Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-11-07

49, ee-DAS
before her, saying;
Let it lie there till your heart bids you
take 1t. 1t should not lie there long. Is it
not proof of his constant love and fidelity
that he sends this token and that bring
itf"
you brought it from Siberian
II brought it from Siberia He was taken
by treachery-my treachery. oh, am not
guiltless. deserve all the reproaches that
you can heap upon me. 1 aided his enemy,
knowing that was blighting your happi-
ness, but l myself was taken in the trap
had laid for him. We were carried off to
st. Petersburg and sent away into Siberia
An accident enabled us to escape from a
prison on the road. We reached the forest,
George Gordon and /. There was no path
in the endless forest-no track in the field
of snow to guide us. We had no food. We
were lost. l must have persisted but for
him. He never left me, though by himself
he might have reached some village. Day
after day we crept along, he helping me,
never failing to find n kind and cheering
word, though his strength gave out so that
his hand was weaker than a child's"
/ stopped, for poor Judith's spirit at this
point suddenly broke down. Sinking with
faint cry upon the stool beside her she
snatched up her lovers ring, and laying
her arms or the table buried her face in
her hands and burst into tears of Joy and
grief.
Presently looking up-her face wet, her
eyes blinded with tears-she asked fiercely:
Did he know that it was through you
he had come to that"
Yes"
And still he forgave you!"
Yes"
Il cannot" she exclaimed passionateIy
II shall never forgive you;' then. brushing
her tears away, she gazed at his ring for a
moment, and covering her face again
moaned fondly, My George! my George!'
As her motion subsidized, she raised her
head and said imperiously:
Tell me more-fnish this history of
your crime"
We found a friend and the means by
which one of US three could escape. George
Gordon decided that should go"
And you consented to come away and
leave him there?" she asked, her brows
bent in contempt and anger.
Would you have had him come and
leave me there?" 1 asked.
mo, no, nc-my George could not do So
forgive you that
AT the last moment he gave me that
ring. Tell my sweetheart he said, that
l am coming
He is coming" she gasped, looking
wildly around her as if expecting to see
him. Where is he now? Oh, my God"
she exclaimed, starting to her feet in con-
sternation; then, turning upon me in fury,
she said, This you have to answer for-I
have given my hand to another"
l was glad to hear this, knowing who
that other was. She must have seen the
signs of satisfaction in my face, for she
added paSsionately:
Have you no heart? Does this fail to
sting your conscience with remorse?"
II expected it. was at the opening in
the wood when Kavanagh made you the
offer. came here expressly to find out if
you had accepted him."
And you rejoice to think that the man
who gave you freedom shall return to find
me married! What devilish malice possess
es you:''
You have said many bitter things to me
without reflection, condemning me unheard.
Am not to have my revengeS'
Enjoy it while you may. Your venGe-
ance will be short Mr.. Kavanagh will re
lease me when he knows the truth"
He must not know the truth. You must
not breathe a word that would lead him to
WAIVER in his determination to make you his
wife"
She regarded me in silent perplexty,
probably diviniug, us she regain ed her pow
err to reason, that | was merely playing with
words, and indeed she must have seen by
the expression of my face and the telltale
no malice in my heart.
when have You promised to marry"
asked.
''Soon-in IL week or a fortnight" she
answered readily, with the growing assur-
ance that my question was not due to an
idle or vindictive purpose.
That is too soon. You must be ill and
postpone it a little while. You must not
marry before George Gordon returns and
he may not be here for three weeks"
Il do not understand YOU" she faltered.
II think my passion has made me I'M
just. You cannot be in earnest. Why am
l not to tell Mr.. Kavanagh:"
Because if you do, " replied, with I'M
mistakable earnestness, eff you suffer him
even to guess that you have seen me or
heard one word about your lover, George
Gordon will never return
Mute with fear and establishment, she
seated herself again, entreating me by the
mere expression of her face to tell her more.
You want to know why. l will tell you.
1t is because kavanagh is a WILLAMETTE
most cunning, wicked villain that ever
lived. He told You that he had never loved
any woman but you. He has married one
at any rate, and he will be made to answer
for her life. He is an agent of the Russian
police. He betrayed his wife's brother for
money and sent him into exile. He has
tried again and again to make his friend
Taras prisoner and put him away, and fail
ing that stopped, shuddering.
1T was he who blinded Taras!' Judith
exclaimed in horror.
He or the man he paid to do the work
for him. He sent George Gordon away
forged his name to get the money he left
behind him and ruined your father that he
might obtain you. He is prepared to sell
all his possessions at any hour and leave
the country, knowing the danger he runs
in staying here, where at any moment his
villainy may be discovered. He only wants
to get possession of you to complete the list
Of his crimes"
This is terrible. 1t is difficult to real
izc that the man have trusted as the best
friend'-
If he could not deceive n woman, he
would not be an agent of the Russian po-
lice. You must believe it. cannot leave
you until you are so convinced of his treach-
cry and power that nothing can lead you to
disclose what have revealed. At a word
from him fresh vigilance will be employed
on the frontier. Gordon may be detected
and sent away to some place where mems
lives end in madness or in suicide"
You should not have told me this"
Judith said, with recoilinG terror.
1T was necessary. The solicitor who ad-
vises me pointed out that kavanagh would
press you to an early marriage. The risk
was 'oO SreII W run, anu relleu upon love
giving you strength and courage to outwit
Kavanagh You have revenge as we'll as
love to aid you. Think of your lovers
peril, of your fathers Suffering''-
Tell me again." she said fiercely. Let
me know more"
told her at greater length what knew
of kavanagh and then recounted many in
cidents to prove Gordon's devotion to her
his generosity and kindness to me- In
the end she took my hand and pressed it
warmly-seeing that l had true sympathy
with her-and begged me to forgive her for
the many bitter things she had said and