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

the wood. which lay so dense, dark
and mysterious along the lower part
of the garden. But on consoling him
she put her arms round his neck. II
do love you SO much-so very much"
she murmured.
But he took her hands down. "You
must listen to me" he said, firmly, his
handsome face drawn, as from some
great physical pain. "Oh, my God,
help mel"
The thorns Of a spreading rosebush
had caught her cape and pulled ii
from her shoulders. 1t lay on the turf
few yards away.
please get it for me-" she said. 81
am little cold.''
He went back for it. and was just
STOPPING to pick it up when he heard
the sharp ringing report of q re
yolver, and saw a fash of light in the
edge of the wood.
'It's Jeanne!' he thought, and
then he heard Blanche scream.
Run, rum" he cried out to her
but she seemed too much startled to
stir. She stood staring at the smoke
emerging from the trees as if turned
to stone.
He ran towards her, but just as he
reached her side there was another
shot from the dark ambush. A metal
comb in tine coil of her hair flew
tinkling to the asphalt walk. The
next instant the major had thrown his
body between Blanche and the direc-
ton from whence the shots came.
Stand behind me, for Gods sake!"
he cried out, clasping her slender form
in his strong arms. Don't move for
Gods sake. she will kill you'll"
He was trying at once to keep her
sheltered behind him and to push her
towards the house when there was
another shot.
"oh!" he cried out sharply in sud
den pain. He started to put his hand
to his right side, but he seemed to re-
member her peril, and with both
hands still on her shoulders he con-
tinued to push her on. He heard a
clatter of feet in the direction of the
house. 1t was James and Talley COM
ing at the top of their speed.
Help! Help" he cried. and then
his head began to lean forward. sob,
my God, I am shot and can't help you.
Oh, darling, run, rum"
He feebly pushed her from him. and
as he did so fell face downward on
the walk. She stopped over him, hard
ly knowing what she did. but the
movement saved her life. for there
was another shot and ball passed
directly over her head James and
Talley were now quite near. Blanche
heard retreating steps in the wood
growing fainter and fainter as the
assailant escaped, but she was speech
less.
Goddard raised himself on his elbow
and, pointing to the wood, cried, faint.
ly: Police! Catch her!" Then his
head fell backward. He had tainted
Taking him up, James and Talley,
aided by the butler, bore him into the
drawing-room and laid him on q
couch. The staring. bewildered maids
came to Blanche's assistance and drew
her into the house. She fell on her
knees by the major. and remained
there while Talley was telephoning
for a doctor. His face was colorless
his eyes were closed. She unbuttoned
his coat, and then the sight of his
bloody waistcoat and shirt turned her
sick with despair. She thought he
was dead. Her head sank to the edge
of the couch. His earnest cry:
Stand behind me-" rang in her ears
She told herself that he had died for
her as heroically as man had ever
died for woman. But there was moth.
ing to wonder at in his action, for he
had always been her hero.
For ten minutes he lay motionless
1t was the sharp ring of the door bell
which seemed to recall him to con.
seriousness He opened his eyes and
recognized her. he put out his hand
to her head. For moment his face
worked as if he were trying to un.
derstand what had brought him there
then as quick % a fash it all seemed
to return to ldm.