The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-02-01

times 1 am AFRAID" and the major
touched his broad forehead signif-
cantly.
"Foor guardianl- There was a 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 l do2 Do you fancy this
this trouble has not made me unhappy,
too? Your face is my barometer. When
it indicates that your spirits are de-
pressed my sky becomes clouded, and
then l don't care for anything else. 1t
used to be so while 1 was at school
Your visit on Friday was the sole event
of the week, and l studied hard accord
ing to my promise, that / might be
worthy of it. 1 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 man can,
even if he is her husband. / want to
know, Blanche, If 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 breathless stare. 1t was
as if the question had been a shot
which reached the very citadel of her
most sacred convictions.
Guardian, you must not-you ought
not" she seemed unable to proceed
81 know ! ought to be ashamed of
myself for admitting that l have
doubts, but since my loss and her
strange reception of the news / can't
help feeling as l do. Oh! Blanche, do
you think she only married me for the
fortune | had?'
81 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 l am.
| only know, if--if--"
"lf what, Blanche?"
IF had been your wife should have
loved you more in misfortune than
ever. Oh. | am so sorry for you! 1t
is breaking my heart" She raised her
handkerchief to her eyes and began to
cry softly.
Goddard pushed her head back
gently till she was forced to look into
his eyes.
"Don't do that, little girl" he said
tenderly, "it breaks me all to pieces to
see a woman's tears. | wish the old
days could somehow come back; those
days when dreamed of young trust
ing wife who would love me for myself
and draw me away from evil inoina-
tions. You never guessed it, little girl,
but" he seemed to realize that he was
going too far, for he broke off short
and after a moments pause he began
again: Never was a man a greater
slave to a woman's whims than l am to
hers. As much as love honesty, honor.
truth and upright living, 1 am afraid
that woman could make me renounce IL
all II she wished. To me she is as pow
erful as opium to its most abject slave
| must do something, Blanche; these
thoughts are maddening."
He touched the bell. Get out my
horse" he said to the servant. 81 shall
take ride"
He went out to change his dress and
his ward sat down before the fire. She
heaved a great sigh.
II wonder if she will desert him. sc
she thought: "it would be just like
her, now that she can no longer use
him."