Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-01-19

fortune would give Jeanne all she
Graves. She did not sleep a wink last
night. l heard her walking constantly
from the moment she retired till dawn.
| went to her door twice and raped,
but she would not admit me. Some
times / am afraid" and the major
touched his broad forehead signif-
cantly.
Poor guardiani" There was sug-
gestion of tears in Blanche's eyes and
her voice quivered. "If you won't let
me help you with my useless money
what can do? Do you fancy this
this trouble has not made me unhappy.
too? Your face is my barometer. When
1T indicates that your spirits are de-
pressed my sky becomes clouded, and
then don't care for anything else. 1t
used to be so while / was at school.
Your visit on Friday was the sole event
OF the week, and studied hard accord
ing to my promise, that might be
worthy of IL. / was so proud of YOU.
The girls used to watch for you to drive
up and they actually raved over you.
They all thought you were so hand
some"
But Maj. Goddard was not following
her with attention.
have been wanting all this week to
put candid question to you, Blanche"
he remarked, irrelevantly. 81 am lit
tie afraid you will not fully under
stand my motive, but do want your
opinion-a woman can judge another
woman's heart better than a man can,
even if he is her husband. 1 want to
know, Blanche, II you think Jeanne
cares for me little bit?"
The girl could not command her sud
denly reused emotions; she started
and her long lashes fell before his
eager, almost breathiess stare. 1t was
as if the question had been q shot
which reached the very citadel of her
most sacred convictions.
Guardian, you must not-you ought
not" she seemed unable to proceed.
II know i ought to be ashamed of
myself for admitting that 1 have
doubts, but since my loss and her
strange reception of the news can't
help feeling as do. Obi Blanche, do
you think she only married me for the
fortune L had?"
II did not know her then" said
Blanche, evasively, her face pale and
rigid. 81 am too young to read the
the motives of women older than am.
l only know, it-if-"
''If what, Blanche3"
IF had been your wife should have
loved you more in misfortune than
ever. oh, 1 am so sorry for you'll 1t
is breaking my heart" She raised her
handkerchief to her eyes and began tn
cry softly.
Goddard pushed her head back
gently till she was forced to look into
nis eyes.
Don't do that, little girl" he said.
tenderly, cit breaks me all TO pieces to
see a woman's. tears. / wish the old
days could somehow come back; those
days when 1 dreamed of young trust
ing wife who would love me for myself
and draw me away from evil in1ina-
tons. You never guessed IL, little girl,
but" he seemed to realize that he was
going too far, for he broke off short
and after q moments pause he began
again: Never was q man a greater
slave to woman's whims than / am to
hers. AS much as love honesty, honor,
truth and upright living, am afraid
that woman could make me renounce it
all IL she wished. To me she is as pow
erful as opium to its most sbject slave.
l must do something, Blanche; these
thoughts are maddening."
he touched the bell. "Get out nv
horse" he said to the servant. 81 shall
take a ride"
he went out to change his dress and
his ward sat down before the fire. She
heaved a great sigh.
Il wonder if she will desert him, ;"
she thought: cit would be Just like
her, now that she can no longer use
him."