The old Abe eagle., 1894-02-15
CHAPTER XXI.
KAVANAGlI CoNFEsSEs.

NAV ANAG!l IONF ESSES.
The movement Of the brougham at start
ing aroused Taras from his lethargy, and
he made an effort to shake off sleep, but
with long drawn sigh his head dropped
again the next minute. | drew him to-
ward me, and with his dear face pillowed
on my shoulder could scarcely wish our
journey to end.
When we drew up at length at our house
In Lambeth, Kayanagh came to the door,
took the latchkey from Taras' pocket and
after lighting the candles in our living
room came back to me-
I'VE must lay our friend on the couch in
the sitting room," he said, and turning to
the cabman, who had stationed himself in
front Of us In evidence Of his continued Wig
ilance, continued Can you give me a hand
heref There's q man to hold your horse's
head"
With no pretense at disguise, he called
Drigo by name, and the man came from
the foot of the bridge where had last seen
him and silently placed himself in front OF
the horse at Kavanaghs bidding.
ale will not waken before midday" said
Kavanagh In French when Taras was COM
fortably disposed on the couch. 1.-THE
sleeping draft gave him is perfectly harm
less. You can see that he Is not In the
slightest pain, poor old chap"
The tone of affection in which he spoke
was not less astonishing than the openness
Of his confession. The audacity Of his
hypocrisy astounded me, and yet rs look
ed ut him bending over Talas with those
soft, feminine eyes ! could find nothing in
heexpression OF his face to belle his senti
mcnt
~ must speak to you before | CO." he
continued, raising his head and looking me
calmly in the face. "The cabman shall wait
outside till go, or in the room with US If
you prefer it."
am not afraid OF you." replied.
He bowed, and going to the outer door
told the cabman to back his cab and wait
there where he could hear if he were called.
Then he told the driver of his brougham to
return to the news and babe Drigo go
with him. These orders heard distinctly
as sat on the stool beside the couch where
Taras lay.
Kavanagh returned to the room, leaving
the doors open, and seating himself on the
couch by Taras' feet he leaned forward and
said gravely;
"This Is the second time you have de
feated my plans for saving the life Of oui
friend. Yet took every precaution that O
man could take, short of con6ding my pur
pose to you this second time"
And II you had done that do you think
should have helped you" asked fercely
"Yes. | believe you would. | set n man
to watch You, and thought that enough
And so 1t would have been II hadn't
found means to get away without bis see
ing me-" said triumphantly.
"Whether overrated his ability or un
derrated yours matters little now," stit
he with shrug, after regarding me in 81
lence for minute. Il ought to have TOLD
you all With your help we must have
succecded"-
"In WHAT"
"In getting Taras safely away. At thi
moment he might have been on the steam
er whiting for him on the river and on hi
way to Russia"
could only look Mt him In speechless as
tonishmcnt for time. Then, doubling
d whether had rightly caught the sense o
, his words, said:
, "You think | would have consented t,
such thing as thatY
"Yes; II had shown you that II was th
only way OF saving his life. Understand
this, the czar has sad that Taras must b
silenced-that means that he must be take
back to Russia, where he will be preventc'
from publishing works offensive To tn
J car, or that he will he secretly assassnnt
ed, for 1t is hopeless to think of restraining
him while he lives here In freedom | hav
done my utmost In that direction mad
It impossible for him to burn the group @
statuary until Gordon undertook to bull
kiln for that purpose, and IL was VIII
|. destroyed the group the day before II wa
TO be cast i'ou know now that u was tn
hund OF friend, and not an enemy. VIII
did that"
"You call yourself friend. who dl
! thatr exclaimed.
l Yes and you would do the same II 80
J perfectly realized his position"
y Destroy what he has made--the work \
y dear To himf Nevcr"
Would you rather that he himse
should be destroyedP He paused for u
= answer. but M found no reply 10 max
y he continued.