Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-04-17
CHAPTER IL.
sLUMBERING on A VOLCANO.


Ruth bore her sorrow patiently. She had
settled within her own mind that Basil had
been lnred away from her, and in her heart
she forgave him.
Some people would call this womanly for
giveneSs woman's weakness, but we prefer
TO give it the true name of wOman's unsel
fish love-
She did not extend her forgiveness to her
supposed rival, that would have been more
than one could expect from mortal woman.
For her Ruth had nothing but good honest
hate.
There were no signs Of sickness in her,
though her secret suffering was great. Any
display of emotion OF utterance of vain re-
greet she felt would be unworthy Of Moore
of GOrdonfells.
She was certainly as like herself as her
dearest friends could have wished her TO be.
The brief reprgnance she felt for Vida's
society passed away.
She fought against it, because she was
convinced it was unjust, and conquered it.
Ere long they were on the old footing Of
sisterly love and confidence, the confidence
being, of course, mainly on Ruth's side.
But there was one person at Gordonfells
who avoided Vida as much as possible, and
/ that Phoebe, the maid who was supposed TO
be attendant to both the cousins, and she
gave most Of her service 10 Ruth.
The repugnance was mutual.
Vida soon entertained a strong dislike for
the girl, and declined her offered services.
If she had dared she would have done
her best to get her dismissed; but dread
Of something held her back.
Phoebe might know little and suspect
more. II so, it was policy TO conciliate-or
remove her.
Ruth noticed this feeling between them,
and mentioned IL to Vida, who laughed, and
declared she would rather be without q
maid.
"Phe5e is devoted to YOU" she said, 'and
no woman can serve two mstresses."
Then Ruth tried Phoebe, and made no
more Roadway there.
IF you please, miss" the girl said, miss
Vida doesn't want me, and it's no use my
offering to do anything"
The offer ola separate maid Ydarefused,
and then the matter dropped.
Meanwhile, q compensating feeling for
Vida had arisen in another direction.
Kenard was becoming devoted to her.
lie was handsome high-spirited young
fellow, not absolutely without guile, or he
would have been fool, but with an honest
heart and ready belief in others.
In Vida he now saw qualities and charms
that had escaped his notice during his boy
hood and youth.
They were cousins, had been brought up
together, and much freedom of intercourse
was allowed them.
They walked, rode, and drove alone, with.
out exciting much comment on the part OF
their friends at Gordonfells
1T would be something to be mistress
here Vida thought. "and it will be better
than dragging on life alone"
She did not love him, for her heart had
been given TO Basil Brandreth, and every
day that hopeless love gathered strength,
and kept her soul upon the rack.
Her life was very miserable.
The memory of the dead man lying in the
beliry was alone sufficient to embtter it.
No discovery was made, but every day she
dreaded to hear the hubbub of il, and to
have TO listen TO the murder DeIng discussed,
and to see the police at their investigating
work.
But nobody visited the belfry, and the
body Of the murdered gypsy lay wasting
away undiscovered.
So having made up her mind to be Mrs.
Moore, Vida gave Kenard encouragement,
anu q StClcb uOlH WAS pliSuJeu DelWScu
them, and it came to pass in this way.
Months had passed, and it was close sui
try summer day, when Kenard and Vida
were boating on the lake. He had been
rowing, but having laid aside the oars, the
boat drifted in among some rushes, which
hid them from the view of all around.
How careless Of you, Kenard, said Vida
with smile
Let us rest here little while" he an
swered; 81 have something TO sH' TO YOU"
She knew what was coming, but kept her
composure. Had she really been in love
with him it would have been different She
would have shown some signs Of trepiGa-
tion, for love in woman will finI express
sion in spite of efforts to conceal.
Vida" he said, bending his earnest eyes
on hers, "you have guessed that you are
more than cousin TO me"'
II have not of late dared TO guess much
concerning you," she answered In low
tone.
But you must have seen my devotion"
he said. vida, have allowed love to
grow in my heart only for it to wither
again?'
"You forget, Kenard," she said after
pause. that ouz yS.--= will not alone suffice.