Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-02-14
CHAPTER XIX.

Seated in the adjacent room,
Blanche sat, her face in her hands, an
awful fear gripping her heart. She
heard Talley, in the library adjoining,
giving instructions to the nearest po-
lice station. 1t was like a horrible
dream. Out of it all she continued to
hear in the voice she loved SO well:
"Stand behind MEL
Half an hour later the doctor came
to her. She stood up like one who il
about to receive death sentence.
ST have extracted the ball." an
nounced DR.. Randall. HE is sleeping
quietly. He ought not to be dis
turbed. He seems 50 anxious to talk
to you, but it really would not be .ad-
visable. I finally agreed to allow him
to telegraph to his friend. Father Sur
tees!" Is
"oh!' groaned Blanche, quite mis-
understanding him. isis it. $3.50
serious?''
HE is in a very critical condition, !"
admitted the doctor. ct is but fair
to tell you that, but he wants his
friend to talk to you about some
trouble that is preying on his mind.
I think he may reach Lyndhurst about
ten o'clock
Then said Blanche. at is not be-
cause"
"Oh, no. it is not that. / assure
YOU" said DR.. Randall, quickly. st
is some private matter concerning
your immediate welfare. He thinks
Father surtees may explain some
thing to you that you ought to know
1T once. | think it will be better for
your husband, to get this off his mind
as soon as possible. He seems utterly
hopeless, and hope would be big help
In his case"
and may 1 go in now?" asked
Blanche, in a pleading tone.
II am afraid even your presence
would rouse him; it is often so when
there is close affinity. Perhaps you
had better remain here till the priest
comes. You know him, 1 believer
"Yes," answered Blanche; "he is our
best friend
A little after ten Father Surtees arr
rived. The doctor met him in the
hail, and as the major had just walked
the priest was allowed to go in to him.
II am awfully sorry. my dear
friend" he said to Goddard.
Jeanne did it. concealed in the
wood below the garden" answered
the major. 'She was shooting at
Blanche, and covered her I
think I saved her life, and thank
God for it. 1t would be better for me
to die, and it looks like benign dis
pensation-to be able to die for her.
If only i did not have to leave her
with the other stain on her name.
1 was starting to tell her all when the
first shot was fired"
"Try to be calm" cautioned tho
priest, softly.
II want you to break it to her." con-.
tinued the major. She's in the next
room. You tell her the whole story.
l am not strong enough. She will
want to leave when she knows
The major began to cough, and the
doctor hastily came into the room.
YOU'D better stop now" he said.
Goddard motioned towards the room
where Blanche sat.
go to her." he repeated, in a low
tone.
As Father. Surtees went into the
next room Blanche did not rise. She
seemed completely stupefed.
Rowland is anxious for me to make
certain disclosure to you" the priest
said, taking her hand. II must first
beg you to be lenient. if you can,
with man who loves you with all his
soul. OF that there is no doubt"
He has lost my fortune?" cried
Blanche, sharply. What do you sup
pose care for money when--when he
is dying?"
at is not that. my dear Mrs. God
dard,' said the priest. averting his
solemn gray eyes. Il am afraid it is
even more serious than that"
ssWhat is it? What, in wrong then on