Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-21
CHAPTER XXXlX.
TAR MADNESS or FEAR.

Jog TO be near Taras, to pass the house
In which he lived-the house with
which the dearest. the happiest AssociA-
lions OF my life were connected. and
after resisting the temptation as long
rs could, wandering about the city
with the endeavor to distract my
thoughts bv looking In the shops,
took turning down to the river. aud
at the first station stepped on board a
Chelsea steamer.
rs IL likely" asked myself, "that
shall DO seen by any one know?" Nov
ertheless 10 was the hope OF seeing Taras,
II but afar of, that led me into this
imprudence, for, despite my disguise,
| knew that Twas doing wrong-that
l was jeopardizing the escape OF Cor
don, the safety OF Taras himself-by
exposing myself even TO the remote
chance OF discovery. Most OF the peo-
pie on board looked like Lam beth folk.
A gentleman was waiting on toe Tenn
pie pier who, In the distance, looked
like kavanagh.
L shivered with suppressed excite
ment "a We drew nearer aud nearer to
the spot in which all my fondost hopes
were conferred. My heart beat wildly
as | caught sight OF the kilns beyond
Westminster, my head swan, and every
object grew dim and indistinct before
my eyes "a the boat crossed toward
Lambeth pier.
Prudence told me that here at least
ought To go below or screen myself, for
every man on the pier knew mo we'll by
sight. But / was deaf TO every voice,
| blind to every danger / even raised
| my veil that l might better scan tho
faces OF the passengers upon the pier
we were nearing. oh, " Taras might
only be among theml II he would
come on board, where I might feel his
presence! There were three or four
familiar faces close TO me when we ran
alongside, but not his ! stood up and
strained my eyes as the late passengers
ran down the footbridge. He was not
among them, and the vain hope was
| gone. But there was still the chance
OF seeing him at the window when the
bridge was passed and / could get al
unobstructed view OF tho house.
We passed under the bridge, snortIng
as the the funnel was lowered, and then
as the smoke blew away something
seemed TO smite my heart like the blow
! OF great hammer, for, looking back,
l saw the blinds OF all the window vs.
were drawn down.
Great heavens, Tarns Is dead"
! That was my last thought, and, then.
divining the truth, said To myself,
The car has conquered"
But this end OF all happiness was too
terrible TO be accepted while any spark
| or doubt remained, and 1 tried to- cheat
myself with hope-as II mere belief
| could alter the course OF Inevitable fate
or hope undo what was done I tried
| TO explain the drawn blind by surprising
less dreadful calamity. Poor old Mere
Lucas was gone.
"Ges. yes" / said to myself, grasp
ing at this possibility, "Mere Lucas is
| dead poor SOUL"
Leaving the boat at VauxhalI pier I
! hurried along Millbank, repeating this
| phrase again and again like n charm.
and crossing Lambeth bridge drew
near the old house, still striving to be-
lieve that my eyes had deceived mo, yet
faint with dread.
could go no father than tho corner
opposite the house. Its aspect of des-
olatiou paralyZed my limbs aud forced
me to cling TO the wall for support.
There was no sign OF life in IL. The
shutters OF the living room were closed:
the blinds OF the windows above drawn.
The bulbs Taras gave NE to plant in
the boxes on my window stills the last
week L was with him had lowered and
faded, The withered blooms hung
over the edge. Even the foliage had
dropped for want Of attention. At the
corner OF Ferry street one OF the car
men from the pottery was packing lars
In his van. Needless OF the risk ran
for there seemed no longer any need
Of disguise--I tottered across the road.
aud in voice made weak and tremu-
lous by emotion asked him n he could
tell me where Nine. Lucas lived.
mime. Lucas" he responded care.
lessly, still packing away the Jars. "Ob.
she's gone away. She used TO live I'm
the house down there as Is shut up now.
She's been gone ever since Christmas
"Does-does any one live there now?D
fsltered.
mo. Look here, missis." he added.
STRENGTHENING himself and scratching
bis head, "you're upset my counting
along Of your question. Here, Blll
Wright" be called 20 a young man
who was arrsging more jars against
the wall, here's party wants to know
something about Nine. Lucas"
II only wanted TO know where could
find her," j said timidly.
shes living now down In Surrey
along with Mr.. Taras," said William
Wright.
He is not dead?" gaspsd.
81 haven't heard OF his dying, man.
though ] know be was very bad before
he left"
My heart leapsJ at this. Oh. n Ia
ras we're only iIl there was yot hopei
"Can you tell me where I can find
hmm me. Lucas, I meau?"
Il know Ne Woklng way where they
live now. Betteriord i things the name
OF the place, but can't be sure"
Here" said the carman, run ronnd
% the hofice, old lady. and ask FOR SIR.
Kavanagb. He knows. Hand as on
them quarts, Bill"
Al that name recognized the rash
ness Of my folly, albeit neither the car
man nor William Wright had seen
through nv disguise--the eckless mad
ness into which my fear had led me.
Nevertheless within an hour I was on
my way TO Betterford.