Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-05-15

W
Basil comes" she said. sit will never do
TO meet him with the face OF ghost"
81. is Basil who will bring back the roses"
said Mr.. Moore.
1t was, on the whole, a dull party. All
were strung up to pitch Of excitement that
kept them from talking much, and, occu-
pied with their own thoughts and specula-
tons, they sat for the most part silent.
Just as the meal was concluded, Barker
came in with his face picture Of joyous
vivacity struggling with solemnity. and laid
an envelope containing a telegram by Ruth's
side.
messenger waiting to hear II there is any
answer" he said.
Ruth opened the envelope, glanced at its
contents, and passed 1t to her mother in ST.
lence. Words failed her at the moment.
1t was quickly handed round, as look
sufficed to absorb the contents.
with you at four o'clock"
That was all but how pregnant with glori-
Gus tldlngsl And it was then two o'clock.
Only two hours, and he would be there.
After q few moments their tongues broke
loose, and the news Of BasiPs coming was
promptly conveyed to the domestics by the
feverish Barker, who, while lingering about
outside, accidentally" heard the contents
of the telegram.
Ruth was the first to leave the dining
room, and Vida followed.
Where are you going, Birdie?' she asked.
II feel that must be alone" answered
Ruth. II am going to shut myself in my
ROOM"
MAY not come with you?"
mot now, dear"
'But by-and-by-before he comesY'
Eyes little before. 1 feel that shall
want you by my side"
With an evil light in her eyes, Vida glided
away.
She thought she had all safe now.
1t was at twenty minutes to four that Vida
sought Barker and babe him bring some
wine TO her room.
"Port will be the best think" she said.
and In five minutes Barker, guessing for
whom 1t was needed, brought it to her with
two glasses.
THANK you, Barker; that will do"
BE left the room, and in the left-hand
glass Vida poured half the contents of the
phial.
TWAS colosless, and without any percep-
tible odor.
Now for the last scene of this eventful
story" she said, and went to Ruth's room.
The door was unfastened, and she enter.
cd, Ruth was walking to and fro, pale and
trembling.
'Come tony ROOM" said Vida ~ have
some wine. A little you must have, or you
will break down."
She did not sec Phoebe standing in the
shadow of the curtain, and, Ruth passively
obeying they went out, Phoebe following.
They entered Vida's room, and still she
saw nothing of Phoebe. The door was left
open, and Vida poured out some wine.
Here, Birdie" she said, pushing forward
the fatal glass, drink"
"Harkv' cried Ruth; ~ heard the sound
Of wheels"
She rushed to the window, and Vida fol-
lowed
A carriage was coming up the drive.
ut is Basil, my love-"
Come here and have some wine," said
Vida hurriedly, you will faint If you dc
not Here, drink"
She took up the glass, and Ruth hastily
drank the wine, Vida at the Same moment
emptying hers.
'Now," she said, 'go and meet him."
Ruth lost no time. Warmed and stimulated
by the wine, she walked quickly from the
room. Then Vida for the first time saw
Phoebe.
what are you doing herc?' she cried
hastily.
"Icame in with Miss Ruth" replied Pho.
be. Il have been here all the time"
A sudden spasm caused Vida TO start:
there was look in the girls face that ap
palled her.
Girl" she shrieked, what have you
dOne?
II don't know" replied Phoebe, trem.
bling, 'but was afraid that you meant tc
do harm to Miss Ruth, and while you were
at the window l changed the gldSSeSW
The awful truth burst upon Vida with
lightning force, and she staggered back.
! The girl had not lied, for already the poi.
eonous fires were leaping and dartlng with.
in her. In few moments she would be
dead
She heard vehicle stop at the door, a glad
cry from Ruth, and the CHEEKY tones OF
Basil's voice minging with the welcome OF
father and friends; then all the fury of o
disappointed,woman took possession Of her,
and she rushed on Phoebe.
The girlwas taken by surprise, and fell
back. The next moment she felt the small
hand Of Vidaupon her throat.
''Your life for mine" was Kissed In her
ears, and Phoebe gave herself up for lost.
But the poison was her friend in this dire
extremity. Its death-dealing power came
into full action just in time, and with o
groan Vida loosened her grasp, rolled over,
and lay still.
Horror-st1icken, bnt still with sufficient
control of herself no to make any great dis.
turbance, Phoebe rose up and staggered
from the room.
Reaching the head of the stairs she saw
that Ruth and her friends had just left the
hall, but the inspector was justenterlng the
door.
She glided down, and ere he could ask
for Mr.. Moore, laid a hand upon his arm.
"Come upstairs" she said, II have some
thing to tell YOU"
She took him up ana showed MIN the deao
Vida, and told him all she knew. He list
ened like man to whom long-sought SO
cret Is being revealed.
do not disturb the family" he said when
she finished, ''but go and quietly bring Mr..
Moore to me-"
Ruth's peace was nOt disturbed that night.
They told her that Vida was not well, and
would keep her room, and when the morn.
Ing came Mrs. Moore took her to Briarwood.
accompanied by Basil and Mr.. Brandreth.
They led her to believe ct first that a dan.
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