Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-12-24

ing the viola IN that room. A low, sad
sound reached my ear. 1t might have been
celestial music, il was 30 pathetically beau
tiiul. listened in awe, not knowing that
1aras played, and the sound rose like cry
Of despair illling my heart with such woe
that ! could bear II no longer and turned
away.
found lodging that night at the
"WhentsheaL" Early In tho morning
left the inn to return to London.
ITS little better than two miles TO the
station" said the landlord, but you will
catch the up train nicely II you step cut
bit brisklikcn
Anxious now TO get back and learn the
result Of the solicitors application to Mr.
Lazarus, ! ran, as soon as | turned the
bend Of the road, that might not miss the
train. But presently the sound Of wheels
behind Obliged me to change my pace 20
one more in keeping with the character Of
gray headed woman. The sound drew
nearer and nearer Il couple OF shaggy dogs
raced by me, and then, as turned my
head, the carriage ratified past. It was an
open carringe; gentleman and young
lady sat on the bacl, scat She was on the
further side and speaking to him; her face
was toward me, his inclined toward her IN
listening attitude. They did not notice
mc-the smile on their faces was unchanged
but at the sight OF them | stopped ms II
lightning from the heavens had shot down
and struck me, for Ia that momentnry
glance recognized both. lie was Turns
she Judith | stood by u roadside watch
ing the rccedinR carriage In blank dismay,
till the curve OF the road hid IL from my
sight.
What did It meant asked myself in
frenzy Of jealous terror. Why was Judith
by his side smiling In his facet Had she
taken my place having lost Gordoni Had
Tnras given up all expectation Of my re
turn and made her his companion In my
steadi Had he gone still further than
that aud made her his wiie' That was the
more probable suppositon. Judith was
not homeless, friendless waif, TO whom
such position could be given as. the sole
escape from destruction. with the con
yentiopnl views OF her class, she would CON
sent 10 live under his roof only as his wife
Where were they going now in that car
rlagol To tho station undoubtedly, and
thence TO London. | might sec him again
at tho station N hurried But | did not
stir from the spot. The thought Of seeing
him again with her cut my heart like a
sharp knife felt II would DO better for
me II never saw him again. Better for
him too.
Suddenly II occurred TO mo that II Tarns
| and Judith were gone TO London Mere I.u.
cas- would be- alone might call upon her
and make inquiries, taking care to conceal
my identity and my purpose in case there
might yet be necessity for cunconlment.
Tho iron gates wore untpstenud. pasr
ed through aud walked up the brond path
| to the house, There was no need to assume
! the inirmlty OF agony steps faltorcd with
! qunking fear; my falling courage gave mo
scarcely the strength To ring tho bell when
| reached the house. Through the glazed
/ doom saw More l.uens coming across the
hall IA response to my feeble summons
with pondorous step, her white cap with
the strings tied in a broad bow under her
double chin first catching my eye She
opened the door and greeted me with Il
serious inclination OF the head, her full
lips pursed mp and slight expression OF
mistruat upon her face rs sho took In
my shrinking attitude and shabby appear
Rnce.
My back was 70 the light She could not
recognize me, aud Il was only natural that
she should receive mo in that manner, but
the sttangencss oil 10 frightened mol was
30 used 10 think OF her beaniug with kind.
ness nnd genial warmth, Evorything had
changed 50 la these past fow months that
return to the happy conditions OF old
seemed impossible,
tried to recolleot the phrases had re-
hearsed for the occasion coming along, but
my memory played me false, and after
stammoring a few incoherent words In
French and English abandoned tho at.
tempt 10 disguise myself In desperation
and cried Ia broken voice;
"Oh, Mero Lucas, don't you remember
mei"
She Stakeholder lips fell--she turned me
quickly To the light and eSolaimcd'
mon Dieul II has come To this You
have rctunedf
For minute establishment bewildered
her; the muscles Of her face were agitated
by conflicting emotions; then, recovering
her self possession, she composed her fen
tures and with severe gravity told me that
monsieur was not NJ home.
81 know he ls not l said ~ have seer
him. lie passed me In che road. didnoi
speak to him. did not wish aim 10 know
me"
zone can understand that" she replied
significantly. Has madamooom tospeaA
70 mcs"
"YeN yes, Mere Lucas" faltcrcd pit
eously.
Her GOODNESS and formnlity pcrplexe,
me | could not understand why she calle'
me madame now that had revealed my
self My embarrassment touched the goo
old woman, aud abe broke tho painful 81
lence,
"Monsieur IS quite wellf" she asked, wit
hesitation In her voice
"Monsiouri" l echoed interrogatively.
M. Gordon
ayes, hut IL lisa long time since lei
him. and have travelled q long, long wa
. 10 come here. aud and everything change
4 and altered, and-aud-" impulsively gu
4 ing way to my feelings, sobbed-"and
/ am wrotched and unhappy"
/ rose and won't toward her, and sh
. sprlnRiug up, broke through tho barrier
q reserve and clasped me in her arms, she
:. ding tears OF aiicctionRte sympathy.
n "Ah, my poor DEAR she whimpere
. 1--WE are wretched aud unhappy, all OF u
y and this is no Tins 20 bear grudgcs, o
n against the other My heart melted g
d moment you told me who you were, FOL
10 know how cruelty you must have suffer
y to come dovn TO this. But 1 felt tina
d ought not 70 forgive you all az once for {
ceivingus as you did. aud lUOk you itsecin
g a. II you had no feeling for any OF us \
d 10 send one word 10 us In our trouble.
" matter. That IN all past, and We viii 4
o. set II m brst wa ran 1here there" n