Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-03-20

No, that would never do-the bitter work
must go on to the end.
or all the days Of her young life. Vida
had never known one like that which fol.
/ lowed.
1t was not pain, or sickness, or fear, or re
pentance that assaied her, but q wild
watchfulness and soul WEAKNESS that was
inexpressibly horrible to bear.
II slept very little last night" she told
Ruth when she expressed some anxiety
about her health, land my head aches.
think shall spend the day quietly in my
ROOM"
Shall l read to you?" Ruth asked.
YES; read to me-" Vida said.
Vida lay upon her couch with the curtains
drawn to dim the light, and Ruth, choosing
"Evangeline," began 10 read that charming
story of woman's pure faithful love.
1t Jared upon Vida's ears ;she turned her
thoughts to Basil Brandreth.
She knew he was at Briarwood, spending
few hours with his people, and burning
with Impotence to mount his horse and ride
to his lady-love.
In the depths Of her aching heart her an.
guish boiled and dubbed like oil in a caul-
dron.
III he were burning to come to me-" she
thought, chow different my life would be p
What did you say, dearY' Ruth asked.
Nothing" she replied. II did not speak"
81 thought you did. Shall go on read.
ing?"
mo, thank you. | think if you leave mo
now shall sleep, and if do not wake to
dress for dinner, do not disturb me-
But Basil is coming" said Ruth.
ITO see YOU" replied Vida, smo.herng
some harsh words that rose to her lips. "Y OF
will be good company enough without my
poor society. will join you at tea"
Ruth left, and as il was then four in tho
afternoon Vida knew she would be disturb
ed no more.
70 guard against the possibility of a visi.
tor, she went TO the door and locked it.
To her couch she did not return, but sat
down by the fire and tried to warm her chill.
ed hands and feet, which seemed to have
been turned TO ice.
In vain, the life-blood would not return to
them, and, shivering she arose and walked
! about the room.
! Every few minutes she looked at her
watch, and the time Jagged YEARLY.
my lover with the tigers eyes will keep
| his word, she said. Basil will not be here
! tonight But where and how will he stop
him."
]
but as the time for the arrival of Ruth's
lover drew near, she became restless beyond
all endurance One moment she would
have stopped the murderer-for Bardolph
could be nothing less than that to be sue
cessful-and the next moment she was ready
to take share In the deadly work.
Now hot, now cold, she paced the room
until she could bear it no longer.
f1.l.a ,,at
have air."
She took the fur-lined cloak she had worn
in the morning, and wrapped it about her.
just outside in the corridor there was
staircase seldom used, that led to small
door In the north tower.
Mr. Moore used it occasionally for a pri-
/ vate mode of entrance or exit, but nobody
else ever went that way.
Opening the door o. the room coftly she
listened. All was still without.
Now" she said, 81 can leave safely. II
is the idle hour of all at Gordonfells."
She locked her door quietly, and with a
light step descended the staircase.
As she passed her uncle's room, she heard
him within humming tune.
"All are merry here but me-" she thought
bitterly.
The door below turned back on its hinges
without noise, and she passed out, closing
il gently behind her.
1t was already night, and the moon was
rising.
Il will walk here" she said, and paced
up and down the terrace once.
Then she was drawn bya mysterious pow.
er that was irresistible towards the road by
which Basil would come.
She crossed the park, and avoiding the
lodge, reached the main road by a gap in
the fence she knew of. Once OH the high
road she went forward swiftly.
A revulsion Of feeling had again come up
OH her.
81 was foolsh-mad." she murmured. 81
must stop that gypsy bloodhound. If Ruth
gets the letter can say that it is jest.
Hark! is that not horse coming%'
She stopped and listened, and the patter'
ing OF a horses hoOfs fell upon her ear.
The sound came from distance.
lie is coming" she said; "the gypsy has
been false to his promise. No Oh, my God!'
The report of a gun or pistol echoed in
the night air.
In moment the sound was repeated, and
then stiffness followed.
With hurried feet, and trembling in every
limb, Vida glided swiftly over the ground.
it, and came upon q scene that sent the life
blood back upon her heart, and for mo-
ment stopped its beating.
On the ground lay young fellow with all
the grace of early handsome manhood in
his face and figure, an unmistakable scion
of gentle blood.
He was quite still, and lay as IL he had
fallen asleep upon the road.
In the distance horse was Galloping of
in alright.
Not far from the trembling Vida stood
szsn, roughly dressed, with mask cover
ing his face.
Vida drew near 10 the fallen man, and
with wild eyes and hushed breath scanned
him over.
Suddenly she fell upon her knees beside
him.
Not dead, not dead ~ she cried. Basil,
speak to me! Oh, Heaven, what have
done? Basil, come back to lifew
IF you make this noise" said a stern
voice behind her, "you will bring somebody
who will make 1t unpleasant for both of us.
You were mad to come here"
"You villain 70 cried Vida leaping to her