Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-01

Lost, my dear child--nonsense."
"But he is" said Ruth, rising and holding
out her trembling hands. Il have feared II,
and know II now. Something has happen
ed TO him; he Is dead--he----v
And then she fell forward fainting In her
fathers arms.
Mrs. Moore and Vida came to her assist
ance, and the bell was rlng for Phnbe, her
maid.
A little cold water and some kindly care
restored Ruth to consciousness.
"How foolish OF me!' she said. But
was always weak silly child"
IL should recommend a little sleep" said
Mr. Moore. Ut Is ten o'clock. and Basil
will not be here till tomorrow"
Ruth assented, and retired TO her room,
accompanied by Mrs. Moore and Vida.
Then curious feeling Of disiaste for her
cousins society came over her. IL was most
unaccountable, she thought, and panied her,
but she could not resist its influence.
II do not think will trouble you to re-
main with me. Vida" she said.
1T Is no trouble" was the reply.
But do not remain, beg OF you. Mother
will keep with me-"
Vida did not insist upon remaining.
She was growing weary OF playing part
that required so much concentration, and
STOPPING down, she kissed Ruth ana bade
her goodnight.
Her salute was not returned.
Can she suspect me?' she thought, and
then she bade Mrs. Moore goodnight and
went wondering to her room.
Phebe followed. and asked IL she could
be Of any service. Vida, with some curtness,
bade her go, but the girl still remained.
Are you sure cannot do anything for
you, mssg' she asked.
Quite snre.' replied Vida.
you do look so pale and tired, miss, Just
az II you had been out for long irdlk and
hurried home"
Vida turned upon her quickly, almost
flercely.
What did you say?' she demanded.
Phoebe was a simple-lookjng country lass,
and stared at her In innocent surprise.
why nothing, MISS" she said; II only
said you looked as II you were tired"
The observation was needless return.
ed Vida; Il am not very tired, and do not
need any help"
Very well, miss"
With a courtesy Phoebe retired, and Vida
was left alone. She went TO the window,
pushed aside the curtain, and looked out.
Moonlight" she murmnred, and the
low-lying mists flying before the wind. The
Aeecy masses look like hurryiny spirits OF
the dead. Perhaps they are so, "she added,
shuddering; III so, Basips spirit may be
among them"
She had never been snperstitious, and a
week before would have laughed at the idea
OF seeing ghost, but now il seemed 10 her
rs II indeed the spectre OF Basil Brandreth
was floating about in the mists Of the night.
She sat down by the fire, and immediate
by 1t seemed as IL he had entered the room,
and was standing behind her chair, with his
sad reproaehful eyes bent upon her.
Ii required All effort for her 10 look round,
and OF course she saw nothing.
"Pshawr' she exclaimed, II am child"
Here the voice Of stableboy outside, cali
ing to another, broke the stiffness, and she
started as ifa voice of thunder had de-
nounced her as murderess, II am worse
than child"
She walked TO the toilet-tatle, and open
ed box filed with small cut-glass bottles.
Selecting one, she put IL to her lips, and
drank some of its coioriess contents.
1T Is the FOOLS refuge" she murmured,
"but must drown cowardice until all dam
ger is past. Now will go to sleep, and Tor.
get that there Is a morrow TO come and with
1t murderer for lover"