Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-07-18

H., Y.
MY first wife told po~ you said
Blanche had an absolutely incursbls
disease OF the heart, and
God forbid. Why, there never wa.
a thing the matter with her. except
she had some secret grief, or trouble
on must pardon me il | was obliged
10 SUSPECT the cause of il, aided as !
was by little gossip had heard
This kept her out of spirits naturally
aud she needed n change Of scene. but
| could not persuade her TO leave
Lvndhurst The medicines gave her
were ouly tonics. You have given her
ell the medicine she needed Mai God.
dard. II seems TO me that there was
some suggestion that your first wifs
was not-not exactly sound, mentally,
when she left you. Is this true"
Yes" answered the ma or, slowly;
"yes,"
Well, surely yon ough. NOT 70 have
let any absurd fancy OF hers make an
impression on you"
Goddard rose 70 hs feet. He looked
like a man completely dazed.
81 have believed her life in danger
ever since" he managed to say
well, you certainly have nothing &c
fear on that score" said DR. Fleming.
as he followed his guest TO the door
| at was not because I wished to see
her professionally that I informed her
Of my return so New York. but be.
cause she reminded me OF the only child
ever had--which lost five years
ago"
There was no ceremony in Goddard's
/ leavetaking. He left the physician
staring al him in wonder as be headed
for the stairs leading down into the
Office
/ Father Surtees emerge from a
throng of men near the newspaper
racks and came forward In the glare
of electric lights.
! "Well?" he inquired. eagerly
| "You were right" said Goddard
"Thank God!" calculated the priest.
ferventlv, and they made their way
/ to the street. They walked half a
block in absolute silence. Goddard's
face was full of thoughts too vague
/ for ntterance.
There is but one course before you
now" counseled Father Surtees. as
they paused on an isolated street cor
ner and faced each other.
and that is
"To make clean breast Of it oil to
Blanche"
1T she were dying II might hot be
so hard" said Goddard. "but--" tears
/ of agony rushed TO his eyes; but to
know that she will live on TO loathe
! me as she would noisome reptile
which had for moment coiled. itself
around her unsuspecting heart, Oh,
God! advise me to kill myself"
You never were a coward. Row
| lano." And Father Surtees laid his
hand on Goddard's arm with a tender
touch. 1T is the consequence of your
fault; take il on you like man, Go
to her Tel her the whole truth"
Thank you," said the major; Il
shal. do it,"
He was turning away when the
priest caught his arm again.
You say the other is here in New
York ?"
81 think So" was the answer,
81 know you well enough now" said
the priest. rehectiveiy, weH enough
to feel sure you could never iall in her
power again
"If meet her nothing no power in
Heaven nor bereath- could prevent
my killing her"
Nothing but Blanche said the
priest "She would prefer to have as
little publicity as possible. No; re-
uraint must be part of your burden.
The woman must live"
ITO assassinate Blanche2' cried The
major. "No,"
"She will never 40 it when she
knows that you and Blanche are
parted. OF course, Rlancne will want
to go away at once"
"Of course" Goddard staggered
away cab was passing, and hs
hailed il. The cahnan smiled know
ingly on the priest as he helped his
friend to get in, he thought he was
taking up a drunken swell. The
priest gave the directions In . cold
tone Of rcproof. and pressing God
dard's hand, he turned away.
oh, God, don't desert the poor, poor
fellow" he said. with MS eyes raised
TO star which, pale MS white dia-
mond, CLEANED above the yellow glare
Of Madison square.