The Forrest City times., 1892-05-06

NO. We must have a trysting-place more secure from observation. l am going to sug- gest one-the old belfry of the church-tow- CT,
 I've heard it's haunted" Bardolph said.
 village tale returned Vida, land it Will serve us well. We shall be safe from intrusion there. The little door is never iocseu, and the staircase leads to the belfry aoove. You cannot loss your way"
 And when will you meet me?'
 tomorrow afternoon. Go early, and wait for me, and we will talk over tho fil- ture together"
 I've made up my miai about that" he saia With leer He had got over his first embarrassment ani was himself again. T am going to make you Mrs. Dimsey."
 IL WAS in the hear. Of Vida to strike him as he stool and her hands impulsively cienchcd, but she restrained herself, and only said:
 'Irdeedr'
 Yes; I've got my plans worked out" ho said. May l sit down."
 Il cannot givo you much more time now. The dinner-hour is near"
 Il sha'n be long, I've a otion for sit. ting in chair like gentleman" said Bar. dolph. "The ground is more in my line at present, but I'm going in for something bet ter. Here's the sort of thing 10 suit me"
 He threw himself into Vida's own easy. chair, and, crossing his legs. leered up a. her with an impudence that was all his own. Will you take that little chair facing me" he said, and we shall bs quite cosy"
 She sat down, whi,e and trembling with fury.
 "Oh, for the power to wither him with lightning as he loled before herl
 She would have risked an age of torture for the gift of destructive power, and she wouid have killed him by inches. Now pipe would make the thing com plete," he said. We should then be like man and wife at our own fireside.'' You can't smoke here" she answered | cTtly
 70, suppose not" he replied; "bu. rea.iy, this chair is nice. 1 don't wonder at you swell people putting yourselves abovo the poor. begin to feel that am a gentle manp'
 What proposal have you to make to me-" asked Vida. Let me hear what it is, and go. am expecting my ma every mo- | ment"
 "In the first place" he sad, you are to be Mrs. Dimsey." Well, you said so before" And, secondly, as one marriage cere- | mony is as good as another, I propose tha. we make gipsy wedding of it. Why should your people know anything about it?"
 They know everything as it is,' he said, 'bnt they are as close as death. JiLa the snowman caught the horse-his horse, you | Ena VH t,r t.fI and putting false marks on the brute, he got him safely away. The others helped with the grave and burial.n
 What madness to trust auyone~ hissed Vida. T never dresmt you were such a | fool"
 Could do |. all aone?" he asked; but don't you fear. Ten thousand pounds re- ward would not tempt them with the fear of Hecate curse before their eyes,
 And who is Hecateg' "The head of our trbe-the mother of us all, and I anl.her darling ehld-a good thing l for me, isn't itp"
 T don't know" said Vida indiferently. 'So am to be married among your people what next? Am to live with them?'
 No" said Bsrdolph, eagerly bending for ward: i've must leave them. l want 10 get away, and would have gone long ago if durst, but they know too much of me, and know too much or them. It wasn't safe"
 ''Is it safe now:'
 "Yes, for Two lied 10 'er; I've told lem that I'm going away w.th you Tor year."
 "Oh, Heavenl'
 "Whst did you sayT'
 Nothing Do not mind snc, go on" n,l. nd fun And you've money, haven't you?"
 T hays a few thousands in my own right" said Vida coldly. 'ThousandsW he repeated with gleamins eyes. Come, that's brave. We could go away, right across the seas, and live like . lady and gentleman together. I'm madly in love with you. am, and I'll be your dog, your save-snything" He had risen up and was approaching her. but she motioned for him to keep back. You have taken me by surprise" she said. Il must hsvs time to think" T can't wait" ho returned, my bloods afre. Pm not moment free from you. l m haunted by your beauty. It is like sweet scented flower, ard l can't rest until I've made you my wife"
 Don't touch me now" she said hurried ly; 'I agree with your proposal. To-mor- row night will come to the camp, and we need nor meet in the beifry until tho next day"
 But when we arc married VIC shall go away together"
 Re reasonable and prudent" said Vida, still speaking hotly and .ur-iedly; there are some things must do. l must collect my 1eweiry."
 "Aye, your 1ewelry." he said, ncdding his head.
 And get some money to enable us to get away. will write to my lawyer tonight He will write to me tomorrow. On the following morning I shall have the money. We meet at the belfry at noon, and leave together. There, you see, agree. In Gods i mercy leave me now"
 The words poured like torrent from her lips. and even while speaking to him, her mind, wrought to a high pitch of excite ment, was seeking some loophoie to escape from the net she had cast about herself.
 You will not disapk olnt me?' he said, bending forward, with his hands working nervously.
 No, mo-" was her reply, 'as I hope to live vii do all have promised. Gonow." !"
 'One kiss, my love"
 "Oh, why do you stay9 l can hear my maid coming. Unless you would spoil al you will leave me"
 "I can't wthout kiss" he said.
 "Quick tlsen," she said, and st seling her self for the ordeal she turned her cheek to- wards him.
 He put his arms about her and drew her to him. She felt his lips hot and dry upon hers, and it seemed as if she had been scar ed by a hot iron.
 s.Ona mora