Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-29

Kenard wrote to Vida double letters, one
of which she could show to Ruth and the
other keep for herself.
With bitter contempt, Vida read the out
pourings OF his ingenious heart.
THE love Of man wasted, she said. 1T
Is nothing to me: why should 10 be go? Basil
saw nothing in me, Kenard everything, and
must love the man who loves me not. IL
Is the way OF woman's life."
IL was late in November when one day
there came another letter for Ruth. directed
in a disguised hand as before.
Ii was from Basil, and written much In
the same terms as the last.
She was to wait and hope, and believe In
him. and he would soon be with her.
my letters" he wrote, 'are posted for
me, far away from where am, and, IL may
be, near home Sometimes the horrible
thought comes over Inc that they are not
sent at all, but cannot think that those
trust can be so base.
''Oh, Ruth, Ruth, my darling, your image
IL ever before me by day and In my dreams
at night. pray that time may speed away
and bring me to you.
OF course she showed this TO Vida, and
put her anew upon the rack.
All doubts were dispelled; Basil was
alive, and so far all her SHINING had been
fruitless.
She smiled on Ruth, and congratulated
her, but when alone she raved and sobbed
In the agony of mad passion, and the Bit
terness OF her heart increased.
II would kill both" she groaned, ''but
that would be too kind. One shall live and
suffer-"
December was we'll advanced, and the
shortest day was at hand, when startling
news came TO GordOnfells.
1t seemed that the old sexton found one
OF the ropes Of his bells wrong, and went up
% the belfry TO see what was the matter.
He ascended at night with a lantern, and
stumbled over the decaying body of Bar
dolpa.
In a frenzy Of terror he staggered down
the stairs, and to the village with the horri-
bic news. In half an hour all the grown in
habitants were OH the spot, and Mr. Moore,
with policeman, keeping order among the
excited throng.
1t was no pleasant task TO inspect the
body of the dead man, but II was done, and
the ghastly remains were laid upon hurdle
in the cold moonlight.
III know who it is, Mr.. Moore" said the
policeman, after closely scanning the face !;
tits one of the gypsy lot; he called himself
Bardolph Dmsey, and used TO brag about
his being a born gentleman"
Poor fellowW said Mr. Moore; Ill mat.
tiers little now what he was. He will never
brag again."
1t was impossible for them to correctly
estimate how long he had lain there, but the
doctor said 1t was three months at least,
perhaps more, and 1t was the medical mans
opinion that he had been murdered In the
bclfry.
He looks as IL he had fallen and died
there" he said; 'there are no signs of his
being dragged or carried about after death" F"
This opinion went far TO turn suspicion
from the first direction 1t took, and 10 ex.
onerate the gipsies from any share in the
crime.
1T would have been easier for them, .
said the inspector when he came shortly
after en- the scene, 'to have settled him in
the wood, and buried him there"
When the news reached Gordonfells il
caused vast amount of commotion among
the domestics. Phoebe was so far overcome
as 10 faint away, and when they brouynl
her round she went about her duties white
and silent.
NntutNci Sut Hict ihd Slc cuuuucItu,
and stood aside, and the look Of having
something TO say but not daring to say IL
grew upon her face.
! Vida could not but notice the aversion OF
( the girl, and felt that it was thing that
must be dealt with promptly. Accordingly
she seized the first opportunity to speak tc
her alone. Finding her in Ruths room,
when Ruth was out, she went quietly in and
closed the door.
! with you lately? Whenever l come near
/ you am subject to your rudeness. You
I turn away from me as if l were some re'
( pulSiys stranger