The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-20
CHAPTER XLvIII.
.ORDoN'S RETERN.


My first impulse on reading the telegram
was to telegraph the joyous news to Judith,
but Mr.. Pelham, to whom had communi-
Gated little by little, as my confidence in
him increased, all the principal facts of the
case. overruled my desire.
Probably, as you suggest, " said he, Mr..
Gordon's name has been omitted for prti-
Dental reasons, but there is nothing in ID
to prove that he is in Berlin, and it would
be unwise not to say cruel, to convey thak
belief to Miss Bell until we have positive
assurance that he Is beyond the reach Of the
Russian police. She does not expect him
so soon, and it seems to me worth the de-
lay of n couple of days to avoid even ths
possibility of giving bitter disappoins-
ment."
The bare supposltion that Gordon might
not arrive with Ivan Dontremember in-
spired me with such poignant regret that
readily yielded to my solicitors direction,
SO that Judith was at least spared the SOM
ber fears that clouded my bright hopes
Mr.. Pelham and went together to Do
yer, and OH Saturday morning, hours be-
fore the boat was due, stationed myself on
the end of the pier straining my eyes over
the gray waters. At length seaman, who
knew what was looking for, pointed out n
speck in the distance and told me it was the
Calais boat. Nearer and nearer it came,
and almost as soon az / could distinguish
one passenger from another on the deck
saw handkerchief futtering on the bridge,
and l made out the stalwart figure Of
George Gordon. He wore light colored
Inverness that added to his bulk. Present
ly discovered the inseparable pipe in his
mouth. Then was sure that it was he.
That's he-George Gordon" l cried,
pointipu him out to Mr. Pelham.
"And Mr.. Dontremember--do you see
him?"
had forgotten him in my delirious ex-
citement, but now l perceived his elfsh
figure in a tightly buttoned coat, his ap.
pearanoe made more grotesque by large
fur cap with the lappet turned down and
tied under his chin. Then looking at
George Gordon again and seeing the grin
of delight that spread over his face-a fine
brick red from exposure to the wind-I
felt that l must burst into tears or laugh
ter or go to some such foolish excess.
Even Mr.. Pelham smiled in complaisance
with me. The only one whose face ex-
pressed no JOY was Ivan Dontremember's
The voyage had made his complexion livid,
and his eyes had the pathetically stolid
look of the ape, as il he were at loss to
know what there was in the world for men
and women to laugh at.
Then came the meeting, George Gordon
taking me by both hands and kissing me
on each cheek in the eexuberance of his hap.
piness.
"Judith-is she all right" he asked.
'Yes, yes." l replied.
'And old Tarass"
"He is with Judith" ;"
His countenance fell as he noticed the
change in my expression and the hesitation
with which replied Ivan Dontremember
craned forward to hear my reply, when
Gordon asked;
whats the matterf'
could not reply The words choked me
shook my head, covering my eyes with
my hand.
HE has lost his sight" Mr.. Pelham said
coming to my rescue. 'They have blinded
him.
II told you how it would end" observed
Ivan Dontremembsr, calmly-"exile, mutt
lation or death.'
George Gordon passed his arm through
mine, and leading me away said gently;
Bear up, little woman. We have got
him still with us, and now they have done
their worst they will leave him in peace.
fine fellow like Taras is not dependent fol