Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-07-25

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. ooh, my God,
help mel"
The thorns OF a spreading rosebush
had caught her cape and pulled it
from her shoulders. 1t lay on he turf
few yards away.
please get it. for me-" she id. 81
am little cold"
He went back for IL, and was just
STOPPING to pick it up when h heard
the sharp ringing report Of a re
volver, and saw flash of ligh in the
edge of the wood.
IT'S Jeanne!" he thought, and
then he heard Blanche scream.
RIM, rum" he cried out to her
but she seemed too much startled to
stir She stood staring at tie smoke
emerging from the trees as f turned
TO stone.
He ran towards her, but just as he
cached her side there was another
shot from the dark ambush, A metal
comb in the col of her hair flew
tinklng 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 sakei"
he cried out, clasping her slender form
in his strong arms. Don't move for
Gods sake. she win kill you!"
He was trying at once 10 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. "Oh
my God, l am shot and can't help you
Oh, darling, run, rum"
He feebly pushed her from him. and
rs he did so fell face downward on
the walk. She stopped over him hard
~ knowing what she did. but the
movement saved her life. for there
was another shot aud a bal, passed
directly over her head. James and
Talley were now quite near. Blanche
heard retreatinS 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: "Policel Catch her!" Then hi.
head fel! 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 maid.
came to Blanche's assistance and drew
her into the house She fell on hel
knees by the major, and remained
there while Talev was telephoninl
for a doctor His face was colorles SIS
his eyes were closed. She unbuttonec
his coat and then the sight of his
bloody waistcoat and shirt turned hel
sick with despair. She thought h.
was dead. Her head sank to the edge
of the couch. His earnest cry
"stand behind mel" rang In her ears
She told herself that he had died fol-
her as heroically as man had eve
died for woman. But there was moth
ing to wonder at in his action, for h,
had always been her hero.
For ten minutes he lay motionless
1t was the sharp ring Of the door bel
which seemed to recall him to con
seriousness. He opened his eyes an,
recognized her, he put out his hant
to her head. For a moment his fac
worked as If he were trying TO I'm
derstand what had brought him there
then as quick as a fash il ali SCENE,
TO return to him.
81 think | am dying" he said, "sn'
l must tell you what I started-m,
confession; you must know at once
Send the--others from the room
Quick, daring!"
ITS DR.. Randall. dear" she salt
with white lips. HE must see you a
once!"
mo, not tili--till-"
But the doctor, tall, athletic man
full-bearded and gentle-voiced, wa
bending over him.
1T must make an examination
major" he said. quickly. Everything
must give way TO me just now. Yo
seem to have been struck in a vita
part"
But I must At once make conf
Dental disclosure to her. doctor,
pleaded Goddard, his eyes fixed o
Blanohe's face.
There is plenty Of time for thai
|. major said DR., Randall, who wa
!. hurriedly unrollng bandages an
! opening his medicine case. He turne
to Blanche, gave her his hands an
liftsd her up. II think" he sale
gently, that II would be better
I, would excite him less il you would g
into the next room. He seems ben
! on talking TO you"
Reluctantly Blanche withdrew
. DIR. Randall cut away the shirt an
! underwear from the vicinity OF tn
a wound.