Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-05-15
vlDA'S |" REVENGE.
CHAPTER XIV. CONTINUED.

'Of course dor
ale was fond OF gypsy company, wasn't
hep
Goodness gracious no." exclaimed Pho
be. what nonsense you are talking"
"But YOU have seen him Calkingto gypsy
girl; come now. haven't your
Nv" said Phgbe; land I'm afraid that
Mr.. Moore has been giving YOU wine, or You
wonld not talk such rubbish. So will bid
You goodday."
The inspector went eff mors puzzled than
ever. lie was CROPPING about in the dark,
and had 10 idea which waygo face so rs to
get out of the mystery. Butas he said, duty
was duty, and with regard IT, Basil his course
was clear.
As the whole country had rung with the
story Of the mysterious riurder In the bel
fry, an elucidation of the affair would be OF
material professional service TO him, Apart
therefore, from the serse of duty, he had
his own interest ut hisback to urge him on.
OF course Mr.. Moore did not keep the in
teryiew secree. IIesaw no reason for do
ing 50, and NJ. Brandreth was soon alter
made acquainted with whathad passed. lie
laughed at tive idea Of Basil being guilty of
the gipsy's death and Mrs. Moore smiled
al it, but they were one and all uneasy
AutIc was 50 nucu Va rsSAiVuo
attached &c iBasl's story.
Vida was admitted by Mr.. Moore TO the
discussion which followed, and only Ruth
kept in Ignorance of what had passed.
''She has suffered too much already, said
Mrs. Moore land it would be cruelto antici-
pate further evil"
Vida earnestly advocated Basils innc-
cence and succeeded in allaying Mr.. Bran
dreth's suspicion of herself, il indeed hecn.
tertained any She also suggested some
thing that was at least very reasonable.
II think" she said, "that the fellow ,xslst
have been making love to some girl, and,
having betrayed her, paid the penalty OF
his fatsehoOd with his life"
III never thought of that, said Mr. Moore.
Nor | ~ said Mr.. Brandreth, land 10 does
not appear TO have suggested itself to orI
friend the Inspector"
Mrs. Moore quietly said:
'"Our rustic maidens are not given Co as
-sassinate their false lovers. They mayweep,
and got the extent of taking THEN own
lives IN the nearest pool, but they have
neither the brains nor the resolution to
nvenge themselves in the manner suggested
by Vida"
at may not have been rustic maiden"
said Mr. Brandreth.
"Who else would listen 10 that class of
vagabond% said Vida contemptuOusly but
she was white with sntden fear, and her
voice had lost half the music Of its tone.
Mr. Brandrcth again looked at her with
curious earnestnesS, and with q pazzled air.
He was like man with aproblem before
him, of which he knew MT even the direc.
tionof the answer.
The change in Vida was noticed also by
Oh. b,.l hi
from the little circle and retired, she sad :
vida has not been well for some time
past; / wonder what ails her?'
II have noticed it also" replied Mr..
Moore, "but women of her age are change
able. 1t is the unsettled era OF their exist
ence."
And so the subject was dismissed.
The morning of the thirteenth of February
broke unpropitiOusly. There was "A heavy
murky sky above, and p mist oelow upon
the earth. The little wind that rustled the
buildings trees was raw and chill.
Among the first TO I've moving WAS Phoebe,
and it was evident by her heavy eyes and
feverish that she had passed restless
night. The corridor was still wrapped in
gloom when she crept 10 Ruth's door.
Listening intently she oould Just hear the
soft breathing of the sleeper and clasped
her hands in thankfulness. For days she
had been haunted with the belief that Vida
would in some way attempt to take the life
of her young mistress.
Long before the usual hour she quietly
entered Ruth's ROOM and without disturb
ing her proceeded to dust and arrange it.
Ruth awoke earlier than usual. and for
theirs time during her ongg{rial showed
nervousness.
She had borne up bravely through suffer
ing, but now that JOY was near at hand she
was in danger of breaking down.
Wont you come for walk, miss%' said
Phoebe; ''ifs not so fine as it might be, but
the air will do You good"
mot until after breakfast, "replied Ruth.
sand when you go, miss may L attend
.upon you"
81 do not think that shall need you,
Phoebe"
ut is fancy of mine miss, urged the
girl. Now that Mr.. Basil is coming back
! feel as il was going TO part from you
and you have been so kind to me-"
"Nonsense, Phoebe" said Ruth, smiling
al am not going to part witb you, and i'll
have been good mistress you have fully
deserved allGou have received from Inc and
more"
tits kind Of you to say so. miss, and I'll
ask it as favor that you viii keep me by
you If you go out to-day"
every we'll, Phgbe," said Ruth.
Vida Appeared shortly after, and seemed
to he in the highest spirits. She rallied
Ruth on her pale cheeks.
'Fie upon yoS TO keep awake" she said,
"anu so rob yGAr cheeks of thesr rosesi
Basil wi.l scarceiy know YOU"
Il shall be bette SOON" replied Ruth.
The feeling of agitation was not confined
60 her; it pervadsd the whole household,
from NL'. Moore t09.he servants.
Only Vida was calm and sef-p0ssessed.
She was resoluie in the course she had
decidednpo all she needed was the oppor-
tnnity. Prompted by her embttered feel
ings she was resolvedsto turn the JOY of that
house into mourning
He shall come here with heart full OF
lovers yearning," she said, land find her
dead
She had Ghe small phial filed with poison
In her pocket ready for use. but sought
In vain fer an early Opportunity for using it