Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-03-15
CHAPTER XIII.

/ would have sprung up and retained
| Mere Lucas TO learn the worst and end my
suspense, but fear unneryed me and made
me powerless 10 move or act.
The carriage drew up before the door.
heard Mere Lucas voice, and then Taras
spoke in reply / could not catch his words,
| but there was nothing in the tone of his
voice TO indicate that appalling change for
which had been prepared What had the
Kavanagh' agents-doue to him that
night when they called him TO the door,
Had they inflicted such injuries as to de-
prive him Of reasonY That was the greatest
calamity could imagine
He was in the han now. Every word he
spoke was distinctly audible.
"Oh, there was plenty of time,' he said,
1--WE had nearly a quarter Of an hour TO
wait before the train came ill., The air Is
soft this morning. Spring has come again,
mother, will 80 in the garden till lunch
time
There was nothing in this to signify men
tai arrangement; the only thing that struck
me was that he spoke with less decision
than Of old, that there was am accent OF de-
pendence in his tone. And ] observed that
the sound of bis footstep was not the same.
At one time should have distinguished it
from a thousand, now | should not have
known il for his. il had been firm and
light and quick, now j. was slow and heavy
and shutting like the step of OLD nge. Mere
Lucas went out with him into the garden
at the back of the house, passing 50 near
the room where l sat that heard the rustic
of her skirt. Did he need her support that
she accompanied him step by stepg What
had they done TO himi Was he manned
for lifef
As theirNoices faded away, suspense be
came iutolprabe ! stole cautiously out Of
the room and along the passage leading to
the garden az the back Approaching the
door, perceived Mere Lucas coming alone
across the lawn toward me. She saw me
and raised her finger TO bid me be SILENT
then. stopping, She glanced back. raised her
two hands and let them fall in pity and
beckoncd me to advance.
went a. Ear as the door, and there on
the threshold ] stopped spellbound. Taras
sat on garden seat on the opposite side Of
the lawn his hands folded idly ON his knee.
1t was strange to see him, Of old 50 nerv-
ously active, sitting motionless without
book. a paper or sketehbook in his hand
with nothing 70 occupy his eager mind, but
it was not chat which made my heart stand
still. His face was turned directly toward
me, and yet he took no notice Of me. /
moved forward a step, stretching out my
hands involuutarily, and still he sat un-
moved and motionless. Then ] knew what
had befallen him-what those hired villains
had done that night lie was blind; they
had destroyed his eyes,
Ny emotion was too deep and terrible for
tears. | could only stand there clasping
my hands in an agony of pity.
The tears were running down Mere Luz
cas- cheeks as She came to my side aud laid
her hand in sympathy upon my arm. She
would have led me away, but | shook my
head, refusing to go.
Gle will sit like that for hours she
Whispered, listening to the birds tits all
he can do.
Silently l crossed the lawn and dropped
upon my knees before him, awestricken
by his passive Inconsistencies, his help
lessness and the calm, sad resignation in
his noble face. In that sweet presence no
bitter feeling could enter my heart. But
when left him my soul was stirred with
vindictive passion, and great craving for
vengeance upon the remorseless villain who
had wrecked the life of his friend possessed
NoNtu NAAftb AAhNdAuEn chbAAN NC
brought TO account, that he should suffer
as he had made Taras suffer. and that if
justice refused to punish him then my hand
should strike the blow.
This burning passion sharpened my wits,
whipped up my tagging energy and re
animated my courage. The necessity of
secrecy was more evident to me now than it
had been hitherto.
"You will not betray me to any one in the
worldy' / said to Mere Lucas
"Isit possible, my poor friend - she asked.
SIS it likely that ! should expose your mis-
/ fortunes when myself am chiefly to blame
for all that has befallen yous Besides, you
forget that / still love you, my dear. Nay,
l will do anything in the world to help
you"
Gould I stay heres'' | asked eagerly,
seized with the unreasoning desire to live
again under the same roof with Taras and
! to watch him day hy day, even if l might
not speak 70 him.
ITO be slse, my dear. answered Mere