Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-12-29
together.


Taras had obviously returned for fe
his absence might alarm me. and his gent
companion, having accompanied him
far, had turned in to finish the night o,
last pipe. With little hesitation dr.
near the house. and hearing their voicr
the front room l quietly opened the front
door, entered, shut the door as silently
and then slipped unheard up to my room.
"I'm glad you didn't sit up for me last
night" said Taras when we met In the
morning ''Kavanagh dropped in with
some startling news from the house"-he
held some official post there-"and staid
out a couple of hours later than I in
tended"
Kavanagh called In the course Of the
afternoon. He asked II Taras was at home,
but instead Of going directly up to the
workshop he came In to see ma After ex-
changing the customary civilities In his or
binary tone Of voice he raised his finger
with significant glance, crossed the room
and opened the door softly, but with such
celebrity that had Mere Lucas been caves.
dropping he would certainly have discov-
cred her. He stood in a listening attitude
for . few seconds; then closing the door
noiselessly he returned to his seat with Q
shrug and look Of vexation In his face
Nothing has happened" he asked as he
seated himself near me-
'Nothing-to him"
ITO any one else" he asked sharply.
Nothing Of any importance.
"Mere Lucas betrayed no signs Of irritar
ton when he went out last night~
shook my head
"She was just the same as she always Is
Just II there had been any difference,
must have seen it."
"She did not 60 down stairs in the night,
You think"
AFTER Taras went up put my door wide
open and kept a light burning all night.
No one could pass my door without my
knowing it."
Your vigilance may have warned her.
On the other hand"- He broke off, and
nursing his knee sank his chin In his
hand. knitting his brows in thought. Sud
denly raising his head and turning to me,
he said:
II am afraid l must confess to having.
been fooled l am still more afraid that ]
have done Mere Lucas a great injustice.
You have a far better knowledge of her
character than I. Do you think her capa-
Bile of deceit and trickery-of conspiring at
the ruin of her master?"
mo. that don't believe she's as good
as any one"
Pm sincerely glad to hear you say 30. Il
seemed unlikely to me; that is why l felt
1t necessary to say nothing on the subject
to TaraS"
He'd never have believed you"
"That was another reason for saving
nothing till had absolute facts to support
my suspicion. You have not said word
to him or her either. hope. with respect to
my communication"
mo, not word. But how about that
friend you spoke OFF"
"Ahi there again / believe was all at
fault. / believe she is no more a conspira,
tor than poor old Mere Lucas herself. !
find she is a cook at q restaurant in Greek
street, and SO of course she is not at liberty
to come here and see Mere Lucas"
He looked terribly vexed as he admitted
this. do you know a man named Mat
veef" be asked abruptly
Il think I've heard the name. but don't
know him."
Hes one Of the poor beggars who come
TO sponge on Taras. 1t was he who put this
precious nonsense into my head. The fact