Waterbury Democrat., 1900-12-27

Yes" broke in Mrs. Goddard, as if her recital had gained plausibility in being viewed from Blanche's standpoint. "Yes, my attacks have been more ire quent of late and I really feel the need of a decided change"
 As Blanche went out she saw her guardian waiting on the first landing of the stairway, and her heart re- preached her for remaining so long with his wife. for she saw that his inn patience was consuming him. He had nothing to say as she passed; his face was filled with utterances too.vague for words.
 II forgot to say" he said, when Mrs. Goddard had admitted him, that 1 diI not go down to the ship to see your stateroom. You said it was the Cleo patra, l believe"
 ''Yes, dear" she drew him to the seat just vacated by his ward. Tt IS not one Of the fastest liners. Indeed, it tales ten days to reach Liverpool, but for the same price I was able to get absolutely the chief stateroom on the ship. It is on the promenade deck and has private bath and room for Mrs. Nolan adjoining mine. Oh, it has  bed in which l can be thoroughly com fortable!"
 T am glad you have made such good arrangements" responded the major; but l wish you wouldn't go. Jeanne, do you know that you are drawing me into depths of degradation that I would never have reached but for you? For Gods sake let's renounce it all and turn about and try to live pure, honor able lives. l am already tired of the plan.'
 "Bosh!' Her exclamation was full of impatience. Don't show the white feather at this late hour! You want me to continue to love you, and I cannot love anybody as poor as Jobs turkey. So drop that sort of nonsense. l have argued with you all I am going to-"
 "Another thing" he said, cautiously, q don't like the looks of the woman you employed"
 Lucy Nolan, and why, pray?"
 "She doesn't look like an honest woInar."
 A ripping Hugh burst from Mrs. GoGdard's lips.
 What are you amused over?" he asked, slightly piqued.
 That you should expect me to select a prodigy of human goodness to help me carry out the most daring piece of rascality ever born of woman's fertile brain. Dear Rowland, are you jest ing?"
 Do you mean to say that you sus- pcct her to be a dishonest woman?"
 II know that she will do anything I ask for money and keep her mouth shut. I may as we'll tell the truth. used to employ her. She was at the head of my sewing-room. We under stand each othcr.''
 He seemed deeply shocked by this confession. For several minutes he sat staring at her dumbly. Presently he pulled himself together. Later in his life he recalled his reply and regarded it in the light of an inspired prophecy.
 "Jeannc, don't drive me too far,'' he said with d sudden firmness that beat her back into the crafty 'cautiousness from which overcontdence had allowed her to slip. Don't drive me too far. l have always had an ideal-a woman who would be above instead of beneath me in high aspirations, and ii anything should cause me to shake you off. it will be that you draw me down instead Of uPWard.'
 Her face was full of startled concern for a single instant, then she began to smile upon him.
 'Ieave it all to me. then, Rowland 5 she said. ''I am plotting and planning for your interest and mine. All I ask of you is to be silent and obey my or ders. Think of le long years of hap piness before us. Tou never could make me believe that re are doing Blanche any wrong in making the few remain ing months Of her life happy. She con- fesssd to that she loved you only a few minutes ago"
 | EOu are not serious, Jeanne?'
 II never was more so. She has never had moments happiness since you married me. Now, it will be but fair for me to give you to her while she lyes.''
 He made no reply. The freight shone in the face of the enchantress. If he fell under the circumstances, he did nothing but what mans earliest ancestor did for reasons not so clear ly set forth as those which dragged Goddard away from the rugged path of rightdO'~~
 Gro Be Continucd)