The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-03-22

enthusiasm and to1d me auout ner.
Then you remember, when you intro
duced me to her, how her rare beauty,
her wonderful personality swept me
off my feet in admiration. Why, old
man, felt like shouting for Joy when
you told me she was to be your wife,
''rhen l met the other" said God
dard
"Ah, yes, you met the otherl" The
eyes of the priest were fixed on the
rug at his feet. And as the major
began the second part of his recital,
and plunged into the details Of
Jeanne's plot, Father Surtees' face
seemed TO turn to bronze in the fitful
CLEANS of the burning Goals. He sat
listening with clenched hands, his fine
features almost awry from the mental
strain upon him.
"Merciful Godi" he exclaimed.
81 knew you would be quite unpre-
pared for my disclosure" said God
dard. "You see, even your church
can't undertake to palliate such stu
pendous offenses against human law
and order"
"And you say you now love
Blanche?" said the priest.
"As 1 never dreamt I could love-
IL has been a revelation of all the
forces of tenderness which lay DOR
mant in me. There is but one solu-
ton ! can make of il, and that is that
God has visited this love upon me as
the only adequate punishment for my
crime. l tell you there is a hell. |
am in IL. / had rather undergo the
physical pangs of an eternity in burn
ing flames than to bear this a month
longer"
Father surtees clasped his quivering
hands between his knees.
"God have mercy on you" he said
"Poor, poor Blanchel 1 have never
seen n creature nearer to God, my
friend"
For about five minutes nothing
more was said. Then Goddard broke
the stiffness.
81 have thought of suicide" he said
"That could not possibly help you
or her." declare the priest.
81 am withheld even from that cow
ardly act because the shock would Kill
her. Don't you see how l am buffeteC
about by the consequences of my
crime?"
81 see I see. And for the same rea
son you cannot tell her that she is no
your wife,"
mo that would kill her. DR.. Elem
ing said she would not be able to beal
the slightest shock or excitement"
when did you see himP'
81 have not seen him since he exam
ined Blanche"
"How did you find out that Blanch,
has this-this terrible disease?"
81 have just told you that Jeanne
told me that DR.. Fleming had con
fided it to her. he entoined it on he
to keep it even from me, and by al
means from Blanche"
"Ahi" Father Surtees brows wer
knitted together. AS he uttered tina
exclamation he rose and began t.
walk back and forth across the room
Suddenly he turned and stood owe
Goddard.
do you think she could have in
duced you TO take hand in this plo
If you had believed Blanche to be per
fectly sound, physically?"
Certainly not; it is because she ha
such a short life, and"
Father Surtees laid his hand on tn
majors shoulder.
Then" he said your wife mus
have known that ii would requir
most extraordinary pressure to Undue
you to enter into her scheme, and
and has 1t never occurred to you tina
her story may be a deliberate lie on
of whole cloth?"
The major could hardly formulat
an answer. His eyes were wide oper
and his face was like death mask.
blanche" he began, presently, 81
taking Dr. Fleming's medicines,
: have seen that
medicines" said the priest, "ar
often given for slight ailments. Tha
fact ought not to substantiate tn
statement of your wife-that iend in
carnate-especially when it looks a
} if she could have gated her purpos
by misleading .ou."
Maj Goddard groaned. As he bowe
there beneath the earnest look of hi
friend he seemed wreck of past mar
illness.