Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-04-15
va. . ,a,s.hood she had nleaded nothing


nor named her journey; ''and IL l were seen
with YOU, what would be sald?"
who can say anything" he asked.
"Mr. Moore, for instance. See thererf
She pointed through the narrow slit, and
Bardolph turned round expecting 10 see her
/ uncle without The moment his back
was to her she swiftly drew her hand from
under her cloak.
The white tapered fingers clasped the
| jeweled hit OF the dagger, and with fierce
nervous force she drove home the glitterins
/ blade.
A sharp cry rang from his lips, and stag
4 geiing forward, he fell against the stone
! wall
"A blow for every kiss you gave me, she
hissed, and again the weapon was driven
home.
! Blind with pain and terror he fell, his
hands fruitlessly seeking something to grasp
! on the wall. When on the floor he rolled
over, and lay upon his back helpless and
dying.
You hagr he hissed.
/ you hound" she answered, Ito think
that ever should be a ,0ife to you! A blow
I for every kiss, sayr'
! He raised his arms feebly to ward of the
( blow, but with unerring aim she thrust the
dagger into his breast.
Z ''The curse OF dying man cling to you, =
( he said In tone that was like the hiss OF
/ . serpent.
! These we're his last words. A dreadful
| pall0r oyerspread his face: he made an ey
! fort to raise himself, fell back heavily, aIft
( lay still.
/ Vida stood beside him for minute or sd
waiting for some sign OF life, and seeing
none knelt down and scanned his face close
! ly. Then she put her hand upon his heart,
and found no beating there.
Dead" she said softly.
Rising, she glanced round the chamber,
and, as II appealing to an invisible specta'
tor, said:
"He sought death, and he has found It
Am / TO blame@'
| Calm and resolute she wiped the dagger
or tho lapel OF the dead mans coat, and
I backed slowly TO the door. She could not
! turn her back upon him. A fear that she
knew was foolish, but not to be put aside,
led her TO keep her face to him TO the last.
In the doorway she paused again. and
waited to see II there was the least futter.
ing Of life.
1
Of Bardolph Dlmsey had been rudely sever.
ed from its tenement Of clay, and he would
! sin on earth no more.
! With marvellous composure she descend
/ ed the dark staircase and entered the church
( yard, where she paused for time to read
Z the tombstones that told so much OF the vir.
/ tues Of men unreeognised while they lived.
! Once she was induced to look up at the
/ tower, half fearing TO see the face Of Bar.
/ dolph at the easement II was her only mo-
ment of real weakness through the whole
dark business, and she shook it OF as quick.
! ly as it came.
An hour later she was at luncheon with
I her friends at Gordonfells.
There was an addition 10 the family circle.
1 Kenard had come home, and he and Vida
were very great friends. He was amazed
/ and troubled at the mysterious disappear.
ance Of Basil, but the sorrow was not so
deep that 1t prevented him from chatting
/ gaily with his old playmate.
J And Vida had never been in better spirits
In her life, and her laughter was like peal
( of silver bells.
1 1t was strange that she could be merry,
! but then, you see, she had rid herself Of q
/ gr.sa burden, and ali went well with her.
( Vas not Basil dead and buried. the gipsies
gone, and her tool, wicked Bardo,ph Dim
sey, lying still in place that might not be
/ visited for years to come?
! And even suppose he were discovered,
who would suspect her?
/ The fight Of the gipsies would fasten the
deed upon them, and who would believe
any mad story they chose to tell?
I Yes, all went WELL and ii was good time
I 10 be merry. Therefore she laughed, and
iested and fiirted with Kenard, and they
had very pleasant time together.
ITO be Continued