Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-03-08

passengers upon the pier we were nearing.
Oh, if Taras might only be among theml
If he would come on board, where | might
feel his presencel 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 that vain hope was gone. But
there was still the chance of seeing him at
the window when the bridge was passed
and / could get an unobstructed view of the
house.
We passed under the bridge, snorting as
the funnel was lowered, and then as the
smoke blew away something seemed to
smite my heart like the blow Of a great
hammer, for, looking back saw the blinds
of all the windows were drawn down.
Great heaven, Taras is deadw That
was my first thought and then, divining
the truth, said TO myself, tThe ear has
conquered.
But this end Of all happiness was too ter
rible to be accepted while any spark OF
doubt remained, and | tried to cheat myself
with hopes as if mere belief could alter
the course of inevitable fate, or hope undo
what was done. tried to explain the drawn
blinds by supposing less dreadful calam-
itv. Poor old Mere Lucas was gone.
Eyes, yes" / said to myself, grasping at
this possibility, Mere Lucas is dead, poor
soulr'
Leaving the boat at Vauxhall pier, hur-
ried along Millbank, repeating this phrase
again and again like a charm, and crossing
Lambeth bridge drew near the old house,
still striving to believe that my eyes had
deceived me- vet faint with dread
could go no farther than the corner OPP
posite the house It's aspect Of desolation
paralyzed my limbs and forced me to cling
to the wall for support. There was no sign
pf life in IT, The shutters of the living
room were closed; the blinds Of the win
dows above drawn The bulbs Taras gave
me to plant in the boxes on my window
sills the last week ] 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 cor
ner of Ferry street one OF the carmen from
the pottery was packing jars in his van.
Needless of the risk ran-for there seemed
no longer any need Of Disguise tottered
across the road, and in a voice made weak
and tremulous by emotion / asked him if
he could tell me where Nine Lucas lived
mime. Lucas, he responded carelessly,
still packing away the jars. "Oh, she's
gone away. She used to live in the house
down there as is shut up now. She's been
gone ever since Christmas.
"Does-does any one live there nowf"
faltered.
mo. Look here, missis,n he added,
strengthening himself and scratching his
head, you're upset my counting along Of
your questions. Here, Bill Wright" he
called to a young man who was arranging
more jars against the wall, heres party
wants TO know something about Nine Lu-
cas-
81 only wanted to know where could
find her, said timidly.
shes living now down in Surrey along
with Mr.. Taras," said William Wright
He is not dead'" ! gasped.
II haven't heard of his dying, mum,
though l know he was very bad before he
left"
My heart leaped at this. Oh, If Taras
were only i'll there was yet hopel
"Can you tell me where ] can find him
Mime. Lucas, meanP'
Il know it's Working way where they
live now. Betterford thinks the name
Of the place, but can't be sure"
Here, " said the carman, run round to
the hofiice, old lady, and ask for Mr.. kava-
nagh. lie knows Hand us mp them quarts,
BILL
At that name recognized the rashness Of
my folly. albeit neither the earn nor
William Wright had seen through my dis
CAUSE.-THE reckless madness into which my
fear had led me. Nevertheless within an
hour was on my way to Betterford.