The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-05-10

I am convinced that we ought to make
every preparation for the future. You
know you have a considerable fortune.
In case of your death-and you are
as apt to die as 1 or anyone else-in
case of your death you ought to leave
a will. Now, you have an aunt and
cousins"
Blanche put her white hand over his
mouth and looked up into his face
gravely.
Dear, dear guardian, what is the
matter with you? Why are you con-
stantly talking about my health, and
now it has actually come to uneasi-
ness about my will. If I should die
and anyone-anyoner but you should
get my money should not rest in
my grave. I am thoroughly in ear
nest"
His features were set with disap-
pointment.
"But, dear little girl, that is ex-
actly what I want to avoid. I must
not-in case of your death, mind, I
say, in case of such an unexpected
thing as your DEATH must not profit
by it financially"
"And why?"
'Simply because I cannot have it
So" he answered, vaguely. 81 cannot.
You must make a will, Blanche, and
leave your fortune to your aunt and
cousins"
"But I shall never do such an abb
surd thing" said Blanche, with firm
ness; "never!"
"Not if I beg you to-not if my
peace of mind and satisfaction depend
on it"
mo, not even then, for if I had
willed my money to people 1 do not
love and not to you should never be
happy again. No, you must not ask
that"
"But-"
"Please stop, dear; you make me feel
SO unhappy" Her lower lip was quiv-
ering and he saw her eyes fill. He
drew her into his arms and tried to
comfort her. Her agony was too deep
for utterance.
Presently she looked up, and with
hand on each side of his face she
gazed at him from her big candid eyes.
Her features were set, as if with an
unpleasant thought.
"Don't-don't keep a thing from me.
darling" she said, using that term of
endearment for the first time. "Some-
thing is wrong What is it? Is it more
financial difficulties? If so, use all T
have in the world if you wish. would
be happy with you on bread and
water"
cit is not that" he declared, breath
ing rapidly.
well. what is it?"
Nothing that you can help" he
sighed, and he left her where she stood
at the window.
The threat contained in that cabled
message from London hung over him
like weight suspended by the hand
of destiny. That the woman he had
once blindly worshiped would be guilty
of deliberate murder he did not doubt,
and as the time which Jeanne would
take to recross the ocean went by his
fears increased until his waking and
sleeping thoughts contained but one
mental picture, and that was the sud-
den meeting between the two women
and the awful consequences to Blanche.
In the deadly still hours of night he
would wake with start, imagining he
heard sound in Blanche's room, and
thither he would creep, holding his re-
volver ready for use, only to be greeted
by the sight of his beautiful treasure
peacefully asleep in the light of the low
burning night lamp.
After one of these rights. he went
back to his chamber, and for the first
time for years he knelt and tried to
pray. His prayer was short, but he
repeated it over and over with sup
pressed groans.
ooh, God, in Thy vast goodness heap
the punishment of the vilest of the
damned upon me, but spare henry
child wife. Spare her, oh, God! Let
not the consequence of my weakness
fall on her. This is all ask, pleading
for just punishment for myself, but
that she be spared from pain or unhap-
piness."
CHAPTER XIV.
Twelve days had elapsed since he re-