Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-04-16
! AVENGED AT LAST;
Or, a Worldwide Chase.
A STORY OF RETRIBUTION.
BY ~wABASH."
COPYRIGHT. 1901
CHAPTER xx.-CoNr1xuED.

These and similar thoughts crowded
e Percy's brain as they sailed through
the heavy mist hanging over the Mer-
sey to the Liverpool docks. Resting in
the great seaport but few hours, he
went direct to London. One might have
supposed that he would have sought the
home of his childhood; but that had
long lost all charm for him. He had
but one present purpose to fulfill; and
mount to all others.
after Mr.. limerick; yet. although at
times they were not much more than
arms length apart, they never con-
1ronted each other in the crowded
streams of human life which surged up
and down the city's streets.
Mrs. Delaro and Armida also returned
to London about the same time.
Eugene Breezy lost no time in calling
on them, and they expressed much de-
light at seeing him; while he, on his
part, was overjoyed beyond measure,
and seemed SO pleased that he acted al
most foolishly. He at once made him
self exceedingly familiar and insisted
on accompanying the ladies everywhere
they went
Finding that he would have no oppor-
tunity of speaking to Armida in private
while in the busy. noisy city, amid the
incessant din of business, pleasure
seekers and callers, Eugene invited her
to take trip with him as far as Rich
mond.
This beautiful spot was looking its
best. In true English fashion they
went to the ''Star and Garter" the most
fashionable hotel in the place, and par
f0OIy Of Ton to %ha no1
manner, with cold meats, chickens,
salads, swatercresses, etc.
Afterwards they walked up the hill to
the park, and there, while sitting on
the grass in a place where they could
obtain fine view of that exquisite bit
OF valley scenery, they commenced to
talk.
Armida seemed as though she could
not take her eyes from the sight which
lay before her. It was not rugged or
romantic, such as Armida bad known in
her own country-it was purely English
"a grassy valley along which flowed
the Thames, hemmed in by sloping hill
sides covered with parks and ancient
forests. She thought it was the most
pleasing and enhancing sight she had
ever beheld. AS far as tho eye could
reach the waters of the Thames could
be seen winding through the valley
like silver ribbon. On the sides of the
quiet river the hillsides were covered
with 1uxuriant foliage of the brightest
hues, and the surface of the river was
necked with little pleasure craft, whose
gay-colored canopies added to the bright
ness, ii not the grandeur, of the scene.
Now and then a few bars of sprightly
catch or glee would be waited upon the
10 H., IL
on the water below. Eugene allowed
Armida to revel in the exceptional
beauty of the scene for a time and then
approached gently the subject nearest
his heart. He did it clumsily enough but
with the utmost confidence that he
would be successful in his suit.
''Miss Delaro," he said, hesitatingly,
81 have brought you here to tell you
something"
Armida looked at him quizzingly. and
said: sit must be something of a very
important nature if you found it neces-
sary to bring me all the way here for
the purpose of telling me-"
Eyes, it is. indeed. I wanted to tell
you that love you," he said.
These were probably the very last
words which Armida would have ex-
pected to hear from his lips. and all at
once she recognized that she had acted
unwisely. In the next few seconds she
accused herself Of numberless unwise
actions to which she had never given
fought before. She blamed herself for
leading this young man on to such an
extent and in a moment bitterly repent
ed that she had not acted with more
discretion. All these thoughts were
chasing each other with frightful rapid
ity through her mind, and she was try
ing to formulate reply when Eugene
spoke again:
''May 1 ever hope for some return of
my passion?" he asked. Still Armida
could not answer, though she knew that
Eugene would in few seconds misin-
terpret her meaning for silent consent
If she did not speak.
At last, with an effort, she gathered
her senses and replied: Eugene, you
have made a great mistake; such a
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