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

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 wife? That was the
more probable superstition. Judith was
not a homeless, friendless waif, to whom
such 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
rage? To the station undoubtedly, and
thence to London. might see him again
at the station If hurried. But l did not
stir from the spot. The thought of seeing
him again with her cut my heart like a
sharp knife. / felt it 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-
.as would be alone | might call upon her
and make inquiries, taking care to conceal
my identity and my purpose IN case there
might vet 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
auaking 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 broad bow under her
double chin first catching my eye. She
opened the door and gry eted me with A
serious inclination of the head, her full
lips pursed up and a 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 TINT
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
mes"
She Shareholder lips fell-she turned me
quickly to the light and exclaimed:
mon Dieul Ii has come to this You
have retunedY'
For minute establishment 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.
II know he is not, - | said. Il have seen
him. He passed me in 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 met"
Eyes, yes, Mere Lucas, l faltered pit
eously.
Her GOODNESS and formality perpleXed
me. l 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 WELL" she asked, with
hesitation in her voice,
Monsieur" echoed interrogatively.
M Gordon"
ayes, but il Is 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-"and /
Rln wretched and unhappy
l rose and went toward her, and she,
springing up, broke through the barrier Of
reserve and clasped me in her arms, she'd
ding tears Of affectionate sympathy.
"Ah, my poor dear" she whimpered,
1--WE are wretched and unhappy, all Of us.
and this is no time to bear grudges, one
against the other Ny heart melted the
moment you told me who you were. for
know how cruelty you must have suffered
to come down to this But / felt that
ought not 70 forgive you all at once for de
oeiyingus as you did, and look you it seemed
as if you had no feeling for any Of us not
10 send one word to us IN our trouble. No
matter, That is all past, and we VIII for
get il as best we eau. There. there said
She drawing me down on chair cljsa by
her side aud nursing my band ON her knee,
I'VE ARE friends again, but you must not ex-
pect me to feel just the same toward you as
Il nothing had happened. Then, still sur
veying me with plying astonishment, she
said, "And is il true, my poor soul, that
your hair has turned gray through all these
hariships.n
"No-that Is false hair don't want any
one to know me"
"No, no. of course not.
II didn't intend to let you know me, but
l could not help it,"
4 promise you will tell noone. Noone
shall hear "A word Of this from me, no, not
even my poor master, aud for very good
reason-it would break his heart 10 know
TI1-iT