Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-05-22
touching my warHs welfare should

titled.
''She never will get we'll or be her
old self till-pardon me-till you cease
to treat her as You do"
II don't follow you," said the major,
slightly embarrassed.
Miss Dean sat down, holding the
parcel in her lap.
II am saying something Blanche
would never forgive" she went on,
'but you are not blind, Maj. Goddard.
You must have known that Blanche's
whole life was wrapped up in You be-
fore she left school,
The major was looking at a particu-
lar figure in the carpet with unnatu-
raj steadiness, and he did not raise
his eyes.
do you think so, Miss Dean?"
81 know it, declared the champion
of one woman's rights. "She and
were intimate in school. She knew
my heart-I knew hers. I hated you,
sir, when heard you had married a
the woman you did marry, after
having led such confding young
creature as Blanche to believe you
were in love with her and spoiled the
life intrusted to you. You did this,
sir.''
Goddard started. He had never i'm
agined such strong condemnation
could come to him from such source.
He found himself unable to formulate
a reply. Miss Dean, now hot and
flushed. continues:
you might at least treat the poor
child decently. She will never get
we'll as long as she frets about you as
she is doing. She has hardly slept an
hour any night since your sad news
arrived. Don't you see she can't put
out the fires you kindled in her
heart? If you were happy she might
do so, but seeing the man one loves
in constant misery is enough to kill
any organization as sensitive and del
icate as Blanche's. If she could only
see you once a day and feel that you
look upon her as a friend she would
not suffer so, but you are always
away"
Il thank you tor-for speaking so
plainly and showing me my duty"
stammered Goddard Il have been
very selfish
He was about to make a reference
to the dread malady which was laying
siege to the life of his ward, but, re-
membering his promise to Jeanne not
to speak of it, and fearing Miss Deans
indiscretion, he held his tongue on
that point.
Gould I see her now, do ecu
think?" he added, contritely.
Yes; let me send her down to you"
said Miss Dean, impulsively.
Il shall wait here" he said. And Is
Miss Dean left the room he decided no
longer to try to Stem the tide which
seemed bearing hi,0. he knew not
whittier. He walked the floor till
Blanche came. Her sweet young face
showed the ravages of a tortured spirit,
but it now shone with a light CT antici-
patton.
did you want to see me, guardian?"
AS she spoke, she held out her hands.
He took them and stood for moment
gravely looking into her eyes.
"You have been unhappy, Blanche ?"
he said.
"How could I be otherwise. and
you" her voice failed her ard she
coughed to disclaim that it was due
to rising emotion.
II know I have not done my duty"
he said. But I want to begin.
Blanche, would you like to have me
stay more at home than I have since
since Jeanne went away"
''Oh, I wish you would" she an
swered, quickly. "You can't imagine
how l have worried. You know could
not tell what might have happened
to you.''
"Blanche." He felt something grasp
his heart as he hesitated. 1t may have
been the hand of his conscience-the
revolving of his better nature. Then
something like the worst form of his
recent despair seemed to settle on his
brain. He felt that he was cropping
towards the accomplishment of an I'M
pardonable deed.
blanche, if were to ask you to be
my wife, would you consent-could
you, knowing how I feel about the
the other?''
He felt her soft warm hands grasp
his tightly. For a moment she stood
with eyes downcast, then she looked
up and said frankly:
IF you wished it should be so glad,
for something tells me I could then
help you, and to do that is what am
certainly praying for"
Would you consent to an early mar
riage?"
II should want to do as you liked
about it,
would you not care for what peo-
pie would say about our haste in such
a matter?''
II should not care at ALL" She was
breathing rapidly. II should feel that
I was acting right
He hesitated a moment; then he
said:
Twill you marry me tomorrow? Rev.
Mr.. Strothers lives about a mile from
here, along the river. Talley can first
see him and make the arrangements.
Will you drive there in the morning
and become my wife?''
IF it is your wish, yes.'
He drew her head towards him and
for a moment it rested on his shoulder.
For an instant a memory of his court
ship OF her during her school days
flashed into his mind and he expert
enced one of the old thrills which had
made him feel so much like boy again.
Then he put her from him.
BE ready, then, by II o'clock" he
said. II shall speak to Talley at
once"
TTn Re C0nfinne6l