Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-03-20
VIDA'S REVENGE.
CHATTER II. CONTINUED

CHATTER III. CONTINUEp
"You need not tell your mothers wretch
ed story TO me-" she said, II have nothing
to do with IL. ask you why you follow
me%'
IF were to tell you, know what would
happen" he said.
.Wha. Is that?'
"Ishould be whipped of the GoFdonfclls."
And then there was a silence. He stand
ing with his head hanging and she looking
at him straight, scanning his very soul.
"What makes such cur Of your Vida
asked suddenly.
IL am not cur" he answered.
Lift up your head then"
He raised II, and tried to look at her de-
family. But she was smiling, and he stared
at her amazed.
Upon my word" she said lightly, II
think that you are In love with me-"
AS there is sun in the sky" lie cried
passionately, Il amp
well. don't shrek IL all over the woods"
said Vida. ''Now, being in love with me,
what would you do for me?"
1t was boldly put but he did not yet feel
encouraged. He only stared at her with
amazement in his dark wicked eyes.
what would do for you"' he said slow
~. why, anything"
Easily said" Vida replied in abantering
tone But suppose | try you-put you 10
the test?'
do it," he said, "and anything short OF
taking my own life III do
You would not part with that"
Its only just begun. I've had no fling
yet. No, my lady, I'll not part with my
life"
Perhaps" still in q bantering tone she
poke, you would take the Lire OF another"
An understanding was growing up be-
tween them. lie drew step nearer, and
now looked at her steadily.
II would take life, :" he said deliberately,
"if were paid for it,"
And WHIST would be your price,
He paused, and q hot flush deepencd the
brown of his skin. Only by an effort could
he speak.
II wouldn't do it for money" he said, but
| ! would for--love."
lie expected TO see the fury spring into
her face and hear himself denounced for his
audacity, but she stood still and kept her
eyes upon his face.
Tomorrow night" she said in tone
that reached his cars distinctly, but went
very little beyond him, "a gentleman will
come riding through the village towards the
Gordonfells"
DO know him%' he asked in tic same
keen whisper.
His name is Basil Brandreth."
81 know him we'll"
Enough, then. He is not TO come TO the
Gordonfells; he must never reach ii; and il
he could disappear and never be heard OF
again-all the better"
He can be"
DO not let me know wha. could be done,
but tell me this-can he be kept from the
Gordonfellsg'
'lie can"
lie no longer called her my lady" and
each moment he was growing holder. lie
had drawn nearly up TO her when she check.
ed him with her hand
You must do your work first" Vida said.
land then seek payment"
I'll have something on account he said.
You will not deceive me?'
IF there were twenty Basil Brandreths,
not one of them should reach the Gordon
fells tonight"
"0r be heard OF again?"
Never again"
Haste you, then, to-day to Carpincdean.
and post this letter there" She drew one
from her breast and handed it to him a. sho
spoke ADO it secretly and WELL
You must not 20 yet" he said. planting
himself in her way Something on account.
Let me touch your cheek with my lips
With shuddering frame she stood still
while lie stopped down, and trembling with
10y, put his lips, not 10 her cheek, but to
her lips-he had quite recovered his ordinary
audacty.
That's my seal upon the compact he
said.
And Vida, without answering word.
drew her cloak over her head and hurried
back TO Gordonfells.