Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-05-13
Her Rivals Valentine.


no, unless lac is prepared to give me the
explanation crave, Mr.. Moore"
Il am afraid he is not at liberty to do
that"
"Then must wait until tomorrow"
And not until the next day."
"No, Mr.. Moore, dare not.''
lie rose up, and bowling, asked IL Mr..
Moore had anything 10 ask him more. On
receiving an answer in the negative he took
his leave.
As he was walking through the hall on
his way ont lie met Phnbe, and being sus-
rs refined form. he stopped to exchange
few words with her.
Fine day, miss" he said.
Every fine, SIR replied Phoebe.
Good news this about Mr.. Basil Bran
dreth."
Probe smiled.
VERY good news" she said.
"And rather unexpected too. Curious
thing his going away, anyhow"
'IIe didn't 60" said PhGbe, "he was
taken away"
"Oh, indeed" returned the inspector. II
should like 10 know who took him."
No doubt you would said Phmbe pertly;
"but you won't-at least, not from me-"
Come now," said the inspector, 'let US,
be friends, and have little chat together.
I've got a wife at home, but she's ailing.
and can't be long for this world. l shall
want number two one day"
A nd II yon do, what them? asked
Php5e.
"Why, should come to Gordonfells for
her." he answered.
Would you, indeeds' said Ph9be, with
D mocking curtsy; but wouldn't that be a
waste Of time. Nobody here would allow
you to throw yourself away"
I'VE will see when the time comes. Now
Just tell me IL you know anything Of Mr..
Brandreth."
"Of course do!'
"He was fond OF gypsy company, wasn't
hep
Goodness gracious, no.' exclaimed Phe-
be-. What nonsense YOU are talking"
But you have seen him talking 10 gypsy
girl; come now, haven't your
NO" said Ph9be 'and I'm afraid that
Mr. Moore has been giving YOU wine. or you
would not talk such rubbish. So will bid
ven good day"
The inspector went off more puzzled than
ever. He was cropping about in the dark,
| and had no idea which way to face so "a to
get ont OF the mystery. But as he said, duty
was duty, and with regard to Basil his course
| was clear.
] A. the whole country had rung with the
story of the mysterious murder in the bel
! fry. an calculation of the affair would be or
material professional service 10 him. Apart.
therefore. from the sense of duty, he had
his own interest at his back 10 urge him on.
OF course Mr. Moore did not keep the in
teryiew a secret. lie saw no reason for do
Ing SO, and Mr.. Brandreth was soon after
made acquainted with what had passed. lie
laughed at the idea Of Basil being guilty OF
the gipsy's death. and Mrs. Moore smiled
OF IL; but they were one and all uneasy.
There was still 50 much OF the mysterious
attached to Basil's story.
Vida was admitted by Mr.. Moore to the
discussion which followed and only Ruth
/ KEEP; in Ignorance OF what had passed.
she has suffered too much already, said
Mrs. Moore, ''and il would be cruel to antici-
pate farther eyil.'
! Vida earnestly a1vocat Il Baslrs inno-
ccnce. and succeeded in al!ayng Mr. Bran
dreth's suspicion OF herself, il indeed he en-
TRAINED any. She also suggested some
thing that was at least very reasonable.
u think she said, that the fellow must
have been making love to some girl, and,
having betrayed her. paid the penalty OF
his falsehood with his life"
III never thought of that said Mr.. Moore.
Nor t. said Mr.. I|raEdreth, land IL does
not appear TO have suggested Itself 10 our
friend the inspector"
Mrs. Moore quietly said
"Our rustic lnaidcns are not given to as
sassinate their false lovers. They may weep
and 20 to the extent of taking their own
| lives in the nearest pool, but they have
neither the brains nor the resolution TO
ayenge themselves in the manner suggested
by Vida"
1T may not have been rustic maiden,"
said Mr. Brandre.h
"Wh0 else would listen to that class OF
yagabond"' said Vida contamptuously, but
she was white with su .dea fear, and her
voice had lost half the music of It's tone.
| Mr.. Brandre;h again looked at her with
curious earnestness, and with puzzled air.
He was like a man with problem before
| him, OF which he knew not even the direc-
| ton OF the answer.
The change In Vida was noticed also by
Mrs. Moore, and when she had withdrawn
| from the little circle and retired. she said: (:
| Vida has not been well for some time
| past; wonder what ails her?'
II have noticed il also," replied Mr..
I Moore, but women Of her age are change
able. II Is the unsettled era OF their exist
eDce."
| And so the subject was dismissed.
| The morning OF the thirteenth Of February
broke unpropitiously. There was heavy
\ murky sky above. and q mist below upon
| the EARTH The little wind that rustled the
! buildings trees was raw and chill.
| Among the first TO be moving was PE9be,
and it was evident by Ecr heavy eyes and
! feyer.sl air that she had passed restless
night. The corridor was still wrapped In
gloom when she crept 10 Ruth's door.
| Listening intently she could just hear the
soft breathing OF the sleeper, and clasped
her hands In thank fuiness. For days she
had been haunted with the belief that Vida
would In some way attempt to take the life
Of her young mistress.
| Long before the usual hour she quietly
entered Rnth's room, and without disturb
! Ing her proceeded to dust and arrange ii.
| Rutl, awoke earlier than usual. and for
the first time during her long trial showed
nervousness
She had borne up bravely through suffer-
Ing. but NOW that JOY was near at hand she
was in danger Of breaking down.
won't you come for walk, miss" said
PlGbc; 'it's not so fine as Ii might be, but
the air will do you good"
mot until after breakfast" replied Ruth.
"And when you 20, miss. may l attend
upon your
II do not think that I shall need you,
| PhGbe.n
1T Is fancy Of mine, miss" urged the
girl. Now that Mr. Basil Is coming back
I feel rs II / was going to part fro,A you,
and you have been 50 kind to me-"
"Nonsense, Pleoe." said Ruth, smiling;
Il am not going to part with You, and IL !
| have been good mistress you have fully
deserved all you have received from me and
MORE
Its kind Of you to say SO. miss, aid I'll
ask 1t as favor that You will keep me by
you II you go out to-day"
VERY well, Ph@5e." said Ruth.
| Vida appeared shortly after, and seemed
TO DO In the highest spirits. She rallied
ku,n on her pale cheeks.
"Fie upon you 10 keep awake, she salu;
ssand 80 rob your cheeks OF their rosess
Basil will scarcely know you-"
Il shall be better soon" replied kutn.
The feeling OF agitation was not conhne"
70 her; Il peryaded the whole househo'u'
\ s.,,,, NJ. Af.,cvo to the servants.