The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-03-01

1
the girl and pouring her own tea. Her
face was dark with suppressed rage as
she took her cup to window-seat be-
hind the piano and hastily drank it Aft
er the manner of angry individuals.
"Never mind" said Maj. Goddard to
Blanche, who, with look of deepening
embarrassment on her face, had taken
seat near him; "never mind, it can't
be helped"
II wouldn't have displeased her for
the world, on-on your account, if for
nothing else. I do tr. my best to get on
with her, but somehow I never make
the slightest progress in the right d1-
rection. am so awkward"
Their voices were so low that they
did not reach the tea-drinker in the
bow window, but she seemed to know
that she was the subject of the guard
ed col!oquy, for she glared over her cup
at them like a sullen. Infatuated ami
NAL.
II assure you it is not your fault,
DEAR" went on Goddard. "You see
| when I told her the other day that all
my mining ventures had fallen through
and that I have now only this estate
and paltry ten thousand a year to
keep it up ON, it completely broke her
to pieces. She counted on my affairs
turning out millions, and did not
know it before, but she had laid great
many plans that must now fall to the
ground"
"Plans?" said the girl, in surprise.
eyes, she had consulted an architect
about building house at Newport and
one on Fifth avenue. Oh, it was an aw-
full blow to her! wish she could put
better face on the matter and not
take it so very hard AS far as am
concerned, had made up my mind
that matters were not so bad, after all,
but she is ambitious, you see, and I
never was. I have grown tired trying
to get rich. Iwould like to rest, but"
They heard Mrs. Goddard's cup and
saucer rafting as she advanced to the
tea table. Then she turned to the door
suddenly and her heavy silk skirts gave
forth rustling sound as she passed
haughtily out into the hall.
20, I say, Jeanne!" exclaimed her
husband, rising and going to the door,
but she had gone out on the lawn, and,
when he came back to the fire he and
his ward saw her walking to and fro
on the asphalt drive. A moment later
she turned and gave an inaudible order
to James, the footman, and he came
out to her shortly with revolver and a
box of cartridges.
Goddard went to the window and
Blanche followed.
'She's going to practice shooting"
he said. when she is full of anger she
seems to find a vent for it in target
practice. Watch her; she certainly
has the most wonderful Workmanship
of any woman alive"
The major could not help this exhi-
hilton of pride in his wife, and he
seemed to hold his breath in boyish
expectation as Mrs. Goddard took de-
liberate aim at white envelope which
James had pinned against the trunk of
a tree about so feet from where she
stood
Five reports followed one another in
rapid succession.
''Goodl Wonderful" calculated the
major, "she hit it four times out of five.
I have no idea," and as he said this
Goddard's tone lost part of its en-
thusiasm, 81 have no idea where she
acquired her skill. She always laughs
mysteriously when ask her. It was
while she lived in the west, however, I
am sure. Often she let's slip little allu-
sions to ranch life and hunting on the
plains"
Blanche made no response; there
was confidential note in her guardi-
ans voice which strongly appealed to
her sympathy. It shocked her sensi-
tive idealistic nature to have him ad.
init that there were pages in his wife's
history which even he had not been al
lowed to read. They saw Mrs. Goddard
toss the revolver on the grass toward
the attendant and turn into the house.
A moment later she passed through
the hall and went up the stairway to
her own apartment.
"There is one thing I can not quite
forgive in her, dear Blanche" And the
major caught the soft tapering hand of
his ward and led her back to the fire.
"She married me. She must have been
Influenced to become my wife by the
fortune she knew possessed. She be-
trays that in good many ways. She
was ambitious; but persons born with
craving desires are not to blame for
having them. and 50 try to overlook
this fault in her. Being poor milliner,
who came in contact with the rich Just
far enough to want to have means n