Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-10
what do you suppose have been

What do you suppose / have been
doing every spare moment lately2
Don't laugh, but"-Mrs. Goddard point
ed to Bible on the table near her, a
rich affair bound in Russian leather
and gold-"I have been reading that
Book and finding out how wicked T
am. Before going away 1 want, hum
bly,, to beg your pardon, Blanche. I
could, have treated you better. You
are Christian, aren't you, dear?"
II try to be, Mrs. Goddard; hope
1 am"
"My attempts in that direction have
generally been spasmodic," went on the
older woman, smiling. 81 presume I
have really not striven hard enough, or
kept at 1t long enough, for my efforts
to be really good have always ended
in an explosion of good intentions.
The devil has always beguiled me into
places from which there seemed no out
let without making other people un-
happy, and that is the keenest sort of
punishment-to be made to feel that
you have made yourself the devils CO.
adjutor. 1t has been that way in re-
| gard to your guardian"
'Mr. Goddard?" murmured Blanche.
81 don't understand"
Blanche, shall feel better if make
full confession to you before l go.
want you to sympathize with me
pity me if you wish, but try to see lit
tie good in me. Dear girl, was so
worldly-minded that married your
guardian for what I could get out of
him, because he was at that time rich,
but l do not love him and, to be more
frank, l am miserable with him. It
seems to me that simply cannot stand
it here another day"
you don't love hfm!" said Blanche.
with shudder, and she recoiled and
drew her hand from Mrs. Goddard's
clasp.
"Ah, see you don't understand how
such thing could be, but it is so, and,
| try as l will, l cannot make myself
care for him. This voyage gives me
| infinite pleasure because ] shall be free
if only for a little while. But you must
not tell him.
|
heart" exclaimed Blanche; she loves
you with all his soul. 1 don't see how
you could be with him every day and"
Don't reproach me, begged the old
err woman, giving another glance at the
Bible. 81 have been trying to get for
giveness to-day. I have actually been
on my knees half dozen times, but
rest-peace of mind will not come.
Then-Blanche, are you superstitious?"
"Not much, think, Mrs. Goddard"
well, it must be the natural condi-
i tion of wicked people. am full of SUI
perstition. am always looking for
punishment in some supernatural way,
i and right now it seems nearer to my
heels than ever. Have you ever heard
of Nine. Legare, the fortune teller?"
Blanche had, and she sat wide-eyed
with surprise as Mrs. Goddard con-
! tinued:
81 went to see her this afternoon. I
have heard so many wonderful things
she has foretold. She seems to be able
/ to look right through the curtain of
the future and to actually tear it down
from the past. / don't know what
made me decide to go, but when the
idea presented itself I went without
stopping to weigh the consequences.
'Her house is in West Fiftieth street,
and when / went in and the man had
/ closed the front door I found myself
4 in total darkness. / assure you felt
as if were actually in my grave. Even
the sound of the wagons and carriages
in the street was shut out. The att
tendant gave me his hand, and. whis-
] pering to me that I had nothing to
! fear, he led me into dark, still room
on the right of the entrance. There he
left me for at least half an hour. !
tell you was frightened almost out OF
my senses, but did not dare get up to
retrace my steps. / seemed to breathe
only the stuffy darkness. and absorb
new horrors from my surroundings
Presently soft glow as delicate as the
first touches of sunlight on the eastern
skies shone in front of me. This grew
into a sort Of rosy radiance. and then
a gauzy curtain seemed to be lifted
and 1 saw woman reclining on couch
under n faint pink light. 1 knew that
1T 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
had done SO Nine. Legare began to
speak.
1.-The person before me is threatened
with sad calamity were her first
words. Then, although she could not
4 possibly have known that knew of her
or had the slightest intention of con.
sulting her, she gave me clear, true
outline of my past life"
Very strange, indeed" said Blanche
st 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 moments reflection
and, while you may come back safely
| | am afraid you will die away from your