The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-04

light with such Joy as / think they must
feel who reach shrine after long and weary
pilgrimage.
gave myself up to sentiment and suf-
fered my emotions to have unrestrained
play. Solitude, the stiffness of the night,
the slowly creeping clouds that mounted
the heavens, the feeling Of unattained and
yet unattainable happiness-all conduced
to this devotional ecstasy. Taras was play
ing the viola in that room. A low. sad
sound reached my ear. It might have beeuf
celestial music. it was 30 pathetically beau
tiful. listened in awe. not knowing that
Taras played. and the sound rose like cry
of despair, filling my heart with such woe
that could bear 1t no longer and turned
away.
/ found lodging that night at the
"Wheatsheaf." Early in the morning
left the inn to return to London.
tits little better than two miles to the
station" said the'landlord, ,"'but you will
catch the up train nicely II you step out
bit brisklike."
Anxious now TO get back and learn the
result Of the solicitors application to Mr..
Lazarus, I ran, as soon as / turned the
bend of the road, that might not miss the
train. But presently the sound OF wheels
one more in keeping with the character of
gray headed woman. The sound drew
nearer and nearer; a couple Of shaggy dogs
raced by me. and then. as ! turned my
head, the carriage ratified past. 1t was an
open carriage; n gentleman and young
lady sat on the back seat. She was on the
further side. ans speaking to him; her face
was toward me. his inclined toward her in
listening attitude. They did not notice
me-the smile on their faces was unchanged
but at the sight Of them i stopped as il
lightning from the heavens had shot down
and struck me, for in that momentary
glance recognize both. He WINS Taras--
she Judith l skss by roadside wasch-
ing the receding cari:age in blank dismay,
till the curve Of the road hid 1t from my
sight.
What did IL means asked myself in
frenzy Of jealous terror. Why was Judith
by his side, smiling in his faceg Had she
taken my place, having lost Gordoni Had
Taras given up all expectation of my re
turn and made her his companion In my
stead? Had he gone still further than
that and made her his wifef That was the
more probable supposition. Judith was
not homeless, friendless waif, to whom
such position could be given as the sole
escape from destruction. With the con-
ventional views of her class, she would con-
sent to live under his roof only as his wife.
Where were they going now in that car
riagef To the station undoubtedly, and
thence to London. might see him again
at the station If hurried. But / did not
stir from the spot. The thought of seeing
him again with her cut my heart like
sharp knife. felt it would be better for
me II never saw him again. Better for
him too.
Suddenly it occurred to me that IL Taras
and Judith were gone to London Mere Luz
cas- would be alone. might call upon her
and make inquiries, taking care to conceal
my identity and my purpose in case there
might yet be necessity for concealment
The iron gates were unfastened. / pass
ed through and walked up the broad path
10 the house. There was no need to assume
the infrmity of age--my steps faltered with
auaking fear; my failing courage gave me
scarcely the strength TO ring the bell when
reached the house. Through the glazed
doors / saw Mere Lucas coming across the
hall in response to my feeble summons
with ponderous step, her white cap with
the strings tied in n broad bow under her
double chin first catching my eye. She
opened the door and grl eted me with a
serious inclination of the head, her full
lips pursed up and a slight expression of
mistrust upon her face as she took In
my shrinking attitude and shabby appear
ance.
My back was to the light. She could not
recognize me. and it was only natural that
she should receive me in that manner, but
the strangeness of it frightened mel was
so used to think of her beamiug with kind
ness and genial warmth. Everything had
changed so in these past few months that
a return to the happy conditions of old
seemed impossible.
tried to recollect the phrases had re-
hearsed for the occasion coming along, but
my memory played me false, and after
stammering few incoherent words in
French and English abandoned the at
tempt TO disguise myself in desperation
pnd cried in broken voice:
"Oh, Mere Lucas. don't you remember
meii
She started.-her lips fell-she turned me
quickly TO thG light and exclaimed:
mon Dieul 1t has come To this. You
have returned"
For n minute astonishment bewildered
her; the muscles of her face were agitated
Dy COnnlcVlnS tuiOtlOhs. tutH, lftONcfluS
her self possession. she composed her fea-
lures and with sewers gravity told me that
monsieur vas not at home.
II know he is not" said. ~ have seen
him. He pas 'ed me in the road did not
speak to him. did not wish him 10 know
me-"
Zone can understand that" she rcpl' d
significantly. Has madame come TO speak
10 mei"
"Yes, yes, Mere Lucas" faltered pit
eously.
Her GOODNESS and formality perplexed
me. could not understand why she called
me madame now that had revealed my
self My embarrassment touched the good
old woman, and she broke the painful ST.
lence.
'Monsieur Is quite well'" she asked, with
hesitation in her voice
"MonsIourtr echoed intercgatively.
M. Gordon"