
mo; he is false to me, and cruel, sobbed
Ruth. Then in moment she was defend
ing him: mo, he is not cruel. He has been
blinded and lured away from me-"
do not forget that he is man." said
Vida; ''and it is the nature of men to be
false"
mot Basil-he was true"
MAY read that letter."
Ruth gave it to her, and she scanned her
own writing with a grim smile AS she
handed it back she laughed bitterly.
Ruth, is that the man to weep for?" she
asked.
81 loved him-I love him still" pleaded
Ruth.
even now that he is false to you9"
for ora IN
him."
what alittle fool you areP' said Vida.
And for a moment the mask had fallen, and
Ruth saw the blacker side of her nature.
She stared at her in dismay.
you must not be angry with him, Vida,"
she said "he has not wrcnged you"
HE has wronged us all, 4" Vida answered.
''You must learn to despise him, as do"
But she lied. She had never loved him
more than she did at that moment and her
dread secret made her burden very heavy to
bear.
'Ruth," Vida continued, you must go to
your mother at once and tell her of the in
suit that has been offered you"
II will not do that" replied Ruth.
'Give me the letter. then, and let me do
It,"
mo. l will not part with it; it is the last
thing l have from him. 1t is like gift from
the 0yIng; ana yet ne can never De uead W
me-"
"How can you be so weak?' said Vida
harshly. 81 say that you must forget or
learn to despise him"
"And tell you, replied Ruth with unex-
pected spirit "that | can do neither. 1t is
no affair of yours, Vida. Let me alone"
.'tNo affair Of minep' thought Vida, and
she stifed groan that rose to herlips. ''But,
Ruth" she said aloud, ''myuncle must know
the truth; it cannot be kept from him."
'Let him guess it," returned Ruth. Il
have nothing to say. 1t was wrong Of me
ever to show you the letter Basil has writ
ten. have been unjust"
Vida was furious, but she dared say no
more. Even the gentle Ruth had a spirit
that reused, was apt to be dangerous.
The only thing that wisdom would allow
her to do was to keep silent andlet events
take their course"
''Well, Birdie" she said, assuming her old
manner, II see you are willful and will say
nothing"
''You have no right to say anything" was
VIC CO1u lOpiJ3 anu biO OAOoh1deSV-5VLS at
that moment sounding, she walked out of
the room with marvellous composure.
And looked upon her love as weak"
thought Vida as she followed; ''it is the bet
ter and stronger love of the two, and itgives
me further right to hate her. Though she
die of grief, what matters-she. knows no
shame, while -
1t would not bear thinking of, and she
fastened to the breakfast-rOom, where Mr..
and Mrs. Moore were waiting.
Ruth was not absolutely merry, but she
was amiable and talked great deal. The
cloud of the previous night seemed to have
entirely disappeared.
But Vida's spirit was wrapped in gloom,
and no effort that she made raised her from
the slough Of despond into which she had
fallen.
After breakfast, Mr.. Moore went out to
have his morning cigar in the park, and ere
he had enjoyed dozen whiffs, he saw .
horseman approaching.
As he drew nearer he saw that it was Mr..
Hugh Brandreth, Basil's father.
He galloped up, reined his horse in with
apractised hand, and dlsregarding fifty-fve
years and fourteen-stone weight, dropped
lightly from the saddle.
'Good-morning, Mr.. Moore" he said. II
told Basil would ride over if I could. 1
hope you have not allowed him to bore you.
Travelling has set his tongue going, and the
yarns he spins are of abominable length"
DO understand . said Mr.. Moore coldly,
that you suppose Basil to be hereP"
why, where the deuce should he be?'
said Mr.. Brandreth, raising his eyebrows; !;
''he rode over last night"
I'VE have not seen him" said Mr.. Moore
mot seen himp'
No, Brandreth. Poor Ruth was watch
ing for him all last evening, and not a
glimpse of Basil did we get"
Come" said Hugh Brandreth, paling a
little, don't jest with me. You know how