Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-07-11


Miss Dean looked at him steadily.
"I think she needs great care and |
attention, Maj. Goddard" she said,
softly. "I wish ] could be brave and |
speak out my mind to you. as ] have
imagined myself doing a good many
times"
"well, I am sure you may" he re-
turned. an fact. if il is anything
touching my wards welfare l should
want very much TO hear it,"
"Then it is not a physical disease
that is wrong with my dear friend so
much as it is-something else
eco on. please" said Goddard, mys-
tilted.
"She never will get we'll or be her
old self till-pardon me-till you cease
TO treat her as you do"
81 don't follow you" said the major.
slightly embarrassed.
Miss Dean sat down, holding the
parcel in her lap.
~ am saying something Blanche
would never forgive" she went on,
"but you are not blind, Maj. Goddard.
You must have known that Blanche's
whole life was wrapped up in you be-
fore she left school"
The major was looking at a particu-
lar figure in the carpet with unnatu-
raj steadiness, and he did not raise
his eyes.
do You think so, Miss Dean"
81 know it," declared the champion
Of one woman's rights. she and l
were intimate in school. She knew
my heart knew hers. l hated you,
sir, when l heard you had married
the woman you did marry, after
having led such confding young
creature as Blanche to believe YOU
were in love with her and spoiled the
life intrusted to you. You did this,
sir!"
Goddard started. He had never i'm
agined such strong condemnation
could come to him from such source.
He found himself unable TO formulate
reply. Miss Dean, now hot and
flushed, continues:
you might at least treat the poor
child decently. She will never get
well as long as she frets about You as
she is doing. She has hardly slept an
hour any night since your sad news
arrived Don't you see she can't put
out the fires you kndled in her
hearth If you were happy she might
do 40, but seeing the man one loves
in constant misery is enough TO kill
., ol
icate as Blanche's. If she could only
see you once a day and feel that YOU
look upon her as friend she would
not suffer SO, but you are always
away"
Il thank you for-for speaking 80
plainly and showing me my duty"
stammercd Goddard. 81 have been
very selfish"
He was about to make a reference
70 the dread malady which was laying
siege to the life of his ward but re-
Numbering his promise to Jeanne not
TO speak of it, and fearing Miss Dean $
lndiscretion, he held his tongue on
that point
"Could l see her now, do you
Think" he added, contritclv.
Yes: LEI me send her down 70 YOU"
said Miss Dean, impulsively.
II shall wait here" he said And 8
Miss Dean left the room he decided NO
longer to try to stem the tide which
seemed bearing him, he knew not
whittier. He walked the floor till
Blanche came. Her sweet young face
showed the ravages OF a tortured spirit,
but it now shone with light of antici-
patton.
Did you want 10 see me, "iar1ian?'
As she spoke. she held cu' her hands.
He took them and stood Tor moment
gravely looking into her eyes.
"You have been unhappy, Blanche"
he said.
"How could be otherwise, and
you" her voice failed her and she
coughed to disclaim that it was due
TO rising emotion.
Il know have not done my duty
he said. Put I want to begin.
blanche, would you like to have me
stsy more at home than have since
snce Jeanne went away
oh | wish you would" she an
twered, quickly. You can't imagine
how have worried. You know | could
not tell what might have happened
30 you."
"Blanche." He felt something grasp
his heart as he hesitated. II may have
been the hand of his conscience-the
revolving of his better nature. Then
something like the worst form Of his
recent despaiy seemed to settle on his
brain. He felt that he was cropping
towards the accomplishment of an un-
pardonable deed.
blanche, if I were TO ask you to be
my wife, would You consent-could
you. Knowing how | feel about the
the other?"
He felt her soft warm hands GRASP
his tightly. For a moment she stood
with eyes downcast, then she looked
up and said frankly;
Sf you wished il should be so glad
for something tells me | could then
help you, and to do that is what | air
certainly praying for
"Would you consent to en- early mar
riage?"
Il should want to do us you Liked
about it,"
would Won not care for what peo
pie would say about our haste in such
= NATTER"
~ should not care at all" She wa.
breathing rapidly. 81 should feel thai