Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1894-01-06
CHAPTER XIV.
A WARNING

One morning ! 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 f1ow-
ers, and was then disposing them about
our pretty living room. Mere Lucas sur
prised me by repeating phrase which she
had not used for long time.
"Pauvre cherie, va!' 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 Lucas"
asked. for could now speak in French
with tolerable fuency. "Ihave everything
want"
ut is true, it is true. Thank heaven,
you have everything you desire"
Then why do you say poor dearie' with
that look of sadness?"
"Why do say it'" 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 l love
you. Co." and with a sounding kiss she
released me and went off to her kitchen. l
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
pathyf | was no longer the deplorable
creature that first excited her pity. Why
would merry laugh now and then be
checked by sigh as she squeezed my hand,
or end in a rueful shake of the head and q
look of fearful sadnessi
Another phase of her affectionate 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, Mime. Lucas" Gordon would
CRY in his CHEEKY voice and execrable French
when the door was opened to him. Fine
weather, isn't iti Is NJ. Taras in his studio"
~ will 20 and see." Mere Lucas respond
ed In good Norman, "hnt behold ma 'selle
all alone" and opening the sitting room
door she gave the poor man no option but
TO enter and pass quarter Of an hour with
me, and bad quarter Of an hour it usually
was for him owing to his very limited
knowledge Of French and my obstinate
perseverance in speaking English only to
Taras.
He was a nice fellow and the most init
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 8
character kavanagh was undoubtedly
stronger in purpose and action, which was
the reason. l believe, for Taras choosing
him rather than Gordon as q guardian for
me in case Of accident.
| liked Gordon for his honest simplicity,
his obvious kindness of heart and for u GER
tain resemblance to Taras In personal ap-
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
astray--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 rs his manner was
wanting In some quality which marked
ths high breeding and rsansmept Of his