Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-02-09
Copyright. 1000. by A. N. K.nogr Newspaper copp,pv

it was Nine. Legare and that she was
in her famous trance condition. just
then the attendant came to me and
whispered that 1 was to advance and
stand by her couch alone. As soon as I
had done so Nine. Legare began to
speak.
The person before me is threatened
with sad calamity were her first
words. Then, although she could not
possibly have known that knew of her,
or had the slightest intention Of con-
sulting her, she gave me a clear, true
outline of my past life"
Very strange, indeed, j" said Blanche.
1T was, to be sure" went on Mrs.
Goddard. "And what she told me of
the past made me dread more than ever
her first statement. presently found
courage to ask her what she meant by
that allusion.
You are about to take a VOYAGE
said she, after a moments reflection.
and, while you may come back safely.
am afraid you will die away from YOUR
native land
would you advise me to stay at
home" asked her.
"'No, you need not try to escana
your fate she answered. In fact. vour
| impulse to go away from America il
step in the right direction, and IL Won
have to die 1t would be better to die
while trying to atone for that which
you regret so sincerely"
How very awful" exclaimed
Blanche. The recital had. Seal.y ex-
cited her beyond description.
"Her warning has brought all the
good there is in me TO the surface" de-
clsred Mrs. Goddard 81 want to stop
right now and try to beat a retreat
and disentangle myself from the tolls
my sin has wound around me-" The
speakers voice dwindled away into 81.
ience. Then she seemed TO make n re-
solve to be more candid than ever.
Blanche" she sighed, "I have not
told you the worst yet. Ihave wronged
you more than did him-more than I
ever did anybody in my life, because
you were so young at the time, and I
struck you from the dark"
"Wronged me?" The girl drew her
self up with a sudden intuition of what
vas SOAAhk.
Yes you, my poor, innocent child.
When the major first began to come to
see me it was simply that he might
pour his love for you into a sympa thu tic
ear. He was madly in love with YOU.
he could talk of nothing but his beauti-
full ward. / had heard of his riches
and at once set about to dethrone
you. laid the most adroit plans to Sc
cure his attentions. I used all the wiles
an my power. It was an awful struo-
gle, but the prize was big one in nv
SIGHT. L was heartily tired of the sor-
did life 1 was leading and was fred
with the ambition to be a social leader
TO use the arts felt was born with.
When he fell il was very sudden. Then.
j pretended that 1 was irving 70 re-
treat because he was rich and vas
poor, but that only infiamed him all
the more, as / knew it would. You
know the rest. Now, you may hate me.
Tor If it had not been for me he would
have gone on loving you, and-and you
would have made him happier than
can, for-oh, Blanche, / know your Sc
cret, and that has been part of nv nun
ishment! / have ruined both your life
and his"
Why do you tell me all this?" asked
Blanche, bitterly, and, unwilling to dis
claim the accusation just uttered. she
put her hands to her face and began to
tremble from head to foot.
Why do 1 tell you about it?" said
Mrs. Goddard, a cold, snaky CLEAN in
her eyes, because if anything were
to happen to me want you 10 remem-
Der that l now say that God selected
you for his bride and Satan and
thwarted the plan. Therefore, remem-
Der that-if / should die abroad (you
see, cannot forget that woman's un-
canny prediction)-I want you to con-
sole him at once by marrying him as
soon as he asks you"
"Oh, thisis simply dreadful" Blanche
uncovered her white face and stared
fxedly at the woman.
know 1T, was the answer, "but see
that you keep what 1 have told YOU to
yourself. Blanche, you cannot DENY
that you have loved him long time"
Il don't intend to-" said the con-
quered girl. HE is the best man that
ever hved-the noblest, the truest, the
most abused. If you had only made him
happy-but you have not; he is beside
himself with grief over your depar-
ture."
That is true, but it can't be helped.
Now leave me. 1 feel very unhappy to-.
night-unhappy because 1 have made
you so. l am not all bad"
Blanche rose. She was like boat
buffeted by conflicting currents. She
believed Jeanne to be remorseful be-
cause her confessed deeds appeared so
horrible to her unsullied mind.
Il am so sorry for YOU" she was
enabled to say sincerely. >
''Will you kiss me, Blanche?"
Eyes, for 1 am sorry for you, in spite
Of"
II know" broke in Mrs. Goddard, and
she kissed the girl on the lips. 1t was
just such a kiss as she bestowed on
her husband a thousand times, and It
had never failed to deceive him. It.
mace our heroine SILVER.
Il have another trouble, Blanche"
and Mrs. Goddard pressed her hand
uDOn her white Irovr tSNT, e.