Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-01
Her Rivals Valentine.
CHAPTER rrr.
VIM Ell III.
HIS SHARE or Tur co,,p1 y.

CHAPTER Iff.
HIS SHARE or THE COMPACT.
Vida went back by the way she came. and
mad got no farther than the border OF the
WOOD when, to her secretterror and dismay,
she met Abel Moore.
lie was usually dressed with remarkable
neatness early or late but now there were
Signs Oh hurried toilet, In an imperfectly
tied scarf end an overcoat buttoned awry.
ne wore no gloves, and carried a heavy
ridlng-whlp In his hand.
why, dearest Vida," he exclaimed i'm aa
agitaied tone Il am rejoiced TO find you
safe"
"SafeV she repeated with forced smile;
Il have never been In danger"
mot that you know Of" he rejoined. "but
you have had some fellow d0ggiDg you as
you walked. could see him from the win
dow Of my dressing-room in The north tow
er."
II have seen no one" she stammered,
appalled, at the danger Of discovery that had
been only just ayerted.
lie mistook the nature Of her agitation,
and taking her hand drew II through his
arm.
You must not be out so early alone" he
said, "and, perhaps, after all, I have need
iessly alarmed myself
1T may have been fancy" Vida suggest
| ed.
No, saw The fellow clearly enough"
ibid you recongnise him, uncleg'
No, my dear, but | thought he looked
like gipsy"
And as he spoke her lips burned with the
memory of the yagabond Bard0lph's kiss as
u would have done with the atter-pain OF
q wasp's sting.
"Well, ] am safe" she said with faint
smile, but am very sorry 10 have brought
! you out in the chill damp OF the early morn.
ing"
why, dear child, / am not made of paste
board, but as yon say, II Is chilly, and we
must hasten back"
AT the haii-door they met Ruth, attired
for walk and coming to meet her cousin.
How pure and fresh her beauty vast Like
newly blown rose, rich and radiant In tbs
morning light.
Ny dear father" she exclaimed, ''you out
walking tooY'
II have been a little way to meet Vida"
he answered, as ne touched her cheek with
his lips.
She turned to Vida TO give her the aecus-
toned morning salute, but already 1t seem
ed To Vida that black barrier stood up be-
tween them, and she barely touched Ruth's
cheek In return.
II am nolonger Vida Moore, I" she thought,
but the fdncce OF gypsy vagabond."
She would fain Mt this moment have un-
done the work of the morning, but II was
already too late.
Bardolph was on his way 10 Carpingdean
with the letter aud there was no recalling
him. The rest OF his work he would do by
and-by, and there was but one way Of saw
Ing Basil Bfandreth, aud that was by open
confession.
No, that wcald never d0-the bitter work
must 60 OH to the end.
or all the days OF her young life, Vida
had never known Que like that which foi-
lowed.
1t was not pain. or sickness or fear, or re-
pentance that assailed her, but wild
watchfulness and soul WEAKNESS that was
inexpressibly horrible to bear.
II slept very little last night" she told
Ruth when she expressed some anxiety
about her health, 'aRd my head aches
think | shall spend the day quietly In my
room.'
"5hall read TO youg' Ruth asked.
Yes; read 90 me, Vida sad.
Vida lay upon her couch with the curtains
drawn 10 dim the light, and Ruth, choosing
'Evangeline. began To read that charming
story OF woman's pure faithful love.
1t Jared upon Vida's ears; she turned her
thoughts to Basil Brandreth.
She knew he was at Briarwood, spending
q few hours with his people, and burning
with impatlence to mount his horse and ride
10 his lady-Ioye.
In the depths OF her aching heart her an
guish boiled and bubbled like oil in cau!-
dTon.
IF he were burning 10 come TO me-" she
thought, how different my life would be -
What did you say, dearT Ruth asked.
Nothing" she replied. Il did not speak"
Il thought YOU did. Shall 20 on read
ing?"
no, thank you. | think il you leave me
now shall sleep. and If do not wake to
dress for dinner, do not disturb me.
But Basil is coming" said Ruth.
"ro see Soa,r replied Vida, smothering
some harsh words that rose to her lips. ~ on
will be good company enough without my
poor society. will join you at tea"
Ruth left, and as It was then four in the
afternoon Vida knew she would be disturb
Ell no more.
To guard against the possibility Of visl-
tor, she went 10 the door and locked It.
TO her couch she did not return, but sat
down by the fire and tried to warm her chill
ed hands and feet, which seemed to have
been turned to ice.
In vain. the life-blood would not return 10
diem, and, shiyering she arose and walked
about the room.
Every few minutes she looked at her
watch, and the time Jagged wearily.
MY lover with the tigers eyes will keep
ais word" she said. Basil viii! not be here
tonight But where and how will he stop
him"
She felt that Bardolph might be trusted,
out as the time for the arrival of Ruth's
lover drew near she became restless beyond
all endurance. One moment she would
have stopped the murderer-for Bardolph
could be nothing less than that to be sue
cessful-and the next moment she was ready
10 take share In the deadly work.
Now hot, now cold, she paced the room
until she could bear II no longer.
Il must go out" she thought; Il must
have air."
She took the fur-lined cloak she had worn
IN the morning aud wrapped il about her.
Just outside In the corridor there was
staircase seldom used, that led 10 small
| door In the north tower.
| Mr.. Moore used 1t occasionally for pri-
vate mode OF entrance or exit, but nobody
else ever went that way.
Opening the door OF the room softly she
listened. All was still without.
Now" she said, II can leave safely. II
Is the idle hour Of all at Gordonfells."
She locked her door quietly, and with
/ light step descended the staircase.
As she passed her uncle's room, she heard
him within humming tune.
IAN are merry here but me-" she ihoughi
bitterly.
The door below turned back on its hinges
| without noise, and she passed out, closing
! 1t gently behind her.
/ It was airvri, n,s;ts s..a &c s:cce ~.'
rising.
II will walk here" she said, and paced
| mp and down the terrace once.
| Then she was-lrawn bya mysterious pow
! ar that xyas irrasisfihIe towards the road by