Out of the Jaws of Death (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XLI. A STRANGE DISCOVERY. It was dark when I reached Woking. The ticket collector at the station told me that I had to go three good miles. He had heard there were new people at Betterford Grange, but didn't know their names, though he was told they were foreigners. The Grange was this side of the village, and the first house after passing the "Wheatsheaf," which was about half-way, and I couldn't miss it, as it stood just on the edge of the common as you come through the fir woods. With this information I left him, and, following his direction, came at last upon the open common, and there, standing back from the road, was the Grange--its twisted chimneys and many gables thrown into relief by a background of moonlit cloud. The front faced the common. Looking through the iron gates up the yew-bordered carriage drive I saw a light on the lower floor. I felt that Taras was there. Clinging to the bars of the gate, I gazed at the light with such joy as I think they must feel who reach a shrine after long and weary pilgrimage. I gave myself up to sentiment, and suffered my emotions to have unrestrained play. Solitude, the stillness of the night, the slowly creeping clouds that mounted the heavens, the feeling of unattained and yet attainable happiness--all conduced to this devotional ecstasy. Gradually my ideas took material form. He had been ill, but that was past--oh, I was certain now of that. What was he doing in the room there with the light? It was too late for dinner; probably he was reading. I seemed to see him in a cozy chair near the fire, his shoulder inclining toward the light, a book in his hand, smoking with that grave, sweet look in his placid face which I knew so well. But he was alone, and the thought of his feeling such desolation as t...