Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-01-26
0PyFight I0sO. By A. n. Kellogg NswsI aper Company.
Don't scold me-

tone which made him feel that her
words had only a perfunctory signif-
canoe. Something seemed to whisper
that he was on the eve of battle. but
the war spirit was dead within him:
he had the feeling Of being con-
quered.
why did you have nue. meet you
hereP" he demanded.
'To prove your love for me, Row
land, she replied, and the smile which
accompanied her words was the cold
est he had ever seen on her face, and
yet II but for it's remote kinship to
former smiles Of hers he adored it.
ounever doubted my love, Jeanne;
that is a certainty"
Then have had you come that we
may agree on a plan of action" she
said. She nestled nearer to him and
took one of his cod hands and
pressed it.
Il missed the money. too, Jeapne?"
"oh, did you? Well, may as well
confess that this meeting is an after
thought, and l do think, il you. care
for me, that you ought TO appreciate
that"
''You intended, then, to desert meP"
eyes, that was tho intention forced
on me-"
Forced on your"
"Yes, 1 cannot go on at Lyndhurst
a. 1t is. You knew when 1 became.
your wife that 1 could not remain
stationary-not progress. When L
married you it was clearly understood
that was, to be able to crafty GER
tain desires that frankly confessed
had always had firm hold on me.
Well, your recent speculations have
reduced US TO Lyndhurst and a trivia;
"But it will be secure" he rejoined,
desperately.
"Oh, don't doubt it's security, Row.
land, dear, but it is hardly more than
these two hands and my brain used
to earn. Oh, you can see what meant
l am simply an ambitious woman.
want things. 1 want power, and am
going to get my desires through you,
dear husband, or we must part COM
pany. love you as much as any wom-
an could love man, but my ambition
is at least half of me, and it will drag
me away from you il you don't come
to my assistance"
Jeanne, you know would do any
thing in my power to crafty you. I
know i have violated part OF our
matrimonial contract, but coS1s not
help things taking such an une ssect-
ed turn"
She stroled his hand caressingly
n . -, H. 4.
Listen to me-" she began, laying
her head on his broad shoulder. II
want to tell you something you do not
know, then 1 shall propose plan.
You remember that DR.. Fleming. tho
famous English expert on heart
troubles, came to see Blanche a r.onth
Rgo-the day before he returned to
London"
"Yes, I remember that" said he
major, wonderingly.
well, perhaps it was because he
thought looked as if / could keep a
secret-and some one ought to know
the truth-that he made an important
disclosure to me. He was deeply con-
cerned after he had examined Blanche
and sent for me to meet him in the IL
brary. He then told me, and his face
was actually pale, for he seemed to
like her, that she had the most fatal
case of 'aortic aneurism' he called it
An acute disease of the heart-that
he had ever met with in all his ex-
perience."
''My God. you can't be seriousl" ex-
claimed the major "She looks so
well-and yet, remember, she is TAX
ing his medicines"
'Dr. Fleming explained that to all
outward appearances she would be,
even to the end. as healthy looking
as perfectly sound person. He says
she cannot possibly live longer than
two years, and that it is most likely
that she win drop of sooner-at any
moment. The least excitement or un-
usual exertion may kill her instantly"
Does Blanche know of her condi-
tion?" asked the major, almost for
getting his own troubles in his vast
sympathy for his ward.
mo; oh, no! DIR. Fleming said that
the knowledge of 1t would only prey
on her mind and hasten the end. He
was afraid to tell you; he said men
were apt to show so much concern over
matters of that kind that patients
would suspect the truth. promised
him faithfully not to hint 1t to a soul,
so you must never mention it or let
her suspect you are anxious about
her"
Can nothing be done?"
Absolutely nothing; the medicine
she is taking is just what she needs,
and he even advised me not to have
her consult any other doctor. 1 pre-
sumo, considering the fact that he is
such great authority. his wishes,
even on that score, ought to be re-
spected."
81 presume So" responded the ma
jor; 'but isn't 1t awful?" Then he
came back to his own affairs almost
with q start. BE frowned and sat
silently looking at the FIRE. 1t was al
II he were wondering what connection
this disclosure could have with his
&C., ca II