Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-03-27
CHAPTER V.
THE VALENTINE.

The morning OF the 14:h OF February
broke cold and clear, a slight rime frost lay
upon the grass, but was turned TO moisture
by the first rays Of the sun. The birds chirp-
ed in the wood, the lark sang in the mead
ows, and the cowboy viii. tied cheerily as
he plodded across the park.
"a bright, beautiful morning to make
one glad thought Ruth, as she opened her
window and looked forth; but Basil is
away, andthere is no sunshine for me-"
His absence and his silence were to her
incOmprehensible. If detained at home
there were messengers to send. If detain-
ed farther away was there not the wondrous
telegraph TO bring few words to her?
Why should he be silent? Why should he
be away?
She did not doubt him her thoughts never
leaned in that direction. lie was her af-
fanced husband, and she believed him to be
the soul of honor and truth-only accident
or death could have stopped his coming OF
sending message.
The delay Of the post experienced in towns
on ST. Valentines morning was not known
at GOrdonfels. Mr.. Moore had letter-bag
which was always first attended TO at the
post-oflice. and one of his grooms fetched it
on horseback.
AS Ruth was looking out of her window
with aching heart and dim eyes this man
came riding up
Ruth heard the thud of the horses hoofs
on the greensward, and fastened down to
the hall where Barker was waiting with the
key ready to open the bag and sort the do
meStics' letters from those of the family.
In the dark shade Of the staircase several
Of the younger serying-maids were waiting
i,,.r Of tsoln
certain rustic lovers.
As Ruth appeared they drew back and
were silent
Anything for me, Barker?' she said with
sadness in her tone that touched the
listeners hearts.
Zone letter, miss replied Barker de
ferentialy as he solemnly put an envelope
on a salver and handed il TO her with a pro-
found obeisance.
Ruth glanced at it and saw that it was
Basil's handwriting. The woman-forger,
Vida Moore, had done her work too well,
and even the eyes OF love were deceived.
"All is well" thought Ruth, and over her
face there came light that was like the
rays of July sun breaking from behind
cloud.
Too impatient 10 go upstairs, she stole in
10 morning-room and closed the door.
First she kissed the envelope and then
opened t.
One glance was sufficient TO scatter her
Joy to the far corners of the earth and TO
blanch the cheeks that for brief time were
like the sweet blush rose. The forged words
went home TO her heart like dagger.
But she did not scream or moan or fall
standing erect she read the cruel letter
through:
MY ID Ar Miss MOORE, 1t is not with
out much reflection that l have decided not
to come TO GOrdOnfells again. l have strJs-
gled against warning love, and the victory
has not been with my desire TO he faithful.
Ii is better for YOU and for me that we
should not meet again. Forgive and forget
Inc. shall be away for some months, and
when / return i hope To find il possible for
us to meet as friends.
Yours ever sincerely,
BASIL BRANDRETH.
False TO me! Basil false TO mew was
all she said, and if ever a heart was really
on the point of breaking Ruth's was then.
But tears, that flow from the safety-valve Of
sorrow, saved her, and she sank upon her
knees by a chair sobbing like child.
She had been there for a minute or so
when the door opened and Vida came in.
No signs Of sorrow or repentance there.
The mornings light had brought with it
hardness of heart, and her hatred of her
cousin was as strong as ever.
Drawing up quietly, she stood by the back
OF the chair looking down upon Ruth with
anger and bitter contempt in her dark, hand
some face. She was jealous even of the sor-
row of the poor girl.
IL see l lave not done yet" she thought.
III must rend hisvery image from her heart,
and leave her soul desert.
''Ruthr'
WHO'S there?' cried the startled girl,
hurrledy raising her head. "0h, Vida
Vida, is it your
III is me-" replied Vida. "What has set
you t. weeping? Basil may come to-day"
mo- he is false TO me, and cruel" sobbed
Ruth. Then IN moment she was defend
ing him: mo, he is not cruel He has been
blinded and lured away from me-
DO not forget that he is a man." said
Vida; land it is the nature OF men to be
false"
mot Basil-he was true"
May read that letterP''
Ruth gave it TO her, and she scanned her
own writing with grim smile. As she
handed 1t back she laughed bitterly.
Ruth, is that the man TO weep forP' she
asked.
II loved him-I love him still,' pleaded
Ruth
Even now that he is false TO your
Yes; can ever forget or cease to love
him."
What little fool you areP' said Vida.
And for a moment the mask had fallen, and
Ruth saw the blacker side OF her nature.
She stared at her in dsmay.
You must not be angry with him, Vida"
she said; "he has not wronged YOU"
He has wronged us all, Vida answered.
"You must learn to despise him, as / do"
But she lied. She had never loved him
more than she did at that moment, and her
dread secret made her burden very heavy to
bear.
Ruth" Vida continued, you must go TO
your mother at once and tell her of the In
suit that has been offered you"
u will not do that" replied Ruth.