Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-12-28

Ntllu OUT, anu ltIi llllO u
the stool Iv the side of Taras. Uncon-
sciously my eyes closed, and sleep overcane
me. When Mere Lucas step on the stairs
woke me, found my face resting against
the pillow on which Taras lay, and my brow
was moist and warm with his breath. had
but lust time to collect my dazcd senses. to
start to my feet and whip of my crushed
hat and ulster as the old woman entered
How" she exclaimed softly, stopping
in ama2ement. lis monsieur ill.,"
"IIc came home very late" faltcred in
explanation, having failed TO prepare my
self for the occasion, "and Mr. Kavanagh
thought it better that he should lie here
until-until he wakes
Dear me, that's very strange" she muir
INJURED, approaching the couch in anXiety
Then, after regarding him for a moment in
silence. her stout sides began to shake. and
she added in a tone of cheerful satisfaction:
"Thank heaven it's no worse than that
One has TO see such thing with ones own
eyes to believe it. for | never saw him like
this before; but it's odd all the same" and
again she chucklcd until, catching sight OF
my scared and anxious face, her merriment
was suddenly changed to earnest solicitudc
"Whv, my poor ma 'msele, ii is YOU who
are i'll, not the master, and | was stupid
enough not to see it at the first glance
You have been sitting up all night and tor
menting Yourself about nothing. For look
you there is really nothing the matter
with monsieur. He sleeps like Il child and
see, his skin is as fresh and pink as Il young
girls and when he wakes up he won't
even have a headache Go. He has drunk
half II bottle too much, that is all, but that
is not terrible and ii the wine was good il
Is quito cNcueable. It's Il good sign when
Aman enjoys life and the good things in
This world ard forgcts himself now and
then in moderation, iorit'sa proof hat he's
healthy and happy. It's early enough to
be saints when we can no longer be merry,
look YOU Come each one her turn. You
70 now to your bed and leave the master to
me- He shall lie there till he wakes, and
do you sleep till call you"
| slept all the morning. Mere Lucas was
laughing heartily as went down stairs,
but THras was vcXcd with himself | saw
when we met, and looked only at the ser-
Gus side Of the affair.
81 cannot excuse myself, he said. ~ can
only feel very sorry for the alarm and anx-
iety have given you
"rhat is passed; have slept it all away"
! said as chcertully as could, "aud if You
arr quite we'll now there is nothing to feel
sorr1 about
VI am ashamed to say never felt better
in my life Mere I.uca, tells me that Kay
anN9h brought me home
Yes
~ have not the SLIGHTEST recollection of
envthinl. from tbetinia rose to come home
and found that could not walk steadily
till the moment woke on the couch there
with Mere Lucas laughing over me as if it
were the plcasante,t ching in the world TO
see a man level himself with the beasts-or
little lower. Islppo.c p! shall learn more
when Kavanaph comes"
Kavanaph came while we were still Mt
lunch. The first glance shot mt Taras and
me assured him TINT | had NOT broken my
promise of secrecy. and the tone of relief in
which he concentrated Taras on looking
SO well was not altontL4rdue TO that fact
"The most unuccouutahle thino 7 oyer
knew" he eaid "Yug seemed to me to I've
drinking even less than ouusuolIvd drink ~
"Thanks.n said Tara.. with n lauob. ~
was ashamed 10 offer that 4xcuse myself.
never vet knew an iur,"pated man who
could not trace hi, misfortune to having
drunk rather Ic...than u.u,l
kavana,h laughed with him
zone thing. though " Nc protested .tbe
whisky at that mace ~ .amou-lv bad "
1T seemed to me to have a remarkably
queer taste" Tara, acnuic,c,d "but that
again, | believe. is the hahtual experience