Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-03-09
CHAPTER XLVII.

JUDITH LEARNS THE TRUTH.
On the following Sunday went again to
Woking. rather because inactivity at West
Hackney was uncomfortable than from ex-
pectation of learning Judith 3 decision that
day. 1t was not likely that she would go
up into the wood to give. her answer to the
offer made there the week before, or that
accident would again favor me as it had
then. In this I was not undeceived. A
drilling rain fell all the afternoon, and
from the opening In the wood where I sat
shivering hour after hour saw no one in
the grounds below.
staid the night at the "Wheatsheaf, I"
and from my little room In the front Of the
house watched the road the next morning
until shortly after Q, when the carriaXe
passed on its way to the station with Kav-
anagh and Colonel Bell. Kavanagh had a
cigar In his lips and q magazine In his
hand. Indifferent to his companion, who
sat with his thin hands ON the pommel of
his stick and . careworn, wistful look on
his poor old face.
started OF at once for the Grange.
Neither Taras nor Judith was In the gar
den when looked down from the wood,
but when I reached the entrance gates and
looked through perceived Judith In tho
long walk strolling hstlessly toward me,
her hands at her back and her eyes on the
ground. as II In meditation.
Ihad made up my mind - to what /
should do on finding her alone. and 90,
hastily whipping of my veil and false hair,
pushed open the gate and entered.
At the sound Of my step she raised her
head, but she continued to advance at the
same pace, for she had seen me but once
before, and then very differently dressed
and SO did not at once recognize who was.
Suddenly, however. as we drew near to
each other. she stopped, and, drawing her
self up proudly regarded me with such
scorn and loathing in her white face as I
have never seen in another.
1paused also. smitten with pity for her,
my heart aching in sympathy for the hu-
initiation and sorrows she had suffered.
Then hurried on to make sure that we
were alone before I spoke. Az passed ha.
she drew her skirt aside, as II abe feared
pollution by tho mere contact Of our dress.
and all the time she kept her eyes fixed
upon me. terrible with hatred and con-
tempt.
went Is far as the top Of the walk, and
seeing neither Taras nor Mere Lucas re-
turned to where Judith still stood - II.
reversing the fable Of Galatea. hate had
transformed her to marble
Il must speak to you."I said in . low
voice as approached her. Where are
Taras and Mere Lucasi"
| ''They are In the house." she answered
hoarsely. Il will hear nothing that you
have to say. II you are in need. Twill
not help you; II you were dying. would
not move step to save you. You have
crushed out all the goodness from my
heart. You have made me what am"
The tone Of self abandonment and misery
In which these last three words were ut
tered belied her asserted heartlessness
THE goodness In not crushed from your
heart, thank heaveni' said !. Love Il
stronger than hate. know, for have suf
fered too"
II will not listen to you." she said vehe
mently, turning to leave me.
wait" stepped before her. barring
the way. "You must listen to me-" and
seeing she was determined to pass by me
addsd, II have q message to give you from
George Gordon"
She hesitated for an instant; then. with q
gesture Of refusal. she said Indignantly:
He In nothing to me. It Is an insult t.
speak to me Of him. Let me pass"
He Is all the world to you, and you an
all the world to him. See." Isaid. offering
the little packet poor George had given me
ON the eve Of my departure. 'he has sent
you this from Siberia"
She would not take It from my hand
but. looking at me a. II she would pierct
my very soul to read the truth, she repeat
ed my words, From Siberian in Q low
tone Of incredulity.
tore open the paper and revealed hi
signet ring. upon which he had tied an end
Of pale blue nbbon-some treasured trihs
from her dress. which had its pretty story
doubtless.
From Siberia" she repeated, with ar
accent Of tender alarm, the color rising t.
her pale cheek as she recognized the objects
that lay in my hand.
1.-THE carriage Is coming back, said
catching the sound Of wheels. II must moi
be seen here. Take me where can tell you
all unseen and unheard."
If your intentions are honest, what need
T. there Of secrecy~
1.-THE need Of cheating one who Il MOI
honest. What have you to fear from mel
L. 1t likely that I should come to insult
you or do you INJURY Come this way"
added eagerly, stepping toward an alley
that turned from the drive a. the sound Of
the returning carriage suddenly became
moro distinct
She hesitated to comply.
"What II refusew she said half aloud
~ II putting the question to herself
"Then God forgive you, for the ruin Of
the man who loves you may be your do
Ing"
She followed me down the alley as the
carriage came in sight A dozen PAGES
brought me to an arbor cut In the thick
yew hedge. stepped quickly into the 70.
cess, and Judith followed me- Irested my.
self on one of the rustic stools, but judith
stood before the little table that separated
US. When the carriage had passed the end
OF the walk, laid the ring ON the table
before her. saying:
| Let 1t lie there till your heart bids You
take 1t. It should not lie there long. Is It
not proof of his constant love and fidelity
that he sends this token and that bring
itW
"You brought It from Siberia!"
| Il brought 1t from Siberia Hewas taken
by treachery-my treachery. Oh. am not
guiltless. deserve all the reproaches that
knowing that was blighting your happi.
ness. but myself was taken In the trap
had laid for him. We were carried of 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 l. There was no path
In the endless forest-no track In the field
OF snow to guide US. Wehad 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 kind and cheering
word. though his strength gave out 30 that
his hand was weaker than child's."