Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-02-09
CHAPTER VI

"a VIC niOhhihB Iralns and returning
IN the afternoon. AS her stay short
ened Goddard's depression became
more and more obvious. He summed
the compsnionship of his ward and neg
iected to give Talley any work to do.
When he was not following his wife
about like doting slave he was brood
ing alone in his room or walking nerv-
Ously in the wood behind the garden.
The night before her departure Mrs.
Goddard retired to her room imme-
di&tely after dinner was over. The
hrst two hours were given to her hus-
band, but at ten o'clock she dismissed
him with the request that he send
Blanche TO her.
Our young lady found her seated over
little fire in her luxurious boudoir.
The gaslight in yellow globe was
burning low and the red Goals in the
crate gave rich tint to the furniture
and tapestries. She greeted Blanche
with the superficial smile which she
had been comforting on her without
stint since the Matching of her nefari-
Gus plot, and taking her hand she
drew her down beside her on sofa.
Il want to have one friendly chat
with you before CO." she said. "I am
afraid 1 have not beep so good to you
as 1 should have been: but 1 was born
Shoughtless and have never gotten
over it,"
Blarche could not think of suitable
reply, though she allowed her hand to
rest passively in the clinging grasp of
the woman, which action was sufficient
w cordial fnr j.
hber as Mrs. Goddard's.
What do you suppose have been
&oing every spare moment lately ?
Don't laugh, but"-Mrs. Goddard point
ed to Bible on the table near her. a
nch affair bound in Russian leather
and gold-"I have been reading that
Book and finding out how wicked I
am Before going away 1 want, hum
ply, to beg your pardon, Blanche. I
could have treated you better. You
are Christian, aren't you, dear?"
L try to be, Mrs. Goddard; / hope
am"
Ny attempts in that direction have
generally been spasmodic," went on the
older woman, smiling. "I presume I
have really not strivsn hard enough. or
Kept at it long enough, for my efforts
10 be really good have always ended
IN an explosion of good intentions.
The devil has always beguiled me into
places from which there seemed no out
let without making other people un-
happy, and that is the keenest sort Of
Punishment-to be made to feel that
you have made yourself the devils co.
adJutor. 1t has been that way in re-
gard to your guardian"
Mr.. Goddard?" murmured Blanche
Il don't understand"
Blanche, shall feel better if l make
n full confession to you before I go.
want you to sympathize with me
pity me If you wish, but try to see a lit
fle good In me. Dear girl, / was so
worldly-minded that married your
guardian for what 1 could get out OF
him, because he was at that time rich.
but | do not love him and, to be more
frank, I am miserable with him. It
seems to me that simply cannot stand
1t here another day."
You don't love hint" said Blanche.
with shudder, and she recoiled and
drew her hand from Mrs. Goddard's
clasp.
"Ah, see you don't understand how
such thing could be, but it is so. and.
try as / will, ! cannot make myself
Sare for him. This voyage gives me
infinite pleasure because ] shall be free
II only for little while. But YOU must
not tell him."
Never; it would kill him-break his
Aeart!" exclaimed Blanche; "he loves
you with all his soul. | don't see how
you could be with him every day and"
Don't reproach me-" begged the old
er woman, giving another glance at the
Bible. II have been trying to get for
giveness to-day. / have actually been
on my knees half dozen times, but
rest-peace of mind will not come.
Ihen-Blanche, are you Superstitious ?"
Not much, think, Mrs. Goddard"
We'll, it must be the natural condi-
lion OF wicked people. am full of SUI
Perstition. I am always looking for
punishment in some supernatural way,
and right now it seems nearer to my
heels than ever. Have you ever heard
of Nine. Legare, the fortune teIler?"
Blanche had, and she sat wide-eyed
with surprise as Mrs. Goddard con-
tinued:
I went to see her this afternoon. I
AaVe heard so many wonderful things
she has foretold. She seems to be able
To look right through the curtain of
ahe future and to actually tear it down
from the past. 1 don't know what
Nade me decide to go, but when the
idea presented itself I went without
stopping to weigh the consequences.
Her house il in West Fiftieth street.
and when went in and the man had
closed the front door I found myself
IN total darkness. I assure you I felt
as If were actually in my grave Even
the sound of the wagons and carriages
In the street was shut out. The at
tendant gave me his hand, and, whis-
pering to me that 1 had nothing to
fear, he led me into a dark, still room
on the right of the entrance. There he
left me for at least half an hour. T
tell you was frightened almost out of
my senses, but I did not dare get up to
retrace my steps. ] seemed to breathe
only the stuffy darkness, and absorb
new horrors from nv surroundings