Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-27

possibly have known that I knew of her, or had the slightest intention of con- sulsing her, she gave me a clear, true outline of my past life"
 ''Very strange, indeed" said Blanche. "It was, to be sure," went on Mrs. Goddard. And what she told me of the past made me dread more than ever her first statement. presently found courage to ask her what she meant by that allusion.
 "'Iou are about to take a voyage,' said she. after moments reflection, and, while you may come back safely, I am afraid you will die away from your native land.'
 "'Would you advise me to stay at home:' I asked her.
 No. you need not try to escape your fate,' she answered. Tn fact. your impulse to go away from America is a step il the right direction, and if you have to die it would De better to die while trying to atone for that which you regret so sincerely
 'tlow very awful!' exclaimed Blanche. The recital had really ex- cited her beyond description. Her warning has brought all the good there is in me to the surface," de- cIared Mrs. Goddard. T want 10 stop right now and try to beat q retreat md disentangIe myself from the tolls my sin has wound around me" The speakers voice dWindled away into si- fence. Then she seemed 10 make re- solve to be more candid than ever.
 "Blarche," she sighed, q have not told you the worst yet. l have wronged you more than did him-nore than I ever did anybody in my life, because you were so young at the time, and I struck you from the dark" ! "Wronged me-" The girl drew her self up with a sudden intuition of what sas coming.
 Yes, you, my poor, innocent child. When the major first began to come to see me il was simply that he might pour his love for you into a. a.sympathetic ear. He was madly in love with you. lie could talk of nothing but his beauti- fu. ward. l had heard of his riches, and 1 at once set about to dethrone you. l laid the most adroit plans to se- cure his attentions. used all the wiles in my power. It was an awful strug- gle, but the prize was big one in my sight. l was heartily tired of the sor- did life l was leading and was fired with the ambition to be a social leader ito use the arts l felt 1 was born with When Ee fell it was very sudden. Then , ] pretcnded that ! was trying to re- . treat because he was rich and I was poor. but that only intl2 2med him all ! the more, as l knew it would. You know the rest. Now. you may hate me, for if it had not been for me he would have gone on loving you. aad-and you would have made him happier than ! can, for-oh, Blanche. 1 know your se- cret. and that has been part of my pun ishment! l have ruined both your life and his"
 .- Why do you tell me all this?" asked Blanche, bitterly, and. unwilling o dis claim the accusation just uttered, she put her hands to her face and began to trembIe from head to foot.
 Why do I tell you about it?" said Mrs Goddard. a cold. snaky gleam in Ter eyes, "because if anything were to happen to me l want you to remem- Der that l now say that God selected you for his bride and Satan and l thWarted the plan. Therefore, remem- Der tEat-if 1 should die abroad (vou see. l cannot forget that woman's un- caEny P"eoictiOn)-I want you to con- sole him at once by marrying him as soon as !e asks you"
 Oh. thiSis simply dreadful." Blanche uncoTcred her white face and stared GXedly at the woman.
 Il know it," was the answer. "but see that you keep what I have told you to yourself. Blanche, you cannot deny that you have loved him long time."
 ''I dent intend to- said the con- que-ed girl. lie is the best man that ever liveG-the noblest. the truest, the most abused. If you had only made him happy-but you have net; he is beside himself with grief over your depar- ture.'
 That is true, but it can't be helped. Now leave me. I feel very unhappy to- night-unh2ppy because I have made you so. l am not all bad"
 Blanche rose. She was like a boat bUtfcted by conflicting currents. She believed Jeanne to be re1norseful be- cause her confessed deeds appeared so horrible to.hcr unsu!iiod mind.
 T am so sorry for you," she was enabled to say sincerely.
 t'Wil you kiss ne. Blanche?"
 ''Nes, for am sorry for you, in spite of--''
 "I know" broke in Mrs Goddard, and she kissed the girl on the lips. It was just such a kiss as she bestowed on her husband a thousand times, and il had never failed to deceive him. II made our heroine shiver.
 Il have another trouble, Blanche.' .' and Mrs. Goddard pressed her hand upon her white brow. My father was insane when he died. That's the, other secret. lie had strange fancies. otter have them, tco. Awful de,usions. rnrfS
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