Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-12-15
CHAPTER Mi.

In my room there was table with an
empty drawer which fastened with key.
1t is half full of rubbish-odds and ends of
all sorts secreted there as souvenirs of
those early days when / was incapable of
keeping any other kind of diary. They
have served their purpose. There is not
a scrap which fails to recall the very
sentiment Of the moment when l laid it
away, and it would be easy for me to COM
pile minute record of my life in Lambeth
from them alone. a few of these trifles
will suffice to indicate the course Of events
during the early months of my new life
Here at the very bottom are three penny
novelties, bought for the illustrations on
the cover. which alone were Ineligible to
me. In one Lady Ermyntrude overhears
the conspiracy" and is represented listen
Ing, with horror on her face, at a half
opened door; in another "Gwendoline de-
nounces the baronet," who is quailing in
terror before her outstretched finger, and in
the third Berry, says 'Dier and shoots the
villain"-and a most unmistakable villain
he is-"through the heart" Those pictures
fascinated me. The heroines were all tall
and beautiful, and couple of them were in
evening dress put myself in their place.
The ladylike accomplishment of caves
dropping l had already practiced. l had
only 20 unmaSk the secret enemy of Taras
and shoot him through the heart to be per
fectly satisfied. And the means seemed al
most within my reach. The revolver had
not been removed from my room. For weeks
| carried that dangerous and rather cum
brous weapon in my dress pocket. l smile
now at my simplicity, but my purpose was
NO laughing matter then; was in terrible
earnest.
A long claspknife marks the day when !
thought might dispense with part of my
portable armory which knocked against
my knee whenever / moved about. The
complete absence Of fear shown by Taras
and the mild manner and innocent look of
all his visitors had greatly Gained my ap-
prehensions, and in addition to this a
wider intelligence showed ME that the hand
counted for less than the brain in coping
with the subtle enemy Of Taras.
One night Taras took me to the West
minister Music hall. Here is the programme
Of the spectacles which constituted two
thirds of the entertainment. l had never
before been inside a theater, and when
stood in the stalls and looked round and
above me was quite overcome with aston
ishment at the vastness and brilliancy Of
the house.
II should think this is the grandest place
In all the world" said in a lowered voice
to Taras.
A little farther on there is another pro-
gramme. showing that soon after we went
to the Lyceum theater. The play made less
impression on my mind. could not un-
derstand it all. My intelligence was not
yet sufficiently expanded to comprehend the
higher art, and perhaps this was why Taras
took ME first to the music hall. Still that
evenings experience was delightful. and
the long talks it led to afterward opened
quite a new field of ideas.
Very different emotions are recalled by
this handkerchief, torn and shredded in a
passion Of furious jealousy. l must have
used my teeth to rend it in this way. It
was that evening when George Gordon
dropped in after dinner and Kavanagh.
with couple Of friends. came in after. As
usual when a visitor called, went up to
my room to avoid unpleasantness, for had
stuck scrupulously to my determination to
speak English only to Taras, and ! was
only just beginning to make myself under
stood in French to Mere Lucas The men
staid and played cards until in the morn
ing, and sat on the stairs listening to the
sounds that came from below, with ven-
omous jealousy ranking in my breast, the
cold sweat Of rage beading my lips and
brow. when the jovial voice and hearty
laugh Of Taras reached my ear.