The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1889-06-29

wood" he answered as he stared at the
handsome appointments of the chamber
with something akin to awe, "and you
haven't been near me-"
"Can do as please?" she asked. do
you think that can go In and out at all
times and seasons and not be noticed9"
"You are not a servant" he said.
mo, but am a lady, and there are re-
strictions attached to my position that you
know nothing about"
''rhen you must break through them"
"With what result, do you think?' Vida
asked dcontemptuously. Exposure, of course,
and with exposure suspicion and disaster.
We must be prudent"
prudence isn't in my lile," he answered
hoarsely.
Then you must adopt it," Vida rejoined.
'Now, mark me well. Twill not come to
the wood to meet you"
"You will not?"
mo. We must have a trysting-place more
secure from observation. am going to sug-
gest one-the old belfry of the church-tow-
er."
''I've heard It's haunted" Bardolph said.
"a village tale," returned Vida, 'and it
will serve us well. We shall be safe from
intrusion there. The little door is never
locked and the staircase leads to the belfry
above. You cannot lose your way"
"And when will you meet me?"
Tomorrow afternoon. Go early, and
walt for me, and we will talk over the fu-
ture together"
1--WE made up my mind about that" he
said with leer He had got over his first
embarrassment and was himself again. Il
am going to make you Mrs. Dimsey."
1t was in the heart of Vida to strike him
as he stood, and her hands impulsiyely
clenched, but she restrained herself, and
only said:
'Indeedp'
"Yes; I've got my plans worked out" he
said MAY l sit down"
"Fcannot give you much more time now,
The dinner-hour is near"
II sha'nt be long. I've a otion for sit
ting in a chair like gentleman" said Bar
dolph. "The ground is more in my line at
present, but Pm going in for something bet
ter Here's the sort Of thing to suit me-"
He threw himself into Vida's own easy
chair, and, crossing his legs, leered up at
her with an impudence that was all his own.
"Will you take that little chair facing
me he said ''and we shall be quite cnsv"
She sat down, white and trembling wslh
fury.
''Oh, for the power to wither him with
lightning, as he loIled before herl
She would have risked an age of torture
for the gift of destructive power, and Sue
would have killed him by inches.
"Now pipe would make the thing COM
plete" he said. I'VE should then be like
man and wife at our own fireside"
"You can't smoke here" she answered
curtly.
mo suppose not" he replied; "but
really, this chair is nice. / don't wonder at
you swell people putting yourselves above
the poor begin to feel that am gentle
manp'
what proposal have you tomake to me?Y
asked Vida. Let me hear what it is, and
go. lam expecting my maid every mo-
ment."
in the first place" he said, ''you are ten
be Mrs. Dmsey."
"Well, you said so before"
"And, secondly, as one marriage cere-
mony is as good as another propose thet
we make gypsy wedding of it."
"Why should your people know anything
about it?"
''They know everything as it is" he said,
"but they are as close as death. Jim the
Snowman caught the horse--his horse, you
know-and by docking his tail and name,
and putting false marks on the brute lie got
him safely away. The others helped with
the grave and burial.'
''What madness to trust anyoneW Kissed
Vida. 81 never dreamt you were such a
fool"
Gould do it all alone?" he asked; sshut
don't you fear Ten thousand pounds re-
ward would not tempt them with the fear
of Hecate curse before their eyes"
'And who is HecSte?"
wThe head of our tribe-the mother ef us
all, and | am her darling child good III ne
for me, isn't it"'
81 don't know" said Vida indifferently.
$50 am to be married among your people
what next? Am | to live with them?
mo" said Bardolph, eagerly bending for
ward; 1--WE must leave them. want to get
away, and would have gone long ago If |
burst, but they know too much of me, and |
know too much Of them. 1t wasn't safe"
''Is it safe now?"
"Yes, for I've lied to 'em; I've tcld 'em
that I'm going away with you for a year."
"0h, Heavenr'
what did you sayP'
Nothing. Do not mind me, go on"
For year only, and they've consented
And you've money, haven't your
i have few thousands in my ownrg {,
said Vida coldly.
"Thousands!' he repeated with gleam.ns
eyes. Come, that's brave We could 40
away right across the seas, and live like a
lady and gentleman together Pm mady
in love with you, am, and Pll be your dog,
your slave--anything.
lie had risen up, and was approaching
her, but she motioned for him to keep back.
you have taken me by surprise sac
said. II must have time to Think