Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-22
CHAPTER tx.
sLUMBgHINs on a VOLCANO.

Detii luitu away from htf, ana III ner nPari
she forgaye him.
/ Some people would call this womanly for.
giyeness woman's weakness, but we prefer
/ 10 give IL the true name of woman's unset.
/ fish love.
| She did not extend her forgiveness to heI
! supposed rival, that would have been more
than one could expect from mortal woman.
/ For her Ruth had nothing but good honest
4 hate.
There were no signs Of sickness in her,
/ though her secret suffering was great. Any
/ display Of emotion or utterance Of vain re.
! gret she felt wOald be unworthy Of Moore
OF Gordonfells.
! She was certainly as like herself as her
dearest friends could have wished her 10 be.
The brief repugnance she felt for Vidas
] society passed away.
/ She fought against it, because she was
convinced II was unjust, and conquered il.
Ere long they were on the old footing Of
sisterly love and confidence, the confidence
being, Of course, mainly on Ruth's side.
But there was on person at Gordonfells
who avoided Vida as much as possible, and
that Ph9be the maid who was supposed 10
be attendant 10 both the cousins, and she
gave most Of her service 10 Ruth.
( The repugnance vas mutual.
vida s0on entertained strong dislike for
the girl, and declined her offered services.
IL she had dared, she would have done
her best TO get her dismissed: but dread
OF something held her back
nhTbc nigh. know little and suspect
more. II so, it was policy TO conciliate--or
remove her.
Ruth noticed this feeling between them,
and mentioned it TO Vida. who laughed, and
declared she would rat.ey be without u
maid.
"PEeAe is devoted Ia you" she said. "and
no woman can serve two mistresses."
Then Ruth tried Phpbe, and made no
more hesdway there.
If you please. miss" the girl said, Miss
Vida doesn't want me, and It's no use my
Offering 10 do anything"
The offer ofa separate maid Vida refused,
and then the matter dropped.
Meanwhile, compensating feeling for
Vida Lad arisen la another direction.
Kenard was becoming devoted 10 her.
He was a handsome higb-spirited young
fellow. not absolutely without guile, or he
would have been fool, but with an honest
heart and ready belief in others.
In Vida he now saw qualities and charms
that had escaped his notice during his boy
hood and youth.
They were cousins, had been brought up
together and much freedom of intercourse
was allowed them.
They walked rode, and drove alone, with
Out exciting much comment Oh tie par; OF
their friends al Gordonfelis.
1T would be something 10 be- mistress
here" Vida thought, and II will be better
than dragging on life alone
She did not love him. for her heart had
been given to Basil Brandreth, and every
day that hopeless love gathered strength,
and kept her soul npOn the rack.
Her life was very miserable
The memory Of the dead man lying in the
belfry was alone sufficient TO embitter il.
No discovery was made, but every day she
dreaded to hear the hubbub of il. and to
have to listen TO the murder being discussed,
| and to see the police at their investigating
work.
But nobody visited the belfry, and the
body OF the murdered gypsy lay wasting
away undiscovered.
So having made up her mind TO be Mrs.
Moore, Vida gave Kenard encouragement
and secret troth was plighted between
them, and 1t came TO pass in this way.
Months had passed, and 1t was q close sui
try summer day, when Kenard and Vida
were boating on the lake. He had been
rowing but having laid aside the oars, the
! boat drifted in among some rushes, which
hid them from the view of all around.
How careless OF you, Kenarsi, said Vida
with q smile.
Let lis rest here little wbile.' he an.
swered; II have something to say tOyou."
She knew what was coming, but kept her
compospre. Had she really been in love
with him il would have been different. She
would have shown some signs Of trepida
ton, for love In a woman will find expires.
sion In spite Of efforts TO conceal.
Vida" he said, bending his earnest eyes
on hers, you have guessed that you are
more than cousin TO me?"
Il have not of late dared to guess much
concerning you," she answered I'm low
tone.
''But you must have seen my devotion" !"
he said. 'Vida, have allowed love to
grow in my heart only for Il TO wither
again.
You forget, Kenard." she said after 0
pause, ''that our voices will not alone suffice.
Mr.. Moore and my dear aunt may probably
object to our loving each other. Indeed, ]
am sure they will"
II do not think ms you do" he rejoined;
"and Ii they are against us, II will not
change me-"
''You will risk much, Kenard."
"And gain much. my darling. Oh, Vida,
do not turn q deaf ear to me. l am nc
schoolboy asking a girl 10 love a..:, hei o
man pleading to woman for something
that Is dearer than life itself"
"Kenard," said Vida softly, Il do not
know that ought 10 make confession OF
what lies Ia my heart buff We're more
worthy
"More worthy. Vida? II is who am mn
worthy"
.No, Kenard, you would make the sacrL
fee" And then the lie came to her lips. y
do love sou, and Ii Is because have given
my heart to you that will not permit you
to be sacrificed"
''0h, Vida"
"fiear me out, Kenard. will accept your
proffered love on one condition."
'You have only to name II, Vida"
"It Is that you do not speak OF II a. pres
ent. We can be friends. and II In time yor
lind your heart unchanged, viii bs yoa'
wife, /.
Love Is impatient and never waits" he
answered.
love must he patient now'
"vida," he said, drawing nearer TO her,
r'let there be no hating measures with Ms
must know my fate 1t must be yea OF
nay with you."
''Of what would the yea avail with Us II
Mr.. Moore said naysp
'slt would sever him aud me, but not harm
you, Vida"
-Kenard, must say no. How could ]
ace my loving guardian. my truest friendy'
rs there no other wayr' he asked. ssyida.
know you love me and cannot rest with
ch an answer Why should W. not be
iIttd .retlyy'
mo. Kenard no.
1T is not so diiiieult have friend liv-
lg not twenty miles from here who would
.rform the ceremony at my bidding. We
ou.d ride out one morning. an0 come back