Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-11-07
CHAPTER XLTII.

IL DlIH LEARNS The
On the following Sunday went again to
Working, rather because inactivity at West
Hackney was uncomfortable than from ex-
pectation of learning Judith $ decision that
day. 1t was not likely that she would go
up into the wood to give her answer to the
offer made there the week before, or that
accident would again favor me as it had
then. In this l was not undeceived. A
drilling rain fell all the afternoon, and
from the opening in the wood where l sat
shivering hour after hour saw no one in
the grounds below
staid the night at the ''Wheatsheaf,"
and from my little room in the front Of the
house l watched the road the next morning
until shortly after ., when the carriage
passed on its way to the station with Kav-
anagh and Colonel Bell. kavanagh had a
cigar in his lips and n magazine in his
hand, Indifferent to his companion, who
sat with his thin hands on the pommel of
lis stick and a Careworn, wistful look on
his poor old face.
l started off at once for the Grange.
Neither Taras Eor Judith was in the gar
den when looked down from the wood,
but when l reached the entrance gates and
looked through l perceived Judith in the
long walk strolling listlessly toward me,
her hands at her back and her eyes on the
ground, as if in meditation.
had made up my mind as to what l
should do on finding her alone, and SO,
hastily whipping off my veil and false hair,
pushed open the gate and entered.
At the sound of my step she raised her
head, but she continued to advance at the
same pace, for she had seen me but once
before, and then very differently dressed
and so did not at once recognize who was.
suddenly, however, as we drew near to
each other. she stopped and, drawing her.
self up proudly regarded me with such
sCorn and loathing i'll her white face as /
have never seen in another.
paused also, smitten with pity for her,
my heart aching in sympathy for the hui
initiation and sorrows she had suffered.
Then hurried ON to make sure that we
were alone before l spoke. AS passed her
she drew her skirt aside as if she feared
pollution by the mere contact of our dress,
and all the time she kept her eyes fixed
upon me, terrible with hatred and con-
tempt.
| went as far as the top of the walk, and
seeing neither Taras nor Mere Lucas l re-
turned to where Judith still stood as if,
reversing the fable of Galatea, hate had
transformed her to marble.
Il must speak to you; said i'll a low
voice as 1 approached her. Where are
Taras and Mere Lucas"
They are in the house, she answered
hoarsely. I will hear nothing that you
have tc say. If you are in need, 7 will
not help you; if you were dying would
not move step 10 save you. You have
crushed out all the goodness from my
heart. You have made me what ann
The tone of self abandonment and misery
in which these last three words were ut
tered belied her asserted heartlessness.
The goodness is not crushed from your
IT -
stronger than hate. know, for have suf-
fered too"
Il will not listen to you." she said vehe-
mently, turning to leave me.
Waltz l stepped before her, barring
the way. You must listen to me- and
seeing she was determined to pass by me
added, Il have message to give you from
George Gordon"
She hesitated for an instant; then, with n
gesture of refusal, she said Indignantly:
He is nothing to me. 1t is an insult to
speak to me of him. Let me pass"
He is all the world to you, and you are
all the world to him. See said, offering
the little packet poor George had given me
on the eve of my departure, 'he has sent
you this from Siberia
She would not take it from my hand;
but, looking at me as if she would pierce
my very soul to read the truth, she repeat
tone of incredulity.
tore open the paper and revealed his
signet ring, upon which he had tied an end
of pale blue ribbon-some treasured trifle
from her dress, which had its pretty story,
doubtless.
From Siberian she repeated, with an
accent of tender alarm, the color rising to
her pale cheek as she recognized the objects
that lay in my hand.
THE carriage is coming back, said,
catching the sound of wheels. Il must not
be seen here. Take me where can tell you
all unseen and unheard''
IF your intentions are honest, what need
is there of secrecy
The need of cheating one who is not
honest. What have you to fear from mes
Is it likely that 1 should come to insult
You or do you injury Come this way" i
added eagerly, stepping toward an alley
that turned from the drive as the sound of
the returning carriage suddenly became
more distinct.
She hesitated to comply.
What if refuse!" she said half aloud,
as if putting the question to herself
Then God forgive you, for the ruin of
the man who loves you may be your do
ing"
She followed me down the alley as the
carriage came in sight. A dozen PAGES
brought me to an arbor cut in the thick
yew hedge. l stepped quickly into the re-
cess, and Judith followed me. Irested my
self on one of the rustic stools, but Judith
stood before the little table that separated