Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1901-03-29
CHAPTER Xxx.


CHAPTER Xxx.
A month later Maj. Goddard was en-
abled to move about the house and
grounds with a cane. He had had the
best nursing in the world, and con-
sidering the great load which had
been removed from his mind it is lit
tie wonder that he did recover. The
secret of the identity of his assailant
was kept by Blanche, Father Surtees
and the major from the other mem
bers of the household. A report had
become current that the attack was
made by a robber, whom. Blanche
and the major had met on the
grounds, and who fired on them to
make his escape. These three know
ing ones thought it was likely Jeanne
had given up her murderous plans,
but for fear that she might cause fur
Their trouble, Father Surtees was MAX
ing strenuous efforts to find her that
he might inform her that they knew
of her marriage to Dugdale
One bright, sunny day Talley, who
still lived at Lyndhurst, persuaded the
major to 60 into the city with him to
see the new bank, of which Talley
was cashier and the major vice pres
ident They had both disposed of
their G. n. & w. stock at an enormous
increase in value, and had invested
part of their earnings in the stock of
the new bank.
The major was writing some letters
in his office at the bank that after
noon when the Office boy announced
a lady. And when the visitor entered,
despite a long, heavy veil. Goddard
recognized Jeanne. AS the Office boy
withdrew she closed the door and
stood with her hand on the handle.
II see you recognize me, Rowland"
she began.
Eyes, l recognize you," said the
major, grown white with excitement
wont you sit down?''
She took seat opposite his revolv.
ing chair, and threw back her veil, dis.
closing white, wasted face.
II have not come as an enemy. Row.
land,' she said, SOFTLY
"Oh, you have not o. he said
mo: for I am completely in your
power. l knew l was taking a big
risk; but could not have any peace
of mind till I had seen YOU I have
met my husband, Henry Dugda'e, and
he said he had told Blanche about nv
first marriage. know you can hand
me over to the law as bigamist, but
[ don't think you will do so, consider
lng-considering your love for
Blanche. My spell over you is broken,
Rowland"
eyes. it is broken Jeanne. I could
look you in the face. for a thousand
years and only wonder how
Don't say it, she broke in. LETS
part friends"
! "After you tried to kill her-poor
child p he asked. "Jeanne, cannot
forgive that
II was out of my head" said Jeanne,
pieadingly. II did not intend to shoot
1T her till I overheard you about to
confess. That maddened me. I would
not have shot at you even then,
it you had not run between me and
her, but have sorely repented. You
see can repent, too, Rowland. You
have, and 1 know there is a sort OF
light in your face that never was
there before. Do try to pardon me,
and let me go away and try to live a
better life. I am so, so tired of
wrong-doing. It has never led me
anywhere. Henry still loves me, and
will take me back to Denver, where
no one will ever associate my name
with yours. He says our child is long,
ing for me. He sent me to YOU He
wants to feel that we will not be
troubled by your preferring charges
against me. Will you do this?''
II shall be glad to, JEANNE" said
the major, slowly. II want to tell
Blanche that she need no longer be
afraid Of you. She is very nervous.
Ever since that night she starts at
the slightest sound. She seems to
feel that her life is constantly in
danger"
SWELL, tell her we are going away
tomorrow. shall never come to New
York again. My husband is a good
man, and he has suffered
Jeanne rose and held out her hand.
"Good-by," she said. II am very
sorry I wounded you. When I heard
you were about to die, I came near
killing myself. I would have done so
if Henry had not saved me. He told
me you were recovering."
"Good~by." The major gave her his
hand. II think you had better draw
your veil and go at once. Talley is in
the counting-room, and might recog-
nize you"
Half an hour later Blanche drove up
to the bank in a cab. and remained
seated in it while she sent in a mes
sage to her husband that she would
wait for HIM outside. He came out
ready to go home at once.
II was afraid to trust you alone
with Mr.. Talley," she said with a
smile. II had some shopping to do,
and I decided to come by for you"
He got in by her side, and they
started for the station.
"Blanche,. you are fbbing," he said,