Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-22
and wife. You must not say no.,

man ana wife. You must not say no."
But she held back. 1t was part Of her
programme TO Do so, and when be clasped
her In his arms, and the last words of ap-
peal fell from his lips, she whispered:
Tomorrow will answer you"
'Why not now" he urged.
'It is not long to wait" she replied, ''and
II must be tomorrow"
He still pleaded, but she was firm.
Had love not blinded him, he mus. have
read her tien, but he saw nothing before
him but purc-minded. loving, beautiful
woman, restrained by maidenly modesty
from yielding to him at once.
And I'm the answer Tomorrow" he read
promise, and was at length satisfied.
They fingered long among the rushes, and
II was Vida who suggested tIat time had
flown swiftly, and that the luncheon-hour
had arrived.
For my sake" she urged, "iet US CO."
Then he took the oars again and pulled to
the shore.
Ere they reached GordonfelIs the lunch
eon-gong was sounding
II told YOU" she said with an arch glance
at him. II fear II we are not more prudent
any confession on our part will be super
fluous."
AT the hall-door they met Phoebe, who
curtsied, and said she was coming to see II
they were In the grounds as luncheon was
ready.
She took Vida's hat and light shawl, and
with visible trepldation turned and went
upstairs.
What Is the matter with that girlg' said
kenard: "she does not look we'll"
"Ph9be Is a strange being" replied Vida,
"and rather given to troubling herself about
other peoples affairs. She may have been
watching u.s."
I'm that case, you had better speak to
Ruth"
NO; think we will leave her alone--for
the present"
Their heightened absence excited no com
ment except few words from Mr. Moore,
who said he liked punctualty, and they sat
down, keeping their secret we'll
The afternoon they spent with Rath, and
at all early hour Vida went up to dress.
Phoebe was in her room, now most un.
usual thing and busy with something on
the toilet-tabfe.
Vida took a chair without speaking, and
waited for her TO go, but she moved slowly
about, and made no offer to leave.
"PhGbe," said Vida sharply, II shall not
want you to-day"
Very well, miss" i.
Still she did not go, but stood like one ir.
resolute Vida's face flushed with anger.
Have you grown stupid?" she asked.
No. miss" said Phoebe, facing about,
TIN as sensible as usually am, but I've
something to say, and don't know how to
say 1t"
She was trembling, but under her nervous
ness there lay the courage to go through
with what she had In hand. Vida stared at
her with growing coldness upon her heart.
ITS Mr.. Kenard wish to speak about"
said Phoebe. He's In love with you, miss" !"
How dare you speak TO me OF such a
thing| demanded Vida, springing TO her
feet with the look of an infuriated tigress.
Il dare, miss" returned Phoebe, each mo-
ment growing bolder, because / am In the
right. Everybody Is blind BIZ. me, and ]
can't see him led away by you"
And you--yOu-iow-bred wretch" said
Vida, white hot with passion, "you dare TO
speak thus TO me?'
Yes, miss, because I can't see Mr.. Ken
ard led 10 ruin" said Phoebe firmly, ''and
although don't wish to utter any threats,
beg to say that IL you don't spare Mr.. Ken
ard that will 90 to Mr.. Moore with what I
know; and think you had better heed me,
/ do indeed, miss"
Vida looked at her, and saw the resolution
In the simple girls eyes. 1t made her quail,
and she was none the less afraid of her be-
cause she could only guess at the extent OF
the information she possessed.
Phoebe" she said, with violent effort.
"hayc ever been your enemyp'
81 \ l-Nn DT (.
why, then. are You mine?'
I'm not your enemy, miss, and IL may
be so bold, I'd say that you've not an enemy
In the world like yourself. I'm sure it's not
for me 10 wish 10 harm YOU"
II believe you are good girl" said Vida:
''but have not been so kind to you as
ought TO have been. have a silk dress here
that Is no good to me-"
"rhanky, miss" said Ph9be but don't
want II. Miss Ruth gives Inc plenty.n
But there are so many uses you can put
1T to-"
mo, miss, Ill not take it," said Phoebe,
and with another euftsy left the room.
Vida remained standing, looking after her.
The danger fully revealed to her was ap-
pailing, If not quite unexpected.
What did this girl know? Was she In the
NiiOic VI utCdu SctiCt, VI Oilly or
il, or had she only guessed that something
was wrong?
Vida could only surmise, and dare not
ask. But the fact remained that here was
peril from source she had not dreamt Of, q
peril that threatened her liberty and almost
her life.
And she must pocket her ambition to be
Mrs. Moore, and give up Kenard, too. This
was CALLING, and this giving up was not all
on her side. kenard might not he pliable.
lie might hold her to her word, which was
already given in lovers sense.
All round the horizon was troubled. She
had been sleeping unconscious of volcanic
fires beneath her, and the first rumblings Of
the approaching storm and wreck came
when the sun OF her life was bright, and all
SO fair before her.