Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-03-27
A WEARY WAITING.

Barker slowly anu SoeInnly entered mo
room.
Madame, shall keep dinner back"'
Mrs. Moore looked at her husband, who
answered for her:
mo, Barker; Mr.. Brandreth has been de-
tanned. Let dinner be served at once"
They went into the dningroom, but din
ner, so far as Ruth was concerned. was n
mockery. She could eat nothing. The fish
was being removed when Vida appeared.
my dear child" said Mr.. Moore, rising
hurriedly, show pale You are! Why did you
not keep your room"'
Being alone grew weaiisome,' she said,
"and so came down. No fish, thank you;
little Wine"
The attentive Barker poured her out
glass or sherry, and she dranl, il. Then she
looked at Ruth steadily and without falter-
Ing.
why, Birdie $40 cad. you arc pale
too. We have ceased 20 be roses and be-
como lilies
Somebody has been detained" said Mr..
Moore loosely; but he will be here by
and-by."
In the selfshness OF my headache" said
Vida, IL forgot Basil was expected. IL he
were my lover should not easily forgive
him"
II WAS wonderful exhibition OF speaHing
under extreme difficulties. SO intense was
the pain the effort cost her that she could
barely keep from crying out.
Basil Is not to blame" said Ruth with q
fash from her blue eyes.
'Oh, Ruth" exclaimed Vida, forcing a
laugh. "hOw can you look at me so fero-
c.ously? l believe that you are al heart aper-
feet vixen"
They all laughed at this remark the idea
Of Ruth's being vixen was so very absurd.
Mr.. Moore put finishing touch to the
merriment.
''Ruth is like you. Vida. Under placid
exterior she conceals q most fiery nature.
She is like some Of those faraway countries
where the land is only thin crust that COW
eTs volcano. You are terrible creatures
The dinner was over, and Ruth. with ears
upon the stretch, had listened in vain for
the sounds OF her coming lover.
After time she began TO show signs Of
irritation when suggestion was made 10
account for his absence, and they soon ceas-
ed to speak of him.
In the drawing-room Vida played and
sang more brilliantly, Mr. Moore
said-and Ruth joined her in duet.
Bat what bitter mockery il was.
A dark cloud lay upon them and Vida
alone knew what lay behind il.
The first shock Of the crime had passed
away, and she was beginning to look things
In the face.
1t angered her to see Ruth pale and dis
traught, simply because Basil was away,
while Vida-loving him more fiercely,
and knowing he was dead, dared not give
vent 10 one WORD or look that expressed her
love
1T is hard to bear" she thought, bat IL
Is better than 10 have 10 look Oh at their
wooing. That must have driven me mad"
And then She sang another song-"Ghe
Sands of Dee"-one Of Mr. Moorc's favor
ties
Sweet music" he said. but rather mel
anchoiy. That poor girl being lost on the
sands"
Can Basil be lost?" said Ruth suddenly.
Lost, my dear child nonsense,
but he is, said Ruth, rising and holding
out her trembling hands. IL have feared it,
and | know ii now. Something has happen
ed 10 him; he is dead-he--"
And then she fell forward faintng In her
fathers arms.
Mrs. Moore and Vida came TO her assist
ance, and the bell was rung for Phoebe, her
maid.
a little cold water and some kindly care
restored Ruth to consciousness
''IIow foolish OF me.'. she said But l
was always weak silly child"
Il should recommend little sleep" said
Mr.. Moore. ut is ten o'clock, and Basil
will not be here till tomorrow"
Ruth assented. and retired to her room,
accompanied by Mrs Moore and Vida.
Then "a curious feeling OF distaste for her
cousins society came over her II was most
unaocountable, she thought and panied her,
but she could not resist its influence.
Il do not think | will trouble you to re-
main with me, Vida" She said.
1T is no trouble. was the reply.
bat do not remain, beg of you. Mother
will keep with me.
Vida did not insist upon remaining.
She was growing weary OF playing part
that required 50 much concentration, ard
STOPPING down, She Kissed Ruth and babe
her goodnight.
Her salute was not returned.
Can she suspect me?' she thought, and
then she babe Mrs. Moore goodnight, and
went wondering TO her room.
Phoebe followed. and asked il she could
be of any service. Vida, with some curtness,
babe her go, but the girl still remained
Are you sure | cannot do anything for
YOU. miss~ she asked.
quite sure" replied VIDA.
You dn look 30 pale and ttrs,.. miss. jus,
US II pom had been oUt for Tong ,CaM aud
hurried home"
Vida turned upon her quickly, almost
fercely.
what did you say?" she demanded.
4 f..-
and stared az her in innocent surprise.
why nothing, miss" she said: II only
said you looked "a IL yoa were tired
THE observation was needless" return
ed Vida II am no; very tired, aud do not
need any help"
Very well. I:i...'
With courtesy Psr5e rcii.eG, and Vida
was lief; alone. She went to the window,
pushed aside IL curtain and looked out.