Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-22
CHAPTER IT.

Maj. Goddard spent all the next day in the city busy over some legal mat ters connected with his recent losses. He missed his usual train and was forced tC take one an hour later. In consequence of this delay'it was dark when he arrived home. The drawing room was lighted, and through the window he saw Blanche and his pri- vate secretary, Mir. Hubert Talley, at the piano, but he did not enter. All day he had been worrying over his wife's recent morOseness, and he did not want to lose a moment before seeing her. He fancied she must be in her own apartment, so he went up stairs to her door. It was closed. He rapped gently, but received no re- sponse from within. He rapped again, but with no better result; then he tried the latch and found the door locked. For a moment he stood mas tered by thoughts which both contra dicted and confirmed each other. Then he remembered that the door was the only outlet from the room to the main stairway, and as there was no light to be seen through the key hole he half persuaded himself that
 
 He turned quickly into his own apartment across the hall and turned on the electric light. His first thought was that he would change his dress before joining the others, but his inn patience to see his wife defeated this idea and he hurried downstairs.
 He looked into the library, a large, cozy apartment opposite the drawing room. A coal fire was burning warm and red in the grate, but the room was empty. Just then the butler, Wilkins, opened the folding doors and a view of the electricGghted dining hall in it's vast splendor of white cloth, silver and cut-glass met God dard's rowing eye.
 Has Mrs Goddard come down." i the major asked.
 1T did not know she had returned, sir''
 Returned! from where?'
 Prom the city, sir. She went in this afternoon
 To the city. at what time?'
 "She caught the 1:40 train;" it was Blanehe's voice behind him. and it contained a note of startled concern. "She said she would go direct to your office and return with you"
 'I have not seen her; my God! what can have happened to her?"
 Blanche motioned the butler to re- tire, and he did so, discreetly closing the door.
 The major was deathly pale and his hanGs qIivered as with palsy. For a moment he could only stare into the l bnti of hn like a shapely pillar of consolation stood before him.
 Blanche, do you think-thizk she has SoEe?" he asked
 II can't say, dear, dear guardian. I hope not. Don't give up.'' | He seemed to have sudden ;nspira- l ton.
 Come into ny study" he said.
 She followed and stood in the dark as he fumbled with the electric light fixture. In a moment the little room was illuminated. He pointed to a big iron safe in the corner, and said, huskily:
 "She could not go without means. She saw me put $5,oo0 away yester- day. She has always known the com bination.''
 "Oh, she wouldn't dare to take your money!" exclaimed Blanche.
 'She knew I had deposit in the oank,'' he said; besides, what is mine $ hers. She knows that" . With trembling fingers he turned the combination bolt. In moment he heavy door was opened. He drew put a strong box from one of the com !. Dartments in the safe and raised the id.
 The money was gone. ssge That settles it! T Goddard said ssnis with more calmness than Blanche IsAad expected, but it was; the caImness Fl sof uttersdespair. He closed the bos almost with scrupulous exactness .1 then shut and locked the door of the safe. He went back into the library : and stood before the fire. his lirsf . hands clasped in front of him. | Tell me what to do. Blanche,n hs