The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1901-05-16
II shall not ask you to-" answered
Mrs, Goddard. She put on her cloak
and FASTENED away down the road to.
the telegraph station.
CHAPTER XIV.

WHeu Inapg reacneQ n1m. See-I
ing that it was foreign, he let it lie
unopened on his desk till the servant
had gone, then with many misgivings
as to its import he opened it. That
single word conveyed more to his dis
turbed consciousness of impending dis
aster than a dozen bold threats could
have done. He told himself that
Jeanne had had just sufficient time to
have received his letter, and that she
was on her way home.
But what could she be coming back
f~or-running such great risks of detec-
ton? Perhaps it was that she might
confront Blanche suddenly and cause
the girls death from the shock of the
true situation. Perhaps-Goddard put
the telegram into the fire and watched.
it burn. A big lump of despair was in
his throat. AT that moment, if, by a
death of long lingering torture, he
could have purchased Blanche's happi-
ness he would have, submitted without
a murmur. The better side of his ma
ture was now uppermost and he had
become actually a strong man. Sud
denly he wondered if he might not
with a round sum of money buy Jeanne
off from her evident murderous plans,
but Blanche's means were not to be
thought of. Hearing the clicking of
Talley's typewriting machine, and fired
with a certain resolve, he crossed the
hall and entered the study.
"Talley," said he, shave you still
faith in that stock?"
More than ever. major" said Talley,
with a smile. 81 wish I had more money
to invest in it."
Goddard sat down neal the young
man..
"Talley, I need money awfully. By
placing a mortgage on all my effects
I could raise a hundred thousand. If I
go into this deal it will be to lose all
or win heavily. I am half a mind to
plunge. What do you think?"
The young man raised his eyes
slowly.
"But surely you are not so far gone
as that" he ventured. 81 think you
said Mrs. Goddard's fortune was in
good shape"
SIT is in the best condition. said
the major. firmly; "but I should never
draw one penny of it for my w use.
l wouldn't touch it to saw my life"
"Oh. pardon me-" said Talley, admir-
ingly, II understand that, major. As
to the G.. N. & W., of course 7 have
boundless faith in it, but don't want
to be the cause Of your running such
a big risk as to put all you have in it,"
SWELL, I am going to do it," answered
Goddard. "And I want you to go right
away into Wall street and see Thorn
ton & Wilde. Tell them I agreett to the
mortgage we were speaking about, get
their check and then go at once to Viii
son & Burnham and secure the stock
they offered me yesterday"
Talley drew himself up and took a
deep breath.
Il I'M almost sorry that I mentioned
it to you, major. For Gods sake don't
be hasty!" (
II am glad you called my attention to
it," returned the major. SIT is lose all
or win all with me. I am willing to
take the risk" =
Half an hour later the major met
Blanche in the long glass-roofed con-
~servatory. She held a small watering
pot and was sprinkling some rare roses.
AS he came in she put down the pot
and kissed him.
isn't the perfume in here delicious?"
she exclaimed. IT feel as if I were eat
ing it like an impalpable ice made for
the delectation of the gods"
"Why did you not go to see DR..
Fleming, as you promised?" Goddard
asked, as he stroked her beautiful
hair, which hung loose down her back,
after the name she had worn it dur
ing her school days.
Because he won't be in New York
till Thursdays she laughed. 81 really
feel as if I am going to survive till
then. I noticed in the Herald that
he has again been delayed a few
days. I assure you I shall go then"
They turned and walked from the
conservatory into the drawing-room.
"There is one other matter I have
been wanting to speak to you about,
dear" he said.
"Well, what is it. guardian?" she
dSkeu, Will d SIllle.
Human life is very uncertain, DEAR"
he said. "The longer I live the more
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 I 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-anyone but you should
get my money I 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, ]
say, in case of such an unexpected
thing as your DEATH must not profit