Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-04-10
CHAPTER VIII.
NM APPOINTMENT KEP1

Tie AbPOlNlMENT hEPTs
But for superstitious dread, Bardolph
Dimsey would have gone straight to the bel.
fry and lay down there to wait, but he knew
of the ghost-story attached to that sOmbre
chamber, and dared not go.
During the darkness he wandered about
the woods and as soon as there was any
light in the sky he hurried to the church.
yard, and after careful look round, opened
the door, and assembled the dark winding
1ight of stairs.
Reaching the chamber, he found there was
light enough coming through the narrow
Sits in the wall to dispel superstitious fears.
He was tired and almost worn out. Sleep
was an absolute necessity for him, and ly-
ing down in the warmest corner he curled
himself up like dog and slept.
But ere an hour elapsed he was awakened
by the boom of the deepest sounding bell,
and sitting up he saw the "B G Ben" of the
chamber working to and fro on its wheel.
What are they ringing for%' he asked,
"'it isn't Sunday"
And then it occurred to him that only one
bell was going, and that there were gaps be-
tween each solemn note.
The dread truth flashed upon him-the
belringer was tolling for the dead.
This is some prank Of hers" he mutter-
ed; ''she thinks to drive me away, but I'll
stop till she comes"
He fiercely thrust his fingers into his ears,
and then only partially smothered the
solemn sound.
Boom boOmi 1t was horrible.
Then suddenly it stopped, and another
bell in quicker time tolled out the age of
the dead person, whoever it may have been.
Bardolph knew what it meant, and count.
ed the notes.
Twenty-six in all.
That's my age" he gasped; ''the fiends
seize her! know it is some trick. I'll not
CO."
And though quaking in every limb he
kept there until the sounds ceased
Then he heard the church-door close, and
peering cautiously through one of the open.
ings saw the old bellringer walk slowly
down the path, refreshing himself with a
pinch Of snuff as he went. The sight of the
old man was reassuring
'Ive been fool" muttered Bardolph:
ait was mere chdnce that led him TO toll for
another to-day. But anyway, don't want
to hear that bell again."
He filled his pipe, lit it, and began to
smoke. In little while the church clock
struck ten. In two hours more Vida ought 10
be there.
THE time will soon pass" he said ana
leant back contentedly against the wall.
Vida was more than punctual. Barely
had the clock struck the succeeding hour
when the rustic of her dress was heard on
the stairs. Bardolph got hurriedly upon his
feet, and thrust his pipe into his pocket
"She's not deceived me" he said, and his
eyes lighted up with the fierce fire Of pas.
sion.
She entered the belfry with a slow timid
step, and he saw by her face that she had
passed the vigils of the night sleeplessly
"You are here early" she said.
81 came as soon as the sun rose," he an.
swered.
THAT was wise" she said. But did
not hear bell tolling?'
"Yes, confound itp' he growled, land IL
you had heard the boom Of it in this place
it would have made you SILVER as it did me-"
VERY likely. Now you see that l am
true to my tryst," Vida said, but 1 have
yet another proposal to make. We cannot
leave here together"
I'VE must do so, he said; II will have
no more partings."
"Do you court discovery she asked. 81
have been obliged to plead q visit to friends
in town and what not 10 get sway"-this
was falsehood, she had pleaded nothing,
nor named her journey; ''and If were seen
with YOU, what would be saidg'
WHO can say anything" he asked.
'Mr. Moore, for instance. See there?'
She pointed through the narrow slit and
Bardolph turned round expecting to see her
uncle without. The moment his back
was to her she swiftly drew her hand from
under her cloak
The white tapered fingers clasped the
jeweled hilt of the dagger, and with fierce
nervous force she drove home the glittering
blade.
A sharp cry rang from his lips, and stag
gering forward, he fell against the stone
wall.
"a blow for every kiss you gave me" she
Kissed, and again the weapon was driven
home.
Blind with pain and terror he fell, his
hands fruitlessly seeking something to grasp
on the wall. When on the floor he rolled
over, and lay upon his back helpless and
dying.
You hagP' he Kissed.
you hound" she answered, ITO think
that ever should be a aotfe TO you A blow
for every kiss, sayp
He raised his arms feebly to ward OF the
blow, but with unerrlng aim she thrust the
dagger into his breast
'The curse of dying man cling TO YOU"
he said in tone that was like the hiss OF
q serpent.
These were his last words. A dreadful
pallor overspread his face: he made an eff