Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-04-03
VIDA'S REVENGE.
CHATTER v.-CoNTINUED


CHAPTER V.-CONTINUED.
'Come," said Hugh Brandreth, paling n
little, don't jest with me. You know how
dear to me Basil is"
"Brandreth, on my word of honor he has
not been near Gordonfells," said Mr.. Moore
earnestly.
and ought to have been here by six" said
Mr.. Brandreth; ION my word don't under
stand it."
mo more do l. But we won't alarm our
selves Just yet, Brandreth. Come into the
library, and we will see what we can make
of it."
They could make nothing of it, and in
few minutes, Mr.. Brandreth with a color
less face was riding for the police to come
and see what they could do.
Ere he came back all at Gordonfells knew
that Basil was missing; but Ruth still held
her letter close, and Vida dared not speak
of it.
Better that they should think that he is
dead, :" thought Ruth, "than know that he is
false. Oh, Basil-Basil! cruel as you have
been, your honor is safe with me-"
All day long the police, accompanied by
Mr.. Moore and Mr.. Brandreth, went about
making inquiries, and obtained no clue.
Some of the villagers had heard horse go
through the village about half-past five
o'clock, but none had looked out to see who
therider was. He was as clean gone as If
he had been spirited away.
"What is your opinion?" asked Mr. Moore
of the inspector who had charge of the In
Quiries.
IL think the young gentleman is alive
somewhere" was the reply.
"Yes, and you think something more"
Il do not believe that he came near Cor
donfells."
"Just my opinion" said Mr. Moore. II
think, Brandreth, that Basil is playing some
youthful prank"
mo, no." replied the sorrowing father;
Basil was not such fool. Foul play has
taken my noble boy from me"
The inspector shrugged his shoulders.
Il don't wish 10 disagree with you, Mr..
Brandreth," he said, "but men in our limo
come across many mysterious disappear
ances that are not at all mysterious"
what do you mean~
"Young gentlemen get into debt
"My son does not owe a shilling"
"Or they fall in love with parties that
their friends object to, and steal of with
them"
Enough said Mr.. BrandTeth. "Tll hear
no more. You take professional view of
my sons disappearance; but have faith
er's instinct 10 guide me, which is some
thing better and surer than your experience.
Ny son has met with foul play, tell you,
and will fathom it. Woe to them who have
injured him; and should he be dead, by
Heavens I'll have such revenge that all
Ia IaAo -.
And, putting spurs to his horse, he rode
away without another word, simply notion
Ing with his hand an adieu TO Abel.
Mr. Moore rode slowly home, wonder
Ing how he should break the news to Ruth,
and what theory he should adopt to account
Tor Basi's absence. Mrs. Moore was walt
Ing for him, and on that head she set his
mind at rest.
Ruth has been speaking to me about
Basil, she said; ''she desires that he may
not be spoken of in her presence"
"A wise and prudent suggestion" said
Abel; lit is better that he should be forgot
ten.'
"As one dead" said Mrs. Moore.
But not dead" returned Abel. Il see
you think as the officers and do. Bran
dreth insists that he has met with foul play;
but that's all nonsense"
you and Basil are the only two men L
ever believed in" said his wife; land Basil
has deceived me, so have only you left to
place my faith upon"
And / think you may trust me-" replied
her husband. But surely you do not doubt
Kenard."
''He is my son; and what mother, worthy
of the name, ever doubted her boy? When
speaking of doubt or faith, q woman doee
not include her children"
II wonder what Kenard will say" said
Mr.. Moore, musing.
what he says matters little," said Mrs.
Moore; ii fear what he will do. III ever lie
meets Basil he will shoot him like dog.
Kenard loves Ruth dearly"