The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-10-27


One morning l was particularly bright
and happy. Taras and had risen early,
by arrangement made over night, and gone
to the flower market at Covent Garden,
from which we returned ladened with flow
ers, and was then disposing them about
our pretty living room. Mere Lucas sur
priscd me ly repeating phrase which she
had not used for n long time.
"Pauvre cherie, val" said she in trem-
bling voice, regarding me with tender COM
miseration in her broad, motherly face as
she stood before me with her hands planted
on her massive hips.
"Why do you say that, Mere Lucase" /
asked, for / could now speak in French
with tolerable fluency. "Ihave everything
l want"
ut is true, it is true. Thank heaven,
you have everything you desire"
Then why do you say poor dcarie' with
that look of sadness?"
why do say itf" she said, echoing my
words to get time for reflection. She hesi-
tated. Her lips trembled as II she were
about to tell something that prudence
withheld, and then taking me by the arms
and drawing me to her breast she got out
of the difficulty by saying; Because love
you Go, and with a sounding kiss she
released me and went Off to her kitchen. /
accepted this feminine explanation then,
but before long the same expression
cropped up again apropos of nothing when
was singing from sheer want of thought.
That set me wondering. What was there
in my condition that appealed to her SYM
pathyi l was no longer the deplorable
creature that first excited her pity. Why
would a merry laugh now and then be
checked by a sigh as she squeezed my hand,
or end in a rueful shake of the head and a
look of fearful sadness2
Another phase of her affectonate regard
added to my perplexity before long. She
became remarkably urgent in her praise of
George Gordon and lost no opportunity Of
bringing us together.
Good day, Nine. Lucas" Gordon would
cry in his CHEEKY voice and execrable French
when the door was opened to him. "Fine
weather, isn'tit9 IsM Taras in his sstudio'"
II will go and see," Mere Lucas respond
ed in good Norman, but behold ma m selle
all alone" and opening the sitting room
door she gave the poor man no option but
to enter and pass a quarter of an hour with
me, and bad quarter of an hourit usually
was for him owing to his very limited
knowledge of French and my obstinate
perseverance in speaking English only to
Taras.
He was nice fellow and the most inti-
mate friend of raras. A stronger bond of
friendship existed between them than be-
tween Taras and kavanagh, perhaps be-
cause there was more weakness In Gordon's
character. Kavanagh was undoubtedly
stronger in purpose and action, which was,
the reason, believe, for Taras choosing
him rather than Gordon as a guardian for
me in case of accident.
liked Gordon for his honest simplicity,
his obvious kindness of heart and for a cer-
tain resemblance to Taras in personal an
pearance and some phases OF character.
Like Taras, he was strong and big, fair and
blue eyed, careless with regard to dress-in
striking contrast to Kavanagh, who always
dressed perfectly and had never a hair
sstray-and his voice was hearty and out
spoken.
They had both the same good laugh, the
same honest, open way of looking you full
in the eyes, the same gentleness and ready
sympathy. Both might have been cast
from the same mold, but Gordon was the
rough cast, still needing the finishing touch
and polish which gave Taras his immense
superiority. Gordon's eyes lacked the ar
tistic depth and his expression the high
intelligence and serious bent that distin-
guished Taras-just as his manner was
wanting in some quality which marked
the high breeding and refinement of his
friend. In their hands more than any
thing the difference between them found
expression. Gordon's were pretty with
tapering fingers and dimple in the
knuctle, soft and slow in movement
Taras had long, thin fingers with spatula
tips, and they were full of nervous energy
"Ah, what good husband he would
make, that good NJ Gordontn Mere Lucas
more than once exclaimed. $50 rich, so
aniiable, SO gay and with such a good
heart and so easy to leadp'
But it never occurred to me that / should
lead him. No idea of marriage ever en-.
tered my head at that time
Seeing that failed to profit by her hints
and that | was as far as ever from regard
ing Gordon MS a possible husband, Merr
Lucas took more decisive means of warn.
ing me against the danger which lay un.
seen beneath my ever increasing attach.
ment to Taras, She found me one morning
alone in his workshop setting some fresh |
flowers in the brown jar by the window.
''It Is good TO put flowers where he may
see them when he turns from his work /" |