Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-03-20

CHAPTER II. CONTINUED

"You need not tell your mothers wretch
ed story to me-" she said, 81 have nothing
to do with it,. ask you why you follow
me%'
"If were TO tell you, know what would
happen" he said.
"What is that?"
81 should be whipped of the Gordonfells."
And then there was silence. He stand
ing with his head hanging, and she looking
at him straight, scanning his very soul.
"What makes such cur Of your Vida
asked suddenly.
~ am not cur" he answered.
Lift up your head then"
He raised 1t, and tried to look at her de-
family. But she was smiling, and he stared
ut her amazed
upon my word" she said lightly, ~
think that you are in love with me-"
"As there is sun in the sky" he cried
passionately, II amp
"Well, don't shrek 1t all over the woods"
said Vida. 'Now, being in love with me-
what would you do for me?'
1t was boldly put, but he did not yet feel
encouraged. He only stared at her with
amazement in his dark wicked eyes.
what would j do for you?' he said slow
~. "Why, anything"
Easily said," Vida replied in abantering
tone. But suppose try you-put you to
the test?'
DO it," he said, "and anything short Of
taking my own life I'll do"
You would not part with thatr"
ITS only just begun. I've had no fling
yet. No, my lady, I'll not part with my
life"
Perhaps" still in banterng tone she
ipoke, ''you would take the life of another?'
An understanding was growing up be-
tween them. He drew step nearer and
now looked at her steadily.
II would take life, +" he said deliberately,
"if were paid for IT,"
And whist would be your priceP"
He paused, and a hot flush deepencd the
brown of his skin Only by an effort could
he speak
Il wouldn't do it for money" he said, but
would for-love"
He expected to see the fury spring into
her face and hear himself denounced for his
audacity, but she stood still and kept her
eyes upon his face.
Tomorrow night" she said in tone
that reached his ears distinctly, but went
very little beyond him. "a gentleman will
come riding through the village towards the
| Gordonfells."
do know him?" he asked in the same
keen whisper.
''Iis name is Basil Brandreth."
II know him we'll"
Enough, then. He is not to come TO the
Gordonfells; he must never reach it; and if
he could disappear and never be heard Of
again-all the better"
! He can be"
''Do not let me know what could be done,
but tell me this-can he be kept from the
Gordonfells?"
''Ile can"
He no longer called her my lady," and
each moment he was growing holder. lie
bad drawn nearly up to her when she check
ed him with her hand.
You must do your work first" Vida said,
land then seek payment"
"Pll have something on account" he said.
"You will not deceive me?'
"lf there were twenty Basil Brandreths,
not one of them should reach the Gordon.
fells tonight"
"Or be heard Of again?'
NNever again"
-Haste you then, to-day to Carpingdean.
and post this letter there" She drew one
from her breast and handed it TO him as she
spoke. 'Do it secretly and we'll"
You must not go yet, ;" he said, planting
himself in her way. Something on account.
Let me touch your cheek with my lips
With shuddering frame she stood still
while he stopped down, and trembling with
Joy, put his lips, not to her cheek, but 10
her lips-he had quite recovered his ordinary
audacity.
That's my seal upon the compact" no
said.
And Vida, without answering a word,
drew her cloak over her head and hurried
back to Gordonfels