Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-04-17

Anu gam uucli, NY uaIliuR. vi, v Nt,
do not turn deaf ear TO me. am no
schoolboy asking a girl to love him, but a
man pleading to a woman for something
that is dearer than life itself"
"Kenard," said Vida softly, II do not
know that ought to make confession Of
what lies in my heart buff were more
worthy"
More worthy, Vida? II is ! who am un-
worthy"
mo, Kenard you would make the sacri-
fee" And then the lie came to her lips. Il
do love you, and IL is because have given
my heart to yon that | will not permit you
TO be sacrificed"
"Oh, Vida"
Hear me out, Kenard will accept your
proffercd love on one condition."
you have only to name 1t, Vida"
1T is that you do not speak Of il a. pres
ent. We can be friends, and il in time YOU
find your heart unchanged, will be your
wife"
Love is impatient and never waits" he
answered.
Love must be patient now"
Vida" he said, drawing nearer to her,
"let there be no hating measures with us;
i must know my fate 1t must be yea or
nay with YOU"
"Of what would the yea avail with us il
Mr.. Moore said nay"'
at would sever him and me- but not harm
you, Vida."'
"Kenard, must say no. How could
face my loving guardian, my truest friend?'
us there no other way?" he asked. Vida,
/ know you love me and | cannot rest with
such an answer. Why should we not be
united secretly?'
mo, Ksnard, no."
1T is not so difficult. have friend lv.
ing not twenty miles from here who would
perform the ceremony at my bidding. We
could ride out one morning, and come back
man and wife. You must not say no."
But she held back. II was part Of her
programme to do so, and when he casped
her in his arms. and the last words of APP
peal fell from his lips, she whispered:
Tomorrow / will answer YOU"
"Why not now?" he urged
ut Is not long to wait" she replied, ''and
1t must be tomorrow"
We still pleaded, but she was firm.
Had love not blinded him, he must have
read her then, but he saw nothing before
him but pureminded. loving, beautiful
woman, restrained by maidenly modesty
from yielding to him at once.
And in the answer Tomorrow, he read
promise, and was at length satisfied.
They fingered long among the rushes, and
Il was Vida who suggested that time had
flown swiftly, and that the luncheon-hour
had arrived.
For my sake" she urged, "let us go"
Then he took the oars again and pulled to
the shore.
-, FaII ha lpn n
eon-gong was sounding.
Il told YOU" she said with an arch glance
at him. Il fear If we are not more prudent
any confession on our part will be super
fluous."
At the hall-door they met Phoebe, who
curtsed, and said she was coming 10 see IL
they were in the grounds as luncheon was
ready.
She took vidas hat and light shawl, and
with visible trepldation turned and went
upstairs.
What is the matter with that girl%' said
Kenard; "she does not look WELL"
"Phpbe is a strange being" replied Vida,
land rather given TO troubling herself about
other peoples affairs. She may have been
watching u.s."
'In that case you had better speak to
Ruth"
No; l think we will leave her alone-for
the present"
Their heightened absence excited no COM
ment except few words from Mr.. Moore,
who said he liked punctuality, and they sat
down, keeping their secret well.
The afternoon they spent with Ruth, and
at an early hour Vida went up to dress.
Phoebe was in her room, now a most I'M
uytal thiuU and husy with cpruntbinp on
the toilet-table
Vida took chair without speaking, and
waited for her TO go, but she moved slowly
about, and made no offer To leave
"PhCbe, said Vida sharply, Il shall not
want you to-day"
VERY well, miss"
still she did not 20, but stood like one ir.
reSolute. Vida's face flushed with anger.
Have ym grown stupid?' she asked.
mo- miss, said PhG5e, facing about,
I'm as sensible rs | usually am, but I've
something to say, and don't know how TO
say it,
She was trembling, but under her nervous
ness there lay the courage to go through
with what she had in hand. Vida stared at
her with growing coldness upon her heart.
IT'S Mr.. Kenard wish 10 speak about"
said Phoebe. He's in love with you, miss"
How dare you speak To me Of such
thing?' demanded Vida, springing to her
feet with the look of an Infatuated tigress.
II dare, miss, returned Phn5e, each mo-
ment growing bolder, because am in the
right. Everybody is blind but me, and
can't see him led away by YOU
And you-you- low-bred wretch" said
Vida, white hot with passion, "yol dare to
speak thus 10 me"'
Yes, miss, because | can't see Mr.. Ken
ard led TO ruin, said Phoebe firmly, "and
although don't wish TO utter any threats,
i beg to say that il you don't spare Mr.. Ken
ard thatI Will 70 to Mr. Moore with what
know; and think you had better heed me,
i do indeed, miss
Vida looked ather and saw the resolution
in the simple girls eyes. Ii made her quail,
and she was none the less afraid OF her be-
cause she could only guess al the extent OF
the information she possessed.
Phoebe" she said, with violent effort,
"have | ever been your enemy?'
Not as knows Of, miss" was the reply.
"Why, then, are you mine"
"TH not your enemy, miss, and IL may
t1at -,