Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-24

of the malGS told me apOut IL. 5Sne pretended to be confined to her room with a headache. but in reality she spent the two days in tears. She keeps diary; it has lock and key, but one day I found it open and read her heart. She not only loves you, but she has worshiped you since she was IS years old. You have thought she was happy at Lyndhurst. The truth is she has not had one content cd moment there. She dislkes me and imagines me unworthy of you, and that has only irritated her pas sion."
 Jeanne" said the major, q can hardly believe all this, but even if it were true, what has it to do with this awful breach between you and me"
 "You must have her money or I shall never be content as long as l live.' The speaker paused as if to let her statement settle into his dis turbed consciousness, then she ended: 'You must have it, or l cannot live with you any longer"
 You mean-'' he was unable to pro- ceed.
 q mean that you and I. Rowland, without harming the girl in the slight est, can, after her death, live the rest of orr lives on that money, over half of which you have fairly earned by your business care and judgment"
 II don't see how we can do it," Goddard said, after he had endeavored to fathom her meaning.
 ''She has only two years to live at the very longest, dear. It would mean a temporary separation between you and me, but in the end we could make up for it. My plan is this: She loves you and would marry you within & week after my death if you asked her. I shall go abroad at once. and while I am away absolute proof of my death shall be brought to you and the au- thorities in America. Soon after this you must marry Blanche and get pos session of her fortune. Then when she dies I shall manage to show that my death was a mistake and shall come back to you.''
 My God, Jeanne! don't-don't ask this of me!''
 Goddard covered his face with his hands. His wife removed them gently and put her left arm around his neck.
 Darling, it would be the easiest thing in the world to accomplish, and then just think of all the after years of happiness which we shall spend to- gether.'
 T can't do it, Jeanne-I simply am not made that way!"
 Have you considered that you and l part. then, to-night?'
 You can't mean that?" he cried.
 Absolutely. I shall not go back to Lyndhurst unless you fully agree to my proposal. Even then it will only be for week while l am allaying sus- picion and preparing for my voyage"
 Jeanne, l simply cannot do this,' groaned Goddard; T simply cannot do it!"
 The woman rose and stood before him at her full height. She had never looked so queenly-her influence over him had never been so great. She strode back and forth across the room with all the grace and beauty which 1 had enthralled his senses a year before.
 Suddenly she stepped up to him and Laid hand upon his shoulder which | commanded him like the touch of a | hypnotist upon a good subject. You know. Rowland. that another rich man wanted to make me his wife when I consented to marry you?" He remembered that she had told him something of the kind just before the wedding, and how that fact had hastened his marriage He nodded.
 T remember"
 "He has not married" said Mrs | Goddard, in a tone of deep signif, | canoe; "and still he wants me, and ] could easily secure divorce from you on the ground that you failed to com ply with your agreement in regard to certain money and property which was to be settled upon me- Would you treat me that way?' he asked. and she saw him blindly yielding.
 'Id have to. I cannot be poor woman any longer; you understood that when you married me, dear man It is you who are failing to keeE promises. Now. if you will say yes will kiss you and you may stay here tonight. If not we must actually part company" She bent down over him; her eyes seemed to glow with flames kindled by the highest satanic art.
 Two years without you" he gasped.
 ''She may not live month" He was as white as dead man.
 But how could you come back from | from death and-and satisfy public opinion?"
 'The easiest thing in the world Leave that to me-
 She saw his fears and good impulse! returning, and to drive them, ava. she sat down by him and put both hel arms round his neck.
 Say yes, dear Rowland" she whis pered, "and then you may kiss me.'
 He made no answer other than t push her head back passionately, ant then gazing into her eyes an instan he kissed her on the mouth and drev her to him.
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