Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-04-03

with something akin TO awe, land you
haven't been near me-"
''Can do as please" she asked. DO
you think that can go In and out a. all
times and seasons and not be noticed?'
You are not servant" he said.
mo, but am lady, and there are re-
sEictions attached to my position that you
know nothing about"
"Then you must break through them"
with what result, do you thinky" Vida
asked contemptuously. Exposure, of course,
and with exposure suspicion and disaster.
We must be prudent"
prudence isn't In my line" he answered
hoarsely.
Then you must adop. it," Vida rejoined.
snow, mark me we'll. will not come 10
the wood to meet YOU"
"You will not9"
mo. We must have tryst!ng-place more
secure from observation. l am going to sug-
gest one-the old belfry OF the church-tow-
err
I've heard it's haunted Bardolph said.
- village tale" returned Vida, land 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
wait for me- and we will talk over the FIJI
ture together"
I've 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. Dmsey."
Ii was in the heart OF Vida TO strike him
as he stood, and her hands impulsiyely
cenched, but she restrained herself, and
only said:
"Indeedv'
"Yes; I've got my plans worked out" he
said. May sit down."
IL cannot give you much more time now.
The dinner-hour is near"
Il sha'nt be long. I've otion for sit
ting in a chair like gentleman" said Bar
dolph. The ground is more in my line at
present. but I'm 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 cosy"
She sat down, white and trembling with
fury.
"Oh. for the power to wither him with
lightning as he lolled before her
for the gift of destructive power, and she
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
cur,ly.
NO l suppose not" he replied; "but
really, this chair is nice. don't wonder a.
You swell people putting yourselves above
the poor. begin TO feel that am gentle
manr'
what proposal have you to make to me?"
asked Vida Let me hear what il is, and
go. am expecting my maid every mo-
ment."
''In the first place." he said, you are to
be Mrs. .Dimsey"
Well you said 50 before"
"And, secondly, as one marriage cere-
mony is as good as another, l propose that
We make gypsy wedding of it,"
why should your people know anything
about it?''
They know everything as ii is" he said,
but they are as close as death. Jim tho
Snowman caught the horse-his horse, you
know-and by docking his tail and name,
and putting false marks on the brute he got
him safely away. The Others helped with
the grave and burial"
What madness TO trust anyoner' Kissed
Vida. II never dreamt you were such a
fool"
Gould do 1t all alone?' he asked; "but
don't you fear. Ten thousand pounds re-
ward would not tempt them with the fear
OF Hecate's curse before their eyes"
'And who is Hecate?'
"The head of our trioe-the mother of us
all, and am her Ring child-a good thing
for me. isn't it?''
Il don't know" said Vida indiffercntly
$50 am to be married among your people
what next? Am | TO live with theme"
NO said Bardolph, eagerly bending for
ward 1--WE must leave them. | want 10 get
away, and would have gone long ago if
burst. but they know too much of me, and
/ know too much Of them Ii wasn't safe"
rs it safe now?'
"Yes, for I've lied TO 'em; I've told 'em
that I'm going away WITH you for year."
"Oh. Heaven!'
What did you sayT''
/ Nothing. Do not mind ne, so on"
For year only, and they've consented.
And you've money, haven't your
Il have few thousands in my Owl r ,.t,"
said Vida coldy.
Thousands" he repeated VITA cleaning
eyes. Come, that's brave. We could go
away, right across the seas, and live like a
lady and gentleman together. I'm madly
/ in love with you. | am, and I'll be your dog,
/ your slaye-anything.'
he had risen up, and was approaching
her. but she motioned for him to keep back
You have taken me by SURPRISE" she
said. IL must have time to think"
Il can't wait" he returned, my blood's
1fre. I'm not a moment free from you. I'm
haunted by your beauty. 1t is like a sweet
scented flower. and l can't rest until I've
made YOU my WIFE"
Don't touch me now," she said hurried
/ ly; II agree with your proposal. To-mor-
rown isAt l will come to the camp, and we
need not meet in the belfry until the next
day"
But when we are married we shall go
away tog ether"
BE reasonable and prudent" said Vida,
still speaking holly and .ur-iedly; there
are some things / must do | must collect
my jewelry."
AYE, your jewelry," he said, nodding
his haad