Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1894-03-17


Anxious now to get back and learn the
result of the solicitors application to Mr..
Lazarus, l ran, as soon as | turned the
bend Of the road, that might not miss the
train. But presently the sound of wheels
behind obliged me to change my pace to
one more in keeping with the character of
a gray headed woman. The sound drew
nearer and nearer; couple of shaggy dogs
raced by me, and then, as i turned my
head, the carriage ratified past. 1t was an
open carriage; a gentleman and young
lady sat on the back seat. She was on the
further side, and speaking to him; her face
was toward me. his inclined toward her in
a listening attitude. They did not notice
me--the smile on their faces was unchanged
but at the sight of them | stopped as II
lightning from the heavens had shot down
and struck me, for in that inomentary
glance | recognized both. He was Taras---
she Judith stood by a roadside watch.
ing the receding carriage In blank dismay,
till the curve of the road hid it from my
sight.
What did it meant asked myself In a
frenzy of Jealous terror Why was Judith
by his side, smiling in his facei Had she
taken my place, having lost Gordoni Had
Taras given-up .all expectation Of my re
turn and made her his companion in my
stead' Had he gone still further than
that and made her his wifet That was the
more probable supposition. Judith was
not homeless, friendless waif, to whom
such a position could be given as the sole
escape from destruction. With the con
ventional views of her class, she would con.
sent TO live under his roof only as his wife
Where were they going now in that car
riagef To the station undoubtedly, and
thence TO London. might see him again
at the station If hurried. But ] did not
stir from the spot. The thought of seeing
him again with her cut my heart like
sharp knife. felt 1t would be better for
me if never saw him again. Better for
him too.
Suddenly it occurred to me that If Taras
and Judith were gone to London Mere Lu-
cas- would be alone. might call upon her
and make inquiries, taking care to conceal
my identity and my purpose in case there
might yet be necessity for concealment
The iron gates were unfastened. pass
ed through and walked up the broad path
to the house There was no need to assume
the infirmity Of agony steps faltered with
quaking fear; my failing courage gave me
scarcely the strength to ring the bell when
! reached the house. Through the glazed
doors / saw Mere Lucas coming across the
hall in response to my feeble summons
with ponderous step, her white cap with
the strings tied in a broad bow under her
double chin first catching my eye. She
opened the door and gr eted me with q
serious inclination of the head, her full
lips pursed up and slight expression of
mistrust upon her face as she took in
my shrinking attitude and shabby appear
ance
My back was to the light. She could not
recognize me, and it was only natural that
she should receive me in that manner, but
the strangeness of it frightened mel was
SO used to think of her beamiug with kind
ness and genial warmth. Everything had
changed so in these past few months that
a return to the happy conditions Of old
seemed impossible.
| tried to recollect the phrases | had re-
hearsed for the occasion coming along, but
my memory played me false, and after
stammering a few incoherent words in
French and English | abandoned the at
tempt to disguise myself in desperation
and cried in a broken voice:
''Oh. Mere Lucas, don't you remember
mef"
She Shareholder lips fell-she turned me
quickly to the light and exclaimed:
Mon Dieul 1t has come to this. You
have returned?"
For minute astonishment bewildered
her; the muscles of her face were agitated
by conflicting emotions; then, recovering
her self possession, she composed her fea-
lures and with severe gravity told me that
monsieur was not at home.
Il know he is not" said. II have seen
him. He passed mein the road. did not
speak to him. did not wish him to know
me-"
"One can understand that" she replied
significantly. Has madame come to speak
to mel"
"Yes. yes. Mere Lucas" faltered pit
eously.
Her GOODNESS and formality perplexed
me. could not understand why she called
me madame now that had revealed my
self My embarrassment touched the good
old woman. and she broke the painful 81
lence.
Monsieur is quite wells" she asked. with
besitation in her voice.
"Monsieuri" ! echoed interrogatively.
m. Gordon"
"Yes,' but it is q long time since left
him, and have travelled long, long way
to come here. and find everything changed
and altered. and-and-" impulsively Civ
ing way to my feelings, | sobbed-'tand ]
am wretched and unhappy"
! rose and went toward her. and she,
springing up. broke through the barrier of
reserve and clasped me in her arms, shed
ding tears of affectionate sympathy.
"Ah, my poor dear" she whimpered.
I'VE are wretched and unhappy. all Of us,
and this is no time to bear grudges, one
against the other My heart melted the
moment you told me who you were, for !
know how cruelty you must have suffered
to come down to this. But I felt that
ought not to forgive you all at once for de
ceiving usas YOU did. and look you itseemed
as IL you had no feeling for any Of MS not
to send one word to us in our trouble Nc
matter That is all past, and We will for
get it rs best we can. There, there" said
she, drawing me down on chair close bS
her side and nursing my hand on her knee.
I'VE are friends again, but you must not ex
pect me TO feel just the same toward you rs
If nothing had happened" Then, still sur