Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-03-25
A woNAs's Mask.

-es~-
before her.
There 1t Is. His loving epistle to Ruth.
have stolen it, and the poor little goose
wonders where she has lost 1t. Darling
reading the letter, Il will be with you on the
eve of ST. Valentine. must jus: look III ~
Briarwood but will be With you in time
for dinner. Oh. my dear little Ruth, how
long II seemsv
Vida sprang up and crushed the letter In
her hand
Il cannot read il" she moaned, 1T sets
my soul on fire. Oh, that be had written
thus 10 me. for love him-I love him-I
love him.
She clasped her hands together passion
ately, aud rocked to and fro for few mo-
mepts In silence. Then her passion broke
forth again.
what Is Ruth's love to mlneg' she asked.
"A tiny rlvulet, while mine Is the mountain
torrent. Where can his eyes be? Is Basil
Brandfeth blind and deaf when he Is near
me, that he should have passed NE by for
herr
Again her jealous fury was mastering her,
and the dangerous light flashing In her eyes,
but check came.
Somebody tapped lightly at the door.
Who is there?' Vida asked In tone so
soft that one previously listening would
have thought il was the voice OF another be-
Ing
1T is I-Rutl. May come iny'
'Of course you may, Birdie"
Softly and musically the leave to enter
fell from her lips, and the door opening ad-
mitted golden haired beauty Of nineteen,
her soft dress rustling as she came.
Though 50 unlike In feature, there was
something between the pair that told OF
findred blood.
They were cousins. indeed, and bore the
same hame--that Of the Moores OF Gordon
fells.
But Ruth was the daughter Of Abel Moore
living, and Vida the daughter Of Reginald
Moore, dead these eighteen years.
Fatherless and notherless, the latter had
been brought to the family seat at an early
age and II had been her home.
The Moores were an amiable family.
Abel Moore was q loving husband and
father, a generous landlord, and a thorough
gentleman, Mrs. Moore kind almost 20 weak
ness and Ruth favored with much OF her
mothers disposition.
Vida was also supposed 10 be Moore, for
the passionate nature that surged within
\ ter she had successfully concealed, even In
her girihood.
Here again was a nature inherited from q
mother, for Reginald Moore married a wo
man Of Spanish birth. woman of unbridled
passion. fiery daughter OF sunny Spain.
They were united abroad. and after brief
but stormy life together, she died la giving
birth TO Vida.
Neither Abel nor Mrs. Moore ever saw
her.
This much in needful introduction, and
now we will return to the society OF the
cousins, allied In blood, but widely apart In
nature.
What makes my little Birdie SO pale@'
asked Vida, taking Ruth's face between her
hands with gentle womanly tenderness
that assuredly was not all assumed.
'Basirs letter--I cannot find IT," replied
Ruth. 1T Is toe stupid Of me TO lose IT,"
You may find II by-and-by," said Vida
calmly. What matters about the letter, so
long as Basil himself is coming? To-mor.
row night, think?'
Tomorrow" said Ruth with dreamy
eyes, ''and he has been away whole year
so longl But he is not going again"
you could not bear 1t, Birdieg'
II think II would break my heart"
Hearts" said Vida with smile, ARE
not 80 easily broken"
You do not know, dearest" replied
Ruth, ''for you have never been In love-"
'.No, never In love-" calmly echoed Vida
''never, Birdie. There goes the gong; we
shall be last down, as usual"
She put her arm round Ruth's waist, still,
thus lovingly linked, they passed through
81 ekxe iA~r sh<h hrNa raG Gan fot N.
case--one of the show things Of Gordonfells
and entered the drawins-room.
Mr.. and Mrs. Moore were there, and the
former, looking at his watch, smiled and
said:
"Chattering together until the last mo-
ment-we have been here ten minutes ut
least. Barker Is late with the gong. He de-
lays IL for you girls
lie was "A fine portly man Of fifty, with q
handsome head. which, with the exception
OF his iron-grey hair, showed no ravages OF
time. Mrs. Moore was five years his junior
and would have passed for forty. She arose
as the cousins entered and surveyed them
with marked approval.
''what Is II that we heard at the theatre
about the two roses?' she said:
''ons like the roses whom juno and July meet,
Both 30 unlike and yet alike in this
You are two roscs."
Mr.. Moore laughlngly helped her line by
lire with the quotation, and Just as he finish.
Cd Barker the butler entered and announced
4ss.er Th~r~ wac no company that day,
and the husband gave his arm to Mrs. Moore
and led the way.
II have had letter from Kenard." said
Abel as the soup was passed round.
Vida and Ruth looked up-one with af.
fected and the other with real interest.
Dear old Kenard,' said Ruth, II hope lie
b coming home"
He will be here on the i0th. rejoined
the baronet, ''and think we had better have
party to meet hlm--no wine ct present.
Barker, thank you--and must leave II 10
you girls 70 say who We shall have"
Kenard was Abel's only son, two years
older than Ruth, and, Of course, heir 10 the
title and estates. Having been In somewhat
delicate health the doctors suggested his 60.
ing abroad, and he had been away six
months, Knocking about the Continent" /"
as our young men say
His health" said Mrs. Moore, lis much
improved. He will make strong man yet"
Il never had any doubt Of IT," said Vida
quietly. sic has little too much mind,
that's all" --
Il suppose he Is clever" said Abel.
ssHe II shrewder than &ly Of the men Of
his age we know" said Vida.
1T II q case OF mutual admiration" said
Mrs. Moore 'Kenafd used 10 say that you
have too much brain for woman
ssIiis way OF dealing blow 70 Tho sex
generally" !" remarked Ruth. well, sup
pose or strength lies In our weakness.p
..Wonsen are 1t . disadvantage every
way said Vida. Men make our lava
give rs our position, and settle thst they
| shall take the lead In everything
| somebody must lead. hinted Mr.. Moore
| sAand do hops. my dear Vida that ron ars
| not going b for wonen's rights and thai
| sovt q thing,"