Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-05-01

OF the ropes of his bells wrong, and wen. up
10 the befry to see what was the mater.
BE assembled at night with lantern, and
stumbled over the decaying body of Bar.
dolph.
In frenzy of terror he staggered down
the stairs, and TO the village with the horri-
BILE news. In half an hour all the grown in
habitants were on the spot, and Mr.. Moore,
with policeman, keeping order among the
excited throng.
1t was no pleasant task TO inspect the
body of the dead man, but it was done, and
the CHASTITY remains were laid upon hurdle
In the cold moonlight.
~ know who it is, Mr.. Moore" said the
policeman, after closely scanning the face;
tits one of the gypsy lot; he called himself
Bardolph Dimsey, and used to brag about
his being born gentleman"
Poor fellowp' said Mr.. Moore; ait mat
tiers little now what he was. He will never
brag again."
1t was impossible for them TO correctly
estimate how long he had lain there, but the
doctor said it was three months at least,
perhaps more, and it was the medical mans
opinion that he had been murdered in the
belfry.
"He looks as II he had fallen and died
there" he said; "there are no signs Of his
being dragged or carried about after DEATH"
This opinion went far to turn suspicion
from the first direction it took, and to ex-
onerate the gipsies from any share in the
crime.
1T would have been easier for them"
said the inspector, when he came shortly
after on the scene, ito have settled him in
the wood, and buried him there"
When the news reached Gordonfells Il
caused a vast amount OF commotiOn among
the domestics. Phoebe was so far overcome
as 10 faint away, and when they brought
her round she went about her duties white
and silent.
Whenever she met Vida she shuddered,
and stood aside and the look of having
something to say but not daring to say it
grew upon her face.
Vida could not but notice the aversion Of
the girl, and felt that il was a thing that
must be dealt with promptly. Accordingly
she seized the first opportunity to speak to
her alone. Finding her in Ruth's room,
when Ruth was out, she went quietly in and
closed the door.
Phoebe" she said what is the matter
with you lately? Whenever | come near
you l am subject to your rudeness. You
turn away from me as IL | were some re-
pulsive stranger"
'0h, miss" pleaded the trembling girl, II
can't help it. 1t is such horrible thing"
what is so horrible, you fool"'
1.-THE dead man as was found in the bel-
fry, miss"
"Well," said Vida calmly, "what has that
to do with meY'
Il don't know miss" sobbed Phoebe, COW
ering her face with her apron; "but I've had
such ugly dreams about it. I'm in the
churchyard night after night, and l see you
go into the belfry, then l hear you talking
to him, aad then horrible sound of q man
falling, and groans, and then l see you
come down with your face rs white as snow,
and go away, not seeing INC hiding in the
porch"
Phoebe" said Vida fereely, Selling her
by the wrist 'let me have no more of this I;
I'll not endure it. Do you know what you
are saying"
'0h, miss, ii isn't a dream, it is true"
ut is a lie, you fool. and il you ever dare
say another word about it, I'll have you
charged with the murder"
me, missp' exclaimed Phoebe, looking
up with a startled face.
Eyes, YOU" said Vida; ''you and he were
always in the wood together"
oh miss! l never spoke to me man In
my life"
II will swear that I've seen you in the
shrubbery and wood together" said Vida,
with a set look of determination on her
face, land have reproyed you for ii. Nay,
more, l will swear that it was I who was in
the churchyard and you in the belfry, and
when 1t comes 10 the question of whose word
is to be taken who do you think will be be-
lievedP'
''0h, miss, you are cruel-cruel p sobbed
Phoebe; 'but spare me, I'm only poor Is
norant girl"
'Have done with your nonsense, then, -
said Vida; "come back TO your senses and
let me have no more of your shuddering and
turning away when / come near you. You
understand mep
"Yes, miss" replied the girl humbly.
Every good; now go away and come at
the usual hour 10 assist me to dress for din
ner."
Yes, miss" said Phoebe, and with a
wretched look upon her face she crept from
the room.
She knows much but can prove nothing"
said Vida with q triumphant laugh. "The
ignorant fool, TO enter the lists with mel
will crush her il she dares to play her shiv-
ering pranks on me again."
"