Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-03-27


times" Ruth answered, 'and she is still
sleeping"
Barker slowly and solemnly entered tho
room.
Madame, shall keep dinner back?"
Mrs. Moore looked at her husband, who
answered for her:
mo, Barker; Mr.. Brandreth has been de-
tanned. Let dinner be served at once"
They went into the dining-room, but din.
ner, so far as Ruth was concerned. was
mockery. She could eat nothing. The fish
was being removed when Vida appeared.
my dear child" said Mr.. Moore, rising
| hurriedly, show pale you are! Why did you
not keep your roomT'
Being alone grew wParisome," she said,
''and so | came down. No fish, thank you;
q little wine"
The attentive Barker poured her out
glass OF sherry, and she drank it. Then she
looked at Ruth steadily and without falter-
ing.
"Why, Birdie" sho sad. "you ore pale
too. We have ceased 70 be roses and be-
come lilies"
Somebody has been detained" said Mr..
Moore loosely; but he will be here by
and-by"
I'm the selfshness of my headache" said
Vida, II forgot Basil was expected. If he
were my lover / should not easily forgive
him."
1t was wonderful exhibition of speaking
under extreme difficulties. SO intense was
the pain the effort cost her that she could
barely keep from crying out.
Basil is not TO blame" said Ruth with
fash from her blue eyes.
"0h, Ruth" exclaimed Vida, forcing a
laugh, "how can you look at me so Zero
ciously? l believe that you are at heart a per
feet vixen"
They all laughed at this remark; the idea
OF Ruth's being vixen was so very absurd.
Mr.. Moore put finishing touch TO the
merrment-
"Ruth is like you, Vida. Under placid
exterior she conceals most fiery nature.
She is like some Of those fsraway countries
where the land is only thin crust that COW
ers a volcano. You are terrible creatures"
The dinner was over, and Ruth, with ears
upon the stretch, had listened in vain for
the sounds of her coming lover.
After time she begin to show signs OF
| irritation when suggestion was made 10
account for his absence, and they soon ceas-
ed to speak OF him.
in the drawing-room Vida played and
sang-never more brilliantly, Mr.. Moore
said-and Ruth joined her in duet.
But what bitter mockery it was!
A dark cloud lay upon them, and Vida
alone knew what lay behind il.
The first shock of the crime had passed
away, and she was beginning to look things
| In the face.
II angered her to see Ruth pale and dis
traught, simply because Basil was away,
while she-Vida--loying him more iiercely,
and knowing,he was dead, dared not give
vent 10 one word or look that expressed her
| love.
at is hard to bear" she thought "but ii
| Is better than TO have TO look on at their
wooing. That must have driven me mad"
And then she sang another song-"Thc
Sands of Dee"-one of Mr. Moore's favor
| ties.
Sweet music" he said, "but rather mel
ancholy. That poor girl being lost on the
sands"
Can Basil be lost?" said Ruth suddenly.
Lost, my dear child-nonsense."
but he is" said Ruth, rising and holding
out her trembling hands. 81 have feared it,
and know it now. Something has happen
ed TO him; he is dead-he--"
And then she fell forward fainting in her
fathers arms.
Mrs. Moore and Vida came TO her assist
ance, and the bell was rung for Phoebe, her
maid.
J A little cold water and some kindly care
restored Ruth to consciousness.
How foolish of mev' she said. But /
was always weak silly child"
II should recommend a little sleep" said
Mr.. Moore. ut Is ten o'clock, and Basil
will not be here till tomorrow
Ruth assented, and retired to her room,
accompanied by Mrs. Moore and Vida.
Then curious feeling of dstaste for her
cousins society came over her. Ii was most
unaccountable, she thought. and panied her,
but she could not resist its influence.
81 do not think / will trouble you TO re-
main with me, Vida,' she said.
ut Is no trouble" was the reply.
But do not remain, beg of you. Mother
will keep with me-"
Vida did not insist upon remaining.
She was growing weary of playing part
that required so much concentration. ard
STOPPING down, she kissed Ruth and babe
her goodnight.
Her salute was not returned.
Can she suspect me?' she thought and
then she babe Mrs. Moore goodnight, and
went wondering to her room
Phoebe followed. and asked il she could
be of any service. Vida, with some curtness,
bade her so, but the girl still remained.
Are yen sure / cannot do anything for
YOU. missT' she asked
quite sure" replied vida.
You do look so pale and tiseG, miss. Just
Ms II pou had been out for long lcuM and
hurried home"
Vida turned upon her quickly, almost
fercely.
What did you say?" she demanded.
Phoebe was q simple-looking country lass,
and stared az her in innocent surprise.
why nothing, miss" she said; II only
said you looked as IL you were tired"
THE observation was needless" return
ed Vida; ~ ain no; very tired, and do not
need any help"
Very we'll, Miss"
With courtesy Phobe retired, and Vida
was left alone. She went TO the window,
pSshed aside tie curtain, and looked out.