Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-21

Betterford Grange. but didnr know
their names, though he was told thew
were foreigners. The Grange was this
side OF the village and the frst house
after passing the "WheatsheAf," which
was about halfway. aud I couldn't mis-,
10, as IL stood just on the edge OF the
common as you come through the Dir
woods With this Information lef,
him, aud following his direction came
AZ last upon the open common, aud
there, standing back from the road was
the Grange-its twisted chimnsys and
many gables thrown into relief by a
background OF moonlit cloud.
The front faced the common. Look.
ing through che iron gates up the yew
oordered carriage drive saw a light
on the lower door. ielt that Tara.
was there. Cling,ng to the bars OF
the gate, l gared at tho light with
such tov as l think they must feel
who reach shrine after long and
weary pilgrimage.
gave myself up to sentiment and
suffered my emotions to have unre-
strained play. Solitude, the stiffness
OF the night, the slowly creeping
clouds that mounted the heavens, the
feeling oi unattained and vet unat-
tatnable happiness-all conducsd to
this devotional ecstacy. Taras was
playing the viola In that room. A
low. sad sound reached my ear. 1t
might have boon celestial music, IL
was 30 pathstically beautiful. list
ened In awe, not knowing that TarAs
played, and the sound rose Ikea cry
OF despair, filing mJ heart with such
woe that could bear 10 no longer and
turned away.
l.A.
"Wheatsheaf" Early In the morning
lstt the i'm to return to London.
ITS little better than two miles to
the station" said the landlord, "but
you will catch the train up nicely II you
step out n biz brisklike."
Anxious now To get back and learn
the result OF tho solicitors application
to Mr.. Lazarus, l ran, as aeon rs
turned the bend OF tho road, that |
might not miss the train. But presently
tho sound OF wheels behind obliged me
TO change my pace TO ono more In keep.
Ing with the character OF n gray head cd
woman. The sound drew nearer anc
nearer; q couple OF shaggy dogs raced
by mo, and then, as L turned my
head the carriage ratified past. 1t was al
open carriage; a gentleman aud n young
lady sat on the 0ack seat. She was OF
the further side, and speaking TO him;
her face was toward me, his inclined
toward her In listening attitude
They did not notice me-the smile or
their faces was unchanged-but at thu
sight OF them l stopped Us II lightnins
from the heavens had shot down anC
struck me, for In that momentar,
glance l recognized both. He wa
TaraS-she Judith 1 stood by a road
al In 4. Al
In blank dismay, till tho curve OF tn,
road hid IL from my view.
What did II mean? asked myself n
a frenzy of jealous terror. Why wa
Judith by his side. smiling in his face
Had she taken my place, having los
Gordonp Had Taras given up all expec
tation OF my return and made her hi
companion in my stead? Had he gon
still further than that and made her hi
wifep That was the more probable sup
position. judith was not n homeless
friendloss waif, to whom such n position
could be given as the sole escape frou
destruction. With the conventions
views OF her class, she would consent 1
live under his roof only as his life
Where were they going now Ia that car
riage? To the station undoubtedly, an,
thence To London. / might see hin
again at the station II / hurried. But
did not stir from the spot. The though
OF seeing him again with her cut m
heart like a sharp knife. felt It woul,
DO better for me II / never saw hiu
again. Better for him, too.
Suddenly IT. occurred To me that
Taras and Judith were gone TO Londo
Mere Lucas would bo alone. nigh
call upon her and make inquiries, tax
ing care TO conceal my identity and m
purpose lie case there might yet be ne
cessity FOR concealment.
The Iron gates were unfastened.
passed through aud walked up tn
broad path to the house. There was u
need To assume the infirmity OF age-m
steps faltered with quaklng fear; m
falling courage gave me scarcely the
streDth 10 ring the bell when reache.
the house. Through the glazed doors
saw Mere Lucas coming across the hal
In response To my feeble summons will
ponderous step, her white cap with tn
strings tied in a broad bow under be
double chin first catching my eye. Sh,
opened the door and greeted me with
serious inclination OF the head, her full
lips pursed uI and q slight expression o
mistrust upon her face as she took IN
my shrinking attitude and shabby ap
pearance.
Ny back was TO the light. She could
not recognize me, and IL was only nat
ural that she should receive me In tina
man ner, but the strangeness OF 4
frightened mel was so used TO think
OF her beaminR with Kindness and gen
ial warmth. Everything had changed
so In these past few months that re-
turn to the happy conditions OF ole
seemed impossible.