Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-11-06
CHAPTER XIV.
Ol-AI- En- NV.
/ DISCOVER THE FIRST CAUSE OF EAV


Miss Janet Pelham was the dearest little
old maid that ever lived. She had the bird
like alacrity and cheerfulneSs of her broth
er, but with sweet and amiable DISPOSE
ton which was less perceptible in his char
acter because Of the restraint imposed by
considerations of professional etiquette
maybe. But indulgent rs her nature was,
Miss Pelham could not permit me to prac-
tice scales on Sunday Possibly she felt
for her neighbors, for the walls were thin,
and they certainly heard enough strum-
ming for six days of the week to cntitle
them to a days rest ON the seventh. But
the inaction which was godsend to them
was intolerable to me, and so on the second
Sunday put n little parcel of provisions,
which had bought over night. in my pock-
ct and left Stoke Newington at an early
hour
There was but one place in the world that
had any attraction for me, and that was
Betterford aud with wild feeling of free
dom and hope, heightened by my love of
adventure and the sense of the risk ran,
took the first train from Waterloo to Wok-
ing.
| was alone in the compartment when the
train started, and taking advantage of this
opportunity l carefully pinGed on the
pieces of false hair had brought with me
and put on the thick, spotted veil to com
plete the disguise.
\ very beautiful tir wood lies at the
back of the Grange. 1t slopes down to
the common, and from path winding
round the hill, Mt n certain point, one OBJ
tains an unohstructed view of the Grange
and its surrounding grounds below. \ seat
has been fixed there, for this opening COM
mands one of the finest views in Surrey,
the undulating country spreading out be
yOnd the common as far as the eye can
reach.
1t took me by surprise when | looked
down and saw the Grange lying open to
my observation below. 1t seemed as il
something more than hazard had guided
as to this spot.
1T must he lunchtme," said to my
self, seeing no one in the garden. Il am
hungry too. Perhaps by the time have
eaten my lunch Taras will have finished
his Then he will come out to smoke a
cigar and look into that wonderful world
he spoke OF.
sat down and ate the sandwiches | had
brought. Then, after waiting with eager
hope and expectation for about half an
hour, my heart bounded as Taras came out
from the house and walked slowly over the
lawn. He was not alone. y thin old gen
tleman walked 10y his side. knew TaraS
the moment | saw him, but it was some
time before felt certain that his compan-
ion was Colonel Bell.
Instinctively drew aside, screening my
self behind n bramblc 1t was not likely
that the old gentleman would descry me at
that distance. still less that, perceiving
me, he could recognize who was. Pres
emily n young lady with sunshade ap-
peared, Immediately followed by a gentle
man. Him knew at the first glance to be
Mr.. KavanaSh by his height, carriage and
smart appearance. They crossed the lawn
TO Taras and Colonel Bell and a few min
utes after sauntered away, disappearing
beyond the shrubbery that hedged the
lawn. was glad when she went away, for
knew it must be Judith, though her sun
shade concealed her head and face from
me. While she was there only feeling Of
jealousy imbittcred my thoughts. When
she was gone, my heart beat more calmly,
and could look down upon my dear friend
with that tender sentiment which had
made the pilgrimage to indulge in
Nero Lucas brought out a glittcring
liquor set and a box of cigars and set them
on table before the garden seat. Even
there l could hear her laugh. These and
many other triflinG incidents noticed with
untiring interest until the sound of voices
startled me from my reverie, and looking
downward perceived through the inter
veuiuS growth Il bright speck of color. 1t
was the suushaGe had seen in the garden.
Judith aud kavanaGh were coming up
through the wood by the winding path. !
stepped back noiselessly and looked round
for hiding place, not knowing by which
path to escape meeting them. y deep
trench bordcred the inner side of the path,
overgrown in parts by struggling brambles
and dead brake. ] crept round the seat
and dropped in the trench behind it, think