The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-10-27

IL have been a long while anxious to
make your acquaintance" said Judith in
her good French as we slowly walked to-
ward the party. II have heard SO much
about you from Mr.. Gordon-so much that
If were not quite sure of his constancy
might feel jealous"
could not find a word 10 sey In reply to
this advance-not one l was not yet an
adept in hypocrisy, and my tongue obsti-
nately refused TO make any profession Of
friendship for this girl, whose happiness
might be turned to misery by my act.
Judith spoke to me again. was intro
duced to Mr.. and Mrs Charles Kavanagh,
but what was said, how behaved, is lost to
me now like the incidents OF a long past
dream. Ionly remember looking at Judith
Bell. fascinated by her prettiness and pic
turing the change in that bright face which
would come il Gordon fell.
Imust have appeared incomprehensibly
odd and i'll hammered or exceedingly stupid
to her and the Kavanaghs, for after a vain
attempt to engage me in conversation they
abandoned me to Gordon, who. gauging my
feelings by his own. stuck TO me Loyalty.
The strangeness of my behavior did not es-
cape the notice of Taras. More than once
on our way home found him regarding me
with curious interest from his corner in the
compartment, and in saying good night"
there was a coldness in his voice and man.
ner that chilled my heart.
He must have thought Gordon guilty of
Inconsistency to Judith Bell and suspected
me of being party to his treachery.
"what does it matteri" exclaimed "a I
threw myself on my bed. IF Taras is saved,
that is everything. would sacrifice myself
and the whole world for him."
expected to see Gordon that morning,
but he did not come. While we were at
lunch clerk came around from the pottery
to ask il he was with us, showing that he
had not put In an appearance there. Taras
made no comment, but l saw him glance
at me as the inquiry was being made. l
kept my eyes down that l might not be-
tray what was in my mind. There was
significance in Gordon's absence which was
obvious enough TO me. Kavanagh had
warn him to hold himself in readiness,
and he was staying at his chambers for the
call which was now certain would soon
be made.
Nothing occurred during the forenoon,
but we had scarcely finished dinner when
Kavanagh's light knock at the door caused
my heart to leap. The next minute he en-
tered the room. His hands were gloved
i sat in choking suspense as, in compli-
ance with Taras' invitation, he seated him
self and slowly unbuttoned his gloves, talk
ing airily about some topic of the day as he
leaned back in his chair, one leg crossed upon
his knee and his elbows resting on the arms
of the chair, so as to place his haEds well in
my view He slowly drew off, the left glove.
The ring was not on the finger of that hand
mot where he was to have worn IL il moth
ing could be done. But waited for more
decisive proof, the signal which was to bid
the act.
Slowly he drew the glove from his right
hand. The ring was on that finger, and as
he nicely folded the gloves on his knee, pass
Ing the hand with the glittering ring over
them, he cast swift glance at me to make
sure that the signal was understood.
Con irued Tomorrow