Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-02-15
CHAPTER XVIII.

GORDONS RETURN.
My first impulse on reading the telegram
was to telegraph the joyous news toJudith,
but MIR. Pelham, to whom had commune
Gated little by little as my confidence in
him increased, all the principal facts of the
case, overruled my desire.
"probably, as you suggest, said he, Mr..
Gordon's name has been omitted for pru-
Dental reasons, bat there is nothing in it
TO prove that he is in Berlin and it would
be unwise, not TO say cruel, to convey that
belief to Miss Bell until we have positive
assurance that he is beyond the reach of the
Russian police She does not expect him
30 soon, aud it seems to me worth the de-
lay OF scouple of days TO avoid even the
possibility of giving bitter disappoint-
ment."
The bare superstition that Gordon might
not arrive with Ivan Dontremember in
spired me with such poignant regret that |
readily yielded to my solicitors direction,
10 that Judith was at least spared the SOM
Der fears that clouded my bright hopes
Mr.. Pelham and went together to Do
yer, and on saturday morning, hours be-
fore the boat was due, | stationed myself on
the end of the pier. straining my eyes over
the gray waters. At length Il seaman, who
knew what | was looking for, pointed out u
bpeck in the distance and told me it was the
Calais boat Nearer and nearer it came,
and almost as soon as | could distinguish
one passenger from another on the deck
saw a handkerchief futteringon the bridge,
and | made ont the stalwart figure Of
George Gordon. He wore a light colored
Inverness that added to his bulk, Present
~ | discovered the inseparable pipe in his
mouth. Then ! was sure that it was he.
That's he-GeorGe Gordon | cried,
pointing him ont to Mr.. Pelham.
ANA Mr. Dontremcmber-do You see
him"
had forgotten him in my delrous ex-
element. but now | perceived his clGSh
figure in tightly buttoned coat. his APP
pearance made more grotesque by a large
fur cap with the l0ppet turned down and
tied under his chin. Then looking at
George Gordon again and seeing the grin
of delight that spread over his face--a fine
brick red from exposure to the wind-I
felt that | must burst into tears or laugh
ter or go to some such foolish excess.
Even Mr.. Pelham smiled in complaisancc
with me The only one whose face cX-
pressed no JOY was Ivan Dontremcmbcr's.
The voyage had made his complexion livid,
and his eyes had The pathetically stold
look Of the ape, as if he were at II loss to
know what there was in the world for men
and women to laugh Mt.
Then came the meeting, George Gordon
taking me by both hands and kissing me
on each check in the eXu berance of his hap
piness.
"Judith--is she all right" he asked.
YES, yes replied.
And old Taras?"
"IIe is with Judith"
His countenance fell as he noticed the
change in my expression and the hesitation
with which replied. Ivan Dontrcmcmbrr
craned forward to hear my reply, When
Gordon asked
"W hats the mattcr?"
could not reply. The words chohcd me
l shook my head, covering my eyes with
my hand.
He has lost his sight, Mr. Pelham said
coming to my rescue. They have blinded
him.
II told Won bow it would end, '' observed
Ivan Dontremcmbcr calmly exile, mutt
lation or DEATH
George Gordon passed his arm through
mine, and leading me away said gently:
Bear up, little woman. We have got
/ him still with us, and now they have don't
! their worst they will leave him in peace. \
fine fellow like Taras is not dependent fol