Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-05-15


her upon IT,
you will need little stinulant before
Basil comes" she said. ut will never do
to meet him with the face OF ghost"
~. is Basil who will bring back the roses"
said Mr. Moore.
1t was on the whole, dull party. All
were strung up 10 pitch Of excitement that
kept them from talking much, and, occu-
pied with their own thoughts and specula-
tons, they sat for the most part silent
just as the meal Vas concluded, Barker
came in with his face picture Of joyous
yivacity struggling with solernity. and la. ID
an envelope containing u telegram by Ruth's
side.
Messenger waiting to hear IL there is any
answer he said.
Ruth opened the envelope, glanced at its
contents, and passed it to her mother in ST.
lence. Words failed her at the moment
1t was quickly handed round, as look
suiiiced to absorb the contents.
with you at four O'clock"
That was all, but how pregnant with glori-
ous tldings! And il was then two o'clock.
Only two hours, and he would be there.
after few moments their tongues broke
loose, and the news OF Basils coming was
promptly conveyed to the domestics by the
feversh Barker, who, while lingering about
outside, accidentally" heard the contents
of the telegram.
Ruth was the first to leave tire dining
room, and Vida followed.
Where are you going, Birdcs'' she asked.
IL feel that must be alone" answered
Ruth. IL am going to shut myself in my
room."
MAY not come with your"
mot now, dear"
"But Observation-Disclosures he comes?'
"Yes, a little before. l feel that / shall
want you by my side"
With an evil light in her eyes, Vida glided
away.
She thought she had all safe now.
Itwas at twenty minutes tc four that Vida
sought Barker and babe him bring some
wine to her room.
Port will be the best. think" she said.
and in five minutes Barker, guessing for
whom 1t was needed, brought il to her with
two glasses
Thank YOU, Barker; that will do"
He left the room, and in the left-hand
glass Vida poured half the contents of the
phial.
1t was csloress, and without any percep-
tible odor.
Now for the last scene OF this eventfui
"
The door was unfastened, and she enter
ed. Ruth was walking TO and fro, pale and
trembling.
'Come to my room" said Vida. II have
some wi,e. A little yG1 must have, or yon
will break down.
She did not see Phoebe standing in the
shadow of the curtain, and Ruth passively
obeyinE they went ont, Phoebe following.
They entered Vida's room, and still she
saw nothing of Phoebe The door was left
open, and Vida poured out some wine.
Here, Birdie" she said, pushing forward
the fatal glass, drink y
'lIark." cried Ruth II heard the sound
of wheels"
She rushed to the window, and Vida fol
lowed
\ carriage was coming up the drive.
ut is Basil, my love-"
Come here and have some wine" said
Vida hurriedly, ''you will faint if you dc
not. uere, drink"
She took up the glass, and Ruth hastily
drank the Wine, Vida at the same moment
emptying hers
Now" she said, '-go and meet him"
Ruth lost no time. Warmed and stimulated
/ by the wine, she walked quickly from the
! room. Then Vida for the first time saw
/. Phoebe.
What are you doing here?' she cried
hastily.
IL came in with Miss Ruth" replied Pho
1 BE-. Il have been here all the time"
4 sudden spasm caused Vida to start:
there was look In the girls face tina: ap
/ palled her.
Girl" she shrieSed. what have you
done?"
II don't know" replied Phoebe, trem
bling, ''but was afraid that you meant tc
do harm TO Miss Ruth, and while you were
at the window | changed The glasses"
The awful truth burst upon Vida with
lightning force and she staggered back
The girl had not lied, for already the poi.
sonous fires were leaping and darling with.
in her. In a few moments she would be
dead.
She heard a vehicle stop at the door, a glad
cry from Ruth, and the CHEEKY tones Of
BasPsgoice minging with the welcome of
father and friends; then all the fury of 0
disappointed woman took possession of her,
and she rushed on Phoebe.
The girl was taken by surprise, and fell
back. The next moment she felt the small
hand OF Vida upon her throat
Your life for mine, was Kissed in hen
ears, and Phebe gave herself up for lost.
But the poison was her friend in this dire
extremity. Its death-deaIing power came
into full action just in time, and with .
groan Vida loosened her grasp, rolled over,
and lay still.
Horror-stricken. hut still with sufficient
control Of herself no TO make any great dis
turbance, Phoebe rose up and staggered
hom the room.
Reaching she head OF the stairs she saw
that Ruth and her friends had just left the
hall, but the inspector was Gust entering the
door.
She glided down, and ere he could ask
for Mr.. Moore laid hand rpon his arm
%Come upstairs" she said, II have some
thing to tell Won"
She took him up ana showed MN the deaq
/ Vida, and told him all she knew. lie iss
ene.i ike man TO whom a long-sought SO
,cret Is being revealed.
'Doaiot disturbthe family" he said when
she finished, but 80 and quietly bring Mr..
Moore to me-"