Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-02-01
CHAPTER NLII.

] would have sprung up and retained
Mere Lucas to learn the worst and end my
suspense, but fear unnerved me and made
me powcrless to 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
mcn--kavanagh : agents-donc to him that
night when they called him to the door?
Had they inflicted such injuries as to de
prive him of reason? That was the greatest
calamity could imagine.
He was in the hall now. Every word he
spoke was distinctly audible.
"Oh, there was plenty Of time he said,
1--WE had nearly Il qualJc: Of an hour to
wait before the train came in The air is
soft this morning. Spring has come again,
mother ! will 20 i'll 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 an accent of de
pendence in his tone. And | observed that
the sound of his footstcp was not the same.
AT one time | should have distinguished it
from thousand, now | should not have
known it for his. II had been firm and
light and quick, now il was slow and heavy
and shutting. like the step Of old age. Mere
Lucas went ont with him into the garden
at the back of the house, passing so near
the room where sat that heard the rustic
of her skirt Did he need her support that
she accompanied him step by step, What
had they done to him? Was he manned
! for life
I As their voices faded away, suspense be
came intolerable. | stole cautiously out OF
the room and along the passage leading tc
! the garden at 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 hen
/ two hands and let them fall in pity and
( beck oned me to advance.
| | went as far as the door, and there or
the threshold | stopped spelbound. Tara,
sat on garden seat on the opposite side o.
I the lawn, his hands folded idly on his knee
/ 1t was strange to see him, of old so merry
ously active, sitting motionlcss wit
: book, a paper or skctchbook in his hand
| with nothing To occupy his eager mind, bu
it was not that which made my heart stant
! still His face WAS turned directly toward
| me, and vet he took no notice of me-
/ moved forward IA step, stretching out my
hands involuntarily, and still he sat un
! moved and motionle>s. Then knew VIVA
had befallen him-what those hired villain
| had done that night. He was blind; the,
! had destroyed his eyes.
My emotion was too deep and terrible 70
tears. | could only stand there claspin.
| nv hands i'll an agony OF pity.
The tears were running down Mere La
cas- cheeks as She came to my side and lai,
her hand in sympathy upon my arm. Sh
would have led me away, but shook m
head, refusing to go.
He will sit like that for hours" sh
whispered, listening to the birds. 1t is al
he can do
Silently / crossed the lawn and droppe
upon my knees before him, awestricke
by his passive unconsciousness, his helT
lessness and the calm, sad resignation i
his noble face. In that sweet presence II
bitter feeling could enter my heart Blu
when left him my soul was stirred wit
vindictive passion, and great craving fo
vengeance upon the remorseless villain VIII
had wrecked the life of his friend possesse
me. | vowed that Kavanagh should L
brought to account, that he should sulfe
rs he had made TaraS suffer, and that
justice refused to punish him then my han
should strike the blow.
This burning passion sharpened my wit
whipped up my tagging energy and r,
animated my courage. The necessity
secrecy was more evident to me now than
had been hitherto.
you will not betray me 10 any one in {
world?n | said to Mere Lucas.
"Isit possible, my poor friend? p she asked
SIS it likely that should expose your mi
fortunes when myself am chiefly to blam
for all that has befalen youY Besides, 20
forget that | still love you, my dear Ma,
| will do anything in the world to bel
you"
Gould | stay here" | asked eagerl,
seized with the unreasoning desire To Ii,
again under the same roof with Taras an
to watch him day by day, even if | migl
not speak to him.
ITO be sure, my dear" answered Mel