Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-08

4 "Why, where the deuce should he beg'
said Mr.. Brandreth, raising his eyebrows;
"he rode over last might
I'VE have not seen him." said Mr.. Moore.
mot seen himp
'No, Brandreth. Poor Ruth was watch
Ing for him all last evening, and not q
glimpse of Basil did we get"
Come" said Hugh Brandreth. palng q
little, ''don't Jest with me. You know how
dear 10 me Basil is"
''BFandreth, Oh my wcrd of honor he has
not been near Gordonfels," said Mr.. Moore
earnestly.
"He left Briarwood about five o'clock,
and ought to have been here by six" said
Mr.. Brandreth; 'on my word don't rr!er-
stand It,"
mo mole do I. But we won't alarm our
selves Just yet, Brandreth. Come into the
library, anc we will see what we can make
of it,"
They could make nothing Of 1t, and In a
few minutes, Mr.. Brandreth with a color
less face was riding for the police TO come
and see what they could do.
Ere he came back all at Gordonfells knew
that Basil was missing; but Ruth still he'd
her letter close, and Vida dared not speak
of II.
Better that they should think that he Is
dead" thought Ruth, than know that he Is
false. Oh, Basil Basil! cruel AS you have
been, your honor Is safe with me-"
All day long the police, accompanied by
Mr.. Moore and Mr.. Brandreth. went about
making inquiries. and obtained no clue.
Some OF the villagers had heard horse go
through the village about half-past five
o'clock, but none lad looked out to see who
the rider was. He was as clean gone as II
he had been spirited away.
What Is your opinion% asked Mr.. Moore
of the inspector who had charge Of the in
quiries.
II think the yoang gentleman Is alive
somewhere" was the reply.
"Yes, and you think something more."
II do not believe that he came near Cor
donfells."
Just my opinion" said Mr.. Moore. Il
think, Brandreth, that Basil is playing some
youthful prank"
NO, no." replied the sosrOwing father;
Basil was not sucn fool. Foul play has
taken my noble boy from me-"
The inspector shrugged his shoulders.
II don't wish IT, disagree with you, Mr.
Brandreth," he said, but men In our line
come across many mysterious disappear
ances that are nor at all mysterious"
What do you nean"
"Young gentlemen get into debt
"My son does Lot owe shilling"
"or they fall IN love with parties that
their friends object 10, and steal of with
them"
Enough r. said Mr.. Brandreth. "rll hear
no more. You take professional view OF
my sons disappearance; but l have faith
er's instinct to guide me- which Is some
thing better and surer than your experience.
My son has met with foul play, l tell you,
and will fathom 1t. Woe to them who have
injured him. and should he be dead, by
Heavens I'll have such revenge that all
the land shall ring with the story!'
And, putting spurs To his horse, he RODE
away without another word, simply motion
Ing with his hand an adieu to Abel.
Mr.. Moore iode slowly home, wonder
Ing how he should break the news TO Ruth,
ana what theory ne should sdop. 10 account
for Basi!'s absence. Mrs. Moore was walt
ing for him, and on that head she set his
mind at rest.
Ruth has been speaking to me about
BASIL" she said; ''she desires that he may
not be spoken OF in her presence"
"A wise end prudent suggestion, SAID
Abel; lit is better that he should he forgot
ten."
'As one dead" said Mrs. Moore.
But not dead" returned Abel. II see
you think as The officers and do. Bran
dreth insists that he has met with foul play ;
but that's al, nonsense"
You and Basil are the only two men l
ever believed in," said his wife; ''and Basil
has deceived me, 50 have only you left to
place my faith upon"
And think you may trust me" replied
her husband. but, surely you do not douo'
Kenard."
4 He Is Ray sou; and what mother, 49,
OF the nsyus~~~s-~r>'u~sune<s~ <s~eswSSnc nch
lsvsssIng 81 doubt or faith. woman does
not include her children
Il wonder what Kenard will sayg' said
Mr.. Moore, musing.
what he says matters little," said Mrs.
Moore; IL fear what he will do. Ii ever he
meets Basil he will shoot him like dog.
kenard loves Ruth dearly"