Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-07
(copyrisht. 1soo. by A. N. Kellogg Newspaper c
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.
 That afternoon Blanche, who re- mained at home, had encountered an experience more thrilling than any thing which had ever befallen her.
 She had tried, after the major had left for the city, to pass the time away with various amusements. She had poured out her complete happiness to the sympathetic pages of her diary; she had. when that joy had spent it. self. gone to the piano and played her guardians favorite airs, sung his fa- vorite songs, imagining him in his smoking jacket and slippers in his usu- al seat on the great leathern lounge. Then a small cloud rose between her and the sun of her present happiness. It was the memory that such short time had elapsed since another had occupied her place. and that thought had frequently beset her of late, but seldom with such persjstency as now. She tried to fight against it's influence, to tear herself from it's grasp, but in vain. One of the most tantalizing of these thoughts was that Jeanne God dard's room still remained just as the absent woman had left it, just as Blanche wildly remembered it on the night preceding Mrs. Goddard's de- parture. Its door had not been opened since its occupant had left. Blanche supposed it was locked, as she had once, in passing. seen the key to the door hanging on a nail outside.
 "Perhaps," thought our poor her oine, Eff I could put down my objec- tions to seeing the room again, and go there. I might not think of it so ire auently; and I really must be more generous. But-'' Blanche shud- dered as her thoughts ran on un- checked. 1T cannot bear to think that she once had all his love. She-when God had made us for each other!"
 She would not have been the woman she was if these recnllections had not stung her proud nature to the quick.
 II certainly have goou opportunity now" she thought, remembering that both the maids had asked for leave of absence that afternoon, and through the window she could see James leaning over the wall at the foot of the lawn engaged in deep con- versa tion with an acquaintance. So the outcome of her mental arguments for and against this step was that she bravely ascended the stairs. went along the fern-oecofated corridor to the door of the room which had haunt ed her so much of late. To her sur prise she missed the key from the nail where it usually hung. Then she no- ticed it in the lock, and that the door was slightly ajar. Thinking this was perhaps due to the negligence of the servants, the young wife entered and stood in the center of the room-a tar get for sharp memories which were shooting into her heart from several objects in l. . boudo!r-Jeanne's couch and chair, the divan n where she had once seen her husband with his arm around his wife. Rlanche's face was set with keenest suffering as she turned her back on the canopied bed with it's lace coverings, rich tapestries and down-flled pillows. She was wondering if, after all, the visit was | going to be productive of good when she heard slight rapping noise about Mrs. Goddard's escritoire, which was hidden from her view by a tall screen of painted silk in a frame of mahog- l any. Blanche advanced and looked | over it. To her horror she saw man l trying to fit key into the lock of the desk. Happening to glance upward at that instant his startled eyes met | hers.
 Blanche uttered a scream of fright and shrank back.
 | "For Gods sake, don't! I am not a l thief. miss;'' exclaimed the man, ris- ing head and shoulders above the screen, the key falling from his hands.
 Blanche paused. The thought that she was alone with him in the great | house showed her the futility oi flight, but it was the earnestness of his dec | laration of innocence which detained l her. Besides, now that she had the man fully in view, there was some thing in the regretful expression of his rather sad face which inspired con- fdence. He was we'll dressed, his hair and short beard were white as snow l though his face did not bear testi- mony to more than 50 years of age. ''I-I-' began Blanche, but she was unable to steady her voice.
 "I know apI earances are dead against me- said the intruder, ''but l hope you won't jndge me too harsh. ly. I am a sort of detective engaged in ferreting out case touching me personally"
 Blanche stood, her hand on the dcor still asttated.
 Were you admitted by-by the servant?" she asked.
 '1 must confess that avoided him, , answered the intruder. If you will let me pass you, will go downstairs; but I want to explain. I cannot have you think"
 'I don't think I am afraid of you, said Blanche, strangely calmed by his manner and tone of voice. T know that detectives sometimes resort te bold methoo.s."
 But I am not a professional detec tive" said the man, as he picked uE his hat which had fallen to the floor 'tAs I said, I am seeking information that concerns me alone. If you wish you may call your laanservant, and ht may be near while I try to explain my