Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-02-23
CHAPTER XII.
nAcr rvyr-N-ro

! ohOuiu nave OuU Lue
whole truth to clear myself and Gordon
from this monstrous imputation, but that
while.I WAS pausing for the words to come
Mere Lucas said:
lone may live to be 90 and yet be no wiser
for it, look you. An old woman may mistake
the good for the bad and the bad for the good
like an inexperienced child. Look, for ex
ample, how shamefully misjudged that
good NJ. Kavanagh"
Again that name brought me to my
senses.
DO you see Mr.. Kavanagh oftenw
asked.
"Oh. there's not week passes but he
comes down to spend day or two with us
don't know what we should do without
him in our misfortune"
looked around, at loss to know what
misfortune she alluded to.
ut seems very pleasant here" ventured
to observe.
pleasant Is not the word for it, my
dear, ITS paradise" she said in a most
melancholy tone. II should like you to
see the rooms. They are beautiful, and it
is no trouble to keep them nice, for here
there is no dust, no smoke. nc smuts, and
the linen keeps its color ami does not need
washing every day. And the Rardeni it Is
real picture already with spring flowers.
IL one Of the reasons why NJ. Kavanagh
bought it."
"Mr. Kavanagh bought itw l said in per-
plexity
He bought It for my poor master, be-
cause, look you''-the old woman paused,
her thick lips quivered. and she put her
| To har nj L
said he must 60 where he could hear
birds"
Twas touched by the old woman's grief,
though still at a loss to understand the
cause of 1t.
"And there's kitchen garden" she pur-
sued somewhat inconsequently. 1.-THE
young radishes are ready for the table. To
look at them gives one an appetite"
She dried her eyes, but in the same
mournful voice continues:
IA poultry yard, too. and the fowls are
laying more eggs than know what to do
with-delicious eggs, with white like q
curd. You saw the carriage'"
ayes"
IN Kavanagh found that for us also, and
johnson, the driver. a most obliging man,
who manages the garden and is always will
ing to do anything for me-"
She heaved a quivering sigh and shook
her head mournfully.
perhaps you don't care for q country
life'" suggested
Mon Dieul would never leave It for
an hour If could help it,"
"Do you find the house too larger Is
there more than you can do."
mot bit. The house is large, to be sure.
hut L.
NJ. Kavanagh said we must have plenty Of
rooms for friends when they come to see
| Us. but up to now the master has not had
the wish to invite many people here. It is
| enough for him to see NJ. kavanagh now
and then and to have Miss Judith to walk
with him and tap the piano in the evening""
"Miss Judith" They were not married
| then. But my jealousy leaped into flame
again as learned that Taras was satisfied
with her society alone. and an envious pang
shot through me to know that she had
found a means Of pleasing him that was be-
yond me.
docs she play welli" asked hoarsely
Mere Lucas lip twitched again.
II can't tell you," she said. when they
begin to play music, 60 upt my room. It
is more than can bear"
| as she always herei" asked.
"She has been here ever since Christmas
and that was all through M. Kavanagh,
for. you see, she was q governess at his
sisters, and he persuaded her to let Miss
Judith come, seeing that the master could
not do without some one. She has gone up
to London today"
II saw her."
"There are pigeons. too" Mere Lucas
proceeded after a moments somber reflec-
ton. II heard young ones squeaking up
in the hayloft week ago. l must ask
Mr.. johnson to fetch them down for me
when they're big enough for the spit. Yes,
there Is everything the imagination can de-
sire here; but, mon Dieu, what are all these
things worth if one hasn't the heart to en-
joy them'"
But" l urged in perplexity. why
haven't you the hearth"
Because it is living-because it has feel
ing in it." she replied f1ercely. Then, see
ing by my face that it was not want Of
feeling that made me dull, she said:
You know what has happened to the
master?'
II know nothing. came here to learn
what has passed since went away"
You saw him this morning?"
For a moment. He was smiling,
thought"
What. my poor dearl You have heard
nothings 1t was in the papers,"
II have not seen any papers. l have
been-a long way from England"
Forgive me-" she said earnestly, taking
both my hands and looking with pity in
ny face, forgive me. thought you must
know, and that your heart had grown hard
and selfish, benumbed with its own pain.
Oh, my dear friend, if it is still sensible to
the misfortunes of others. you have terri
BILE grief to bear From my soul pity
you"
Tell me all" entreated.
Mon Dieul You shake like leaf now.
How can | soften the blowt What can l
say to give you couragei How can | be
gin;"
Tell me all, repeated. Begin from
the day went away"
Our troubles began then, to be suraL l
was surprised when took in the breakfast
that morning to find the master sitting
alone. i am afraid mademoiselle feels un-
well this morning. said he. She was ill
yesterday, and last night she did not come
down to wish US good night" See if she
would like cup Of tea In her room.' Then
went up, and finding your room empty
and the bed unused | called the master.
feeling that he must see this with his own
eyes to believe it. He looked very grave,
Il. ~ las Ill