Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-02-07

TO be the cause of your running such
big risk as to put all you have in it,"
"Well, am going to do it, answered
Goddard. And | want you to go right
away into Wall street and see Thorn
ton & Wilde. Tell them agree to the
mortgage we were speaking about, get
their check and then go at once to VIII
son g. Burnham and secure the stock
they offered me yesterday"
Talley drew himself up and took
deep breath.
II am almost sorry that mentioned
it to you, major. For Gods sake don't
be hasty!"
81 am glad you called my attention to
it," returned the major. 'It is lose all
or win all with me. 1 am willing to
take the risk"
Half an hour later the major met
Blanche in the long glass-roofed con-
servatory. She held small watering.
pot and was sprinkling some rare roses
As he came in she put down the pot
and kissed him.
isn't the perfume in here delicious?"
she exclaimed. ST feel as if were eat
ing it like an impalpable ice made for
the delectation of the gods"
"Why did you not go to see DR..
Fleming, as you promised?" Goddard
asked, as he stroked her beautiful
hair, which hung loose down her back,
after the manner she had worn it dur
ing her school days.
Because he won't be in New York
till Thursday" she laughed. 81 really
feel as if l am going to survive till
then. l noticed in the Herald that
he has again been delayed a few
days. 1 assure you shall go then"
They turned and walked from the
conservatory into the drawing-room.
There is one other matter / have
been wanting to speak to you about,
dear" he said. eseey
!! well, what is it. sguardian?" she
asked, with a smile.
Human life is very uncertain, dear
he said. 'The longer 1 live the more
am convinced that we ought to make
every preparation for the future. You
know you have considerable fortune.
In case of your death-and you are
as apt to die as L or anyone else-in
case of your death you ought to leave
will Now, you have an aunt and
cousins"
Blanche put her white hand over his
mouth and looked up into his face
gravely.
Dear, dear guardian. what is the
matter with you? Why are you con-
stantly talking about my health, and
now it has actually come to uneasi-
ness about my will. If l should die
and anyone-anyone but you should
get my money / should not rest in
my grave. l am thoroughly in ear
nest"
His features were set with disap-
pointment.
But, dear little girl, that is ex-
actly what I want to avoid. must
not-in case of your death, mind, !
say, in case of such an unexpected
thing as your DEATH must not profit
by it financially"
"And why?"
Simply because cannot have it
so" he answered, vaguely. Il cannot
You must make will, Blanche, and
leave your fortune to your aunt and
cousins"
But I shall never do such an alb
surd thing" said Blanche, with firm
ness; "never!"
Not if l beg you to--not if my
peace of mind and satisfaction depend
on it? ?"
"No, not even then, for if I had
willed my money to people ! do not
love and not to you ] should never be
happy again. No, you must not ask
that"
"Please stop, dear; you make me fee,
SO unhappy" Her lower lip was quiv
ering and he saw her eyes fill. He
drew her into his arms and tried tt
comfort her. Her agony was too deer
for utterance.
| Presently she looked ups and with
hand on each side of his face she
gazed at him from her big candid eyes
Her features were set, as if with al
unpleasant thought.
"Don't-don't keep thing from me
darling" she said, using that term o
endearment for the first time. "Some
thing is wrong. What is it? Is it NOR,
financial difficulties? If So, use all
have in the world if you wish. would
be happy with you on bread ant
water"
sit is not that" he declared. breath
ing rapidly.
"Well, what is it?"
Nothing that you can help" HI
sighed, and he left her. where she stood
at the window.
The threat contained in that cablet
message from London hung over hin
like weight suspended by the hant
of destiny. That the woman he hae
once blindly worshiped would be guilt,
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