Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-05-01

~ tile DEITY W STU NUtt WAC tiC
He assembled at night with lantern, and
stumbled over the decaying body OF Bar
dolph.
la frenzy of terror he staggered down
the stairs, and to the village with the horr-
BILE news. In half an hour all the grown in
habitants were OH the spot, and Mr.. Moore,
with policeman, keeping order among the
excited throng.
1t was no pleasant task To inspect the
body of the dead man, but it was done, and
the CHASTITY remains were laid upon hurdle
in the cold moonlight.
al know who 1t is, Mr.. Moore" said the
policeman, after closely scanning the face;
tits one Of the gypsy lott he called himself
Bardolph Dlmsey, and used to brag about
his being born gentleman"
Poor fellowv' said Mr.. Moore; lit mat
tiers little now what he was. lie will never
brag again."
Ii was impossible for them to correctly
estimate how long he had lain there, but the
doctor said il was three months at least,
perhaps more, and ii was the medical mans
opinion that he had been murdered in the
belfry.
"He looks as il he had fallen and died
there" he said; there are no signs OF his
being dragged or carried about after DEATH
This opinion went far to turn suspicion
from the first direction IL took, and To eX-
onerate the gipsies from any share in the
crime.
1T would have been easier for them"
said the inspector, when he came shortly
after on the scene, ito have settled him in
the wood, and buried him there"
When the news reached Gordonfells il
caused a vast amount of commotion among
the dOmestics Phoebe was so far overcome
as TO faint away, and when they brought
her round she went about her duties white
and silent.
Whenever she met Vida she shuddered,
and stood aside and the look of having
something to say but not daring TO say it
grew upon her face.
Vida could not but notice the aversion OF
the girl and felt that it was n thing that
must be dealt with promptly. Accordingly
she seized the first opportunity 10 speak to
her alone. Finding her in Ruths room,
when Ruth was out, she went quietly in and
closed the door.
Phoebe" she said what is the matter
with you lately? Whenever | come near
you am subject TO your rudeness. You
turn away from me as If were some re-
pulsive stranger"
'Oh, miss" pleaded the trembling girl, II
can't help 1t. 1t is such horrible thing"
what is so horrible, you fool?'
THE dead man as was found in the bel
/ fry, miss"
We'll" said Vida calmly, what has that
to do with me"'
Il don't know, miss" sobbed Phube, COW
erng her face with her apron; but I've had
such ugly dreams about il. I'm in the
II ohurpl 80 rI rfOht aftar nitrhf apI |
20 into the belfry, then hear you talking
to him, aad then horrible sound of man
falling and groanS and then | see YOU
come down with your face as white as snow,
and go away, not seeing me hiding in the
porch"
"Phpbe" said Vida fiercely, Selling her
by the wrist, "let me have no more of this /;
/ I'll not endure it. Do you know what you
are saying?'
''Oh, miss, it isn't dream, it is true"
at is a lie, you fool, and if you ever dare
say another word about it, I'll have you
/ charged with the murder"
ME. miss.' exclaimed Phoebe, looking
up with startled face.
"Yes, you" said Vida; you and he were
always in the wood together"
"Oh, miss! never spoke to the man in
my life."
II will swear that I've ceen you in the
! shrubbery and wood together" said Vida,
with set look of determination on her
/ face, land have reproved you for IT, Nay.
more, will swear that it was l who was i'm
the churchyard and you in the be.fry, and
! when it comes to the question of whose word
is to be taken, who do YOU think will be be-
! lievedg'
"Oh, miss, you are cruel--cruelT' sobbed
Phoebe; ''but spare me, I'm only poor L.
norant girl"
Have done with your nonsense, then, y
said Vida; come back to your senses, and
let me have no more Of your shuddering and
, turning away when | come near you. You
understand meT
Eyes, miss" replied the girl humbly.
Every good; now 20 away and come al
the usual hour To assist me to dress for din.
ner"
Yes, miss" said Phobe, and with g
wretched look upon her face she crept from
the room.
She knows much but can prove nothing, v
said Vida with triumphant laugh. 1.-The
ignorant fool, to enter the lists with me!
will crush her if She dares toplay her shiy.
ering pranks on me again