Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-11-02
elIned to take any fee at the present stag,
of the case.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
TFTE nN-rco on rp-

THE MADNESS OF FEAR
couldn't help It. It was stronger than
| l, as the French say-that yearning to bs
near Tnras, to pass the house in which he
hved-the house with which the dearest,
the happiest associations OF my life were
connected, and after resisting the tempea-
| tion as long as l could, wandering about
the city with the endeayor to distract my
thoughts by looking In the shops, / took q
turning down to the river and at the first
station stepped on board Chelsea steamer.
rs it likely" l asked myself that
shall be seen by any one knowf" Never,
theless 1t was the hope Of seeing Taras, II
but afar off, that led me into this impru
dence, for, despite my disguise, / knew
that was doing wronG-that / was jeop-
ardiZing the escape OF Gordon, the safety
OF Taras himself-by exposing myself even
to the remote chance OF discovery Most
Of the people on board looked like Lam
beth folk. gentleman was waiting on
the Temple pier who, in the distance, looked
like kavanagh.
shivered with suppressed excitement as
we drew nearer and nearer TO the spot in
which all my fondest hopes were conferred
My heart beat wildly as l caught sight of
the kilns beyond Westminster my head
swan, and every object grew dim and in.
distinct before my eyes as the boat crossed
toward Lambeth pier
Prudence told me that here at least |
ought to go below or screen myself, for
every man on the pier knew me we'll by
sight. But was deaf to every voice blind
to every danger. | even raised my veil
that might better scan the faces Of the
passengers upon the pier we were nearing
oh, if Taras might only be among them!
IL he would come on board, where might
feel his presence! There were three or four
familiar faces close to me when we ran
alongside, but not his l stood up and
strained my eyes as the late passengers ran
down the foOtbridge. He was not among
them, and that vain hope was gone. But
there was still the chance of seeing kim at
the window when the bridge was passed
and could get an unobstructed view of the
house.
We passed under the bridge, snorting as
the funnel was lowered, and then as the
smoke blew away something seemed to
smite my heart like the blow of great
hammer, for, looking back, l saw the blinds
of all the windows were drawn down.
Great heaven, Taras is deadl' That
was my first thought, and then, divining
the truth, l said to myself, The car has
conquered"
But this end of all happiness was too ter
rible to be accepted while any spark of
doubt remained, and tried to cheat myself
with hopcs-as if mere belief could alter
the course of inevitable fate, or hope undo
what was done, tried to explain the drawn
blinds by supposing less dreadful calam-
ity. Poor old Mere Lucas was gone.
YES yes said TO myself, grasping at
this possibility, Mere Lucas is dead, poor
SOUL"
Leaving the boat at Nauxhall pier, Ihur
ried along Millbank. repeating this phrase
again and again like a charm, and crossing
Lambeth bridge drew near the old house,
still striving to believe that my eyes had
deceived me yet faint with dread.
could go no farther than the corner op-
pOsite the house. Its aspect of dcsolation
paralyzed my limbs and forced me to cling
TO the wall for support. There was no sign
of life in it. The shutters of the living
room were closed; the blinds of the win
dows above drawn. The bulbs Taras gave
me to plant in the boxes on my window
stills the last week l was with him had
Powered and faded. The withcred blooms
hung over the edge. Even the foliage had
dropped for want of attention. At the cor
ner of Ferry street one of the carmen from
the pottery was packing jars in his van.
Needless Of the risk | ran-for there seemed
no longer any need of disguise-I tottered
across the road, and in a voice made weak
and tremulouS by emotion | asked him if
he could tell me where Mime. Lucas lived.
Mime. Lucas he responded carelessly,
still packing away the jars. 'Oh, she's
gone away. She used to live in the house
down there as is shut up now She's been
gone ever since Christmas"
''Does-docs any one live there nowf" |
faltered.
No, Look here, missis," he added,
frightening himself and scratching his
head. you're upset my counting along of
your questions. Here, Bill Wright" he
called TO n young man who was arranging
more jars against the wall. here's a party
wants to know something about Nine. Lu
cas-"
II only wanted TO know where could
ond her" said timhlly.
She's living now down in Surrey along
with Mr.. Taras," said William Wright.
He is not dead?" gasped.
Il haven't heard of his dying, mum,
though know he was very bad before he
left"
My heart leaped at this Oh, if Taras
we're only ill there was Yet hope!
Can you tell me where can find him
Mime. Lucas. mean"
Il know it's Working way where they
live now. Bctterford thinks the name
of the place, but can't be sure"
Here" said the carman, run round to
the hoffice, old lady, and ask for Mr.. kava-
nach. He fuows Hand us mp them quarts.
Bill"
At that name | recognized the raShncss OF
my folly. albeit neither the carman nor
William Wright had seen through my dis
Gui>e-the reckless madness into which my
fear had led me. Nevert helcss within an
hour was On my way TO Betterford.