Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-08
CHAPTER vi.
WITHIN THE NET.

The sun had gone down, and Bardolph
Dimsey was at the appointed spot pacing
up and down, but Vida had not come.
Fury and disappointment were on the fea-
.ares af the half-bred gipsy. and he stopped
now and then in his walk to listen and shake
his fist In impotent fury In the direction OF
Gordonfells.
"Woe to her." he muttered again and
again, "woe to her II she attempts to Gsceive
mew
At length he moved slowly toward Cor
d0a;ells, pausing now and then to listen for
approaching footsteps. But no such sounds
fell upon his ear. All was still save within
the house, and there he could see shadows
OH the blinds of lighted windows moving to
and fro.
Bardolph had keen eyes, and ere long he
had made out the profile Of Vida In an upper
room. Rightly judging that this was her
own apartment he quietly crept under II,
and watched and waited until he was as
sured that she was alone.
''Pll risk it," he muitsred, and began 20
Chamber up the thick Ivy that covered that
part Of the old house.
Vida was indeed alone and In restless
mood. She had deliberately kept away from
her appointment. believing that Bardolph
would do nothing. He would be angry, OF
course, but she could offer him an excuse
when they met again. Her idea was to keep
him aloof until she would be able to get rid
of him for good and all.
/ But here he was tapping softly at the win.
dow, and an icy chill passed throught her as
she realised how desperate and resolved he
was.
"what shall dor she thought "Oh,
would thxt could kill him here"
But that being impossible, or, at least,
p,a.lness, she fell back upon her arst notion
to temporise with him. So she lowered
the light, softly drew up the blind, and open
ed the window.
.'Who Is there?'' she asked In whisper.
.Oh, You know Bardolph answered sulki-
~. Don't try to humbug me"
s'Come in," she said, and he clambered In
IN the room.
Now wait there moment" she continu-
ed, "until make all safe"
Her door vas already locked, and there
was only the window to close and the blind
70 replace.
As an additional security she drew the
heavy curtains close.
Then having turned mp the lamp she faced
him with resolute look.
s.ln the first place." she said, II will ask
you to speak low. Now tell me what you
mean by coming here"
"You said you would meet me- In the
wood, :" he answered as he stared at the
handsome appointments Of the chamber
with something akin to awe, land you
haven't been near me-"
Can do as please?" she asked. DO
you think that can 60 In and out at all
times and seasons and not be not,ced.'
"You are not servant" he said.
mo, but ] am lady, and there are 10
strictlons attached to my position that you
know nothing about"
'srhen you must break through them"
with what result, DO you think?' Vida
asked edcontemp.uiusly. Exposure, OF course,
and with exposure suspicion and disaster.
We must be prudent
Prudence isn't Ia my line" he answered
hoarsely.
Then you must adopt H." Vida rejoined.
snow. mark me we'll. Twin not como 10
the wood to meet you."
''You will not."
mo. We must have trysting-place more
secure from observation. am goIag TO sug-
gest one the old helfry OF the chnrch-tow-
Or"
''rye heard It's haunted - Bardolph said.
"A village tale,n returned Vida, ''And II
will serve US we'll. We shall be safe from
intrusion there. The little door is never
locked, and the staircase leads 70 the bolfry
above. You cS~S = lose your way"