The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-03-08

| You remember that DIR. Fleming, the
famous English expert on heart
troubles, came to see Blanche q month
ago-the day before he returned to
London"
Eyes, remember that" said the
major. wonderingly.
"Well, perhaps it was because he
thought looked as if I could keep a
secret-and some one ought to know
the truth-that he made an important
| disclosure to me. He was deeply con-
cerned after he had examined Blanche
and sent for me to meet him in the Ii
brary. He then told me, and his face
was actually pale, for he seemed to
like her, that she had the most fatal
case of 'aortic aneurism' he called it
an acute disease of the heart-that
he had ever met with in all his ex-
perience."
my God. you can't be serious!" exc
claimed the major. "She looks SO
well-and yet, remember, she is TAX
ing his medicines"
"Dr. Fleming explained that to all
outward appearances she would be,
even to the end. as healthy looking
as perfectly sound person. He says
she cannot possibly live longer than
two years, and that it is most likely
that she will drop off sooner-at any
moment. The least excitement or I'M
usual exertion may kill her instantly"
"Does Blanche know of her condi-
tion?" asked the major, almost for
getting his own troubles in his vast
sympathy for his ward.
"No: oh, no! DR.. Fleming said that
the knowledge of it would only prey
on her mind and hasten the end. He
was afraid to tell you; he said men
were apt to show so much concern over
matters of that kind that patients
would suspect the truth. I promised
him faithfully not to hint it to soul,
so you must never mention it or let
her suspect you are anxious about
her"
"Can nothing be done?"
Absolutely nothing; the medicine
she is taking is just what she needs.
and he even advised me not to have
her consult any other doctor. I pre-
sumo, considering the fact that he is
such a great authority. his wishes,
even on that score, ought to be re.
spected."
81 presume so,' responded the ma
jor; "but isn't it awful?" Then he
came back to his own affairs almost
with start. He frowned and sat
silently looking at the fire. 1t was as
this disclosure could have with his
wife's strange flight. He gently ex-
pressed this idea to her presently.
"After left you to-day got to think
ing about it," was her answer, and her
fingers frightened on his. blanche
has, as you know, about three mill
lions in her own name"
81 know that" answered the major.
"When she drops off suddenly all
that money will go legally to people
she never saw. an aunt and cousins
for whom she doesn't care pin"
THAT is the truth, Jeanne, but"
"Please do not interrupt me. DEAR"
pursued his wife, and she began strol.
ing his hand again. ''You told me that
since you had taken charge of her af-
fairs Blanche's money has more than
doubled"
eyes, happened to invest it better
than did my own capital"
There was silence in the room for a
moment. The muffled strains of the
orchestra below stole up to their ears.
The handsome woman had never
thrown so much power of enchant-
ment into her beautiful. long-lashed
eyes as at this moment. She held his
gaze as reptile might that Of its
wondering, bewildered victim.
ITO Be Continued