The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-07-20

held one of her hands. He waited for
g moment, but she did not look up or
utter a word. He would have thought
she had swooned but for the visible
shudders passing through her frame.
"He did not find out till this after
noon that she had deceived him about
your health, then he came to tell you
the whole truth. He would have told
you earlier, but Mrs. Goddard had
made him believe that the shock
would kill you. He kept back the rev.
elation to save your life. He told me
he was in literal hell-a hell of his
own creation, but if he dies tonight,
dear child, he will be among the re-
deemed. His soul is as white as snow.
The responsibility of his sin all rests
on Mrs. Goddard's-"
'Don't-don't call her by that name
again!" Blanche suddenly cried, draw
ing herself up and looking into his
face squarely. "She was never his
lawful wife. I am the only woman
he ever married-really married."
Father Surtees thought her mind
was unsettled, and look of deeper
concern passed over his countenance.
I'll don't understand" he stam-
mered.
81 did not know it till to-day-this
afternoon" explained Blanche. "Her
husband came here looking for her.
He told me all about her. She was
really married when my guardian met
her"
"Then you are really his wife-she
is a bigamist!' cried Father Surtees.
ooh, my dear child. this makes
it all so different. There is but
one Christian course open to you.
He has repented more deeply than
one man in ten millions. You
must forgive him. He never knew
what real, pure and uplifting love
meant till he married you. God Him
self often puts such ordeals in the
way of men to lift them above the
world. If you refuse to receive the
gold when it has come purified from
the fire you deny the wisdom of the
Almighty. Forgive your husband.
He may not-live through the night
remember that"
Father Surtees ceased speaking.
Blanche lowered her head to the table
again. The priest saw her shudder
several times as if she were trying to
put certain thoughts from her. At
this juncture the door leading into
the room where Goddard lay was soft
y opened. 1t was DR.. Randall. He
advanced with very grave face to
Blanche.
"You must pardon me if I am in
truding," he said to her. "But must
do my duty. / am obliged to see that
Maj. Goddard is troubled about some
misunderstanding with you. and as his
life is really in great danger, I must
appeal to you to ease his mind if it is
possible. All the medical care and skill
in the world cannot save him as long
as he is in his present excited condi-
ton"
"Mrs. Goddard is going to him now"
said the priest, speaking for Blanche.
eyes, let me see him one moment
alone" she said, her eyes filing. 81
can set his mind at rest; l can and I
will"
The two men remained standing
where they were, and she went to
the majors couch. Kneeling, she put
her face against his.
II am here, dear guardian" she said,
"don't-don't worry!"
"Oh, he has not told you!" Goddard
said, his eyes rowing towards the adj
jacent room.
"Yes, he has told me everything,
darling" she answered, stroking his
face.
"And you can forgive me?' he asked.
"You, oh, my God!"
"Fully, dear; it shall never enter
my head again"
"But you must not stay here" he
said, huskily. ooh, to think that I
em obliged to send you awayj