Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-05-01
CHAPTER XII.
ANOTHER LETTER.

How Ruth managed to keep her secret is
not easy to say, but keep il She did, and hid
the JOY that dubbed in her heart like the
warm water Of geyser, only finding full
vent at times when she was alone.
And Vida kept il too, and the effort re-
CURED on her part taxed her sorely.
She had trouble To hide in the place OF
JOY. and with an ever-aching heart she went
about with smiling face.
How was il possible for Basil to be alive?
And il alive, and well enough to write,
why could he not return at once?
Vida knew that he was, IL living, true 10
Ruth. and herein lay The great puzzle. Be-
ing true, why did he keep away?
Then at times Vida would think that the
letter was Jest, but she could not call TO
mind anyone on whom she could with the
least show OF reason fix II.
1t was all puzzle, problem, the solving
~ which might bring ruin upon her.
but they shall not triumph over me-"
she thought. II may die, but | will leave
aching hearts behind me-"
1t was bitter feeling, but passion is a
soil in which deadly things will grow and
Vida's soul was more like fair garden DER
which had crcpt the deadly nightshade and
the poisonous .aconite.
Ruth shall die, " she thought, and steeled
her heart against all promptings of mercy.
TO this end she spared PhGbe, and kept
the deadly potion she had purchased at
Carpingdean as weapon TO use in the end.
Meanwhile she watched and waited for
the unfolding OF events.
A month passed, and there was no further
sign from Basil.
Vida grew hopeful. and Ruth despondent
Al. = Ill 4,,. Il ,,,t
were things that were part Of her nature.
Basil has promised to come, and he will
come, surely" she said.
Kenard wrote 10 Vida double letters, one
Of which she could show t. Ruth and the
other keep for herself.
With bitter contempt, Vida read the out
pourings OF his ingenious heart.
THE love of man wa ted, she said. at
is nothing % me why should il be so? Basil
saw nothing in me. kenard everything, and
must love the man who loves me not. Ii
Is the way Of wOman's life"
IL was late in November when one day
there came another letter for Ruth, directed
in q III. gulsed hand as before.
Ii was from Basil. and written much In
the same terms as the last.
She was 70 wait and hope, and believe in
him, and he would soon be with her.
"Aly lettera" he wrote, ARE posted for
me, far away from where AIN, and, it may
be. near home. Sometimes the horrible
thought comes over me that they are not
sent at all. but Icannot think that those
trust ran he so base.
'pn, Ruth, Ruth. my darling, your image
is ever before me Is day and in NV dreams
at night. Ipray that time may speed away
opd hriuy mo Ia you
OF course she showed this to Vida, and
put her anew upon the rack.
All doubts were dispeled; Basil was
alive, and SO far all her SHINING had been
fruitless-
She smiled on Ruth, and congratulated
her. but when alone she raved and sobbed
in the agony of mad passion, and the bit
terness of her heart increased.
II would kill both" she grosned, "but
that would be too kind. One shall live and
suffer-"
December was well advanced, and the
shortest day was at hapd, wh1n startling
news came TO Gprdonfells.