The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-04-05

would you not be shocked II ] were
to tell you" Father Sdrtees began to
look about the room as If searching
for the gentlest means of conveying
his meaning, "if were to tell you
that there was "a mistake about
Mrs. Goddard's death?"
Blanche's eyes grew large.
"You mean that-that she is alive2"
she asked. slowly.
"Yes, she is alive"
Blanche fixed his eyes with steady
stare of incredibly.
"Not dead-not dead"
The priest nodded.
"And there is something else" he
went on, land to do Maj. Goddard full
justice you must make up your mind
to believe that he did not love you as
he does now till--till after he mar
ried you. He has told me his full
story, and my heart bleeds for him.
He says he was trying to confess to
you when the accident cut him short"
"He was trying to tell me what?"
asked Blanche, her brows wrinked in
perplexity.
"He was trying to confess that he
knew that his wife was alive when he
married you"
"O-ohi" That exclamation was as
sudden and sharp as If it had been
caused by a crushing blow.
The priest took her hands and held
them tenderly.
But there were many, many extern
uating circumstances" he continued,
pleadingly. "He was the tool of "A de-
signing woman; he was out Of his
mind. 1 had noticed his downfall
from the moment he met her and
came under her baneful influence. She
convinced him beyond doubt that you
had a fatal malady which would carry
you of in few months. She wanted
your money; he was temporarily i'm
sane. For Gods sake pity him. I
know men as a botanist knows his
plants, and I could swear that he has
been a man changed for the better
since you became his wife. If you
could only believe this it would, L
| know, be a crumb of comfort in your
| great calamity"
Blanche's head sank TO the table at
which she sat. Father Surtees still
| held one of her hands. He waited for
. moment, but she did not look up or
utter a word He would have thought
she had swooned but for the visible
shudders passing through her frame.
HE did not find out till this after
noon that she had deceived him about
your health, then he came to tell you
the whole truth. He would have told
you earlier, but Mrs. Goddard had
made him believe that the shock
would kill you. he kept back the rev.
elation to save your life. He told me
he was in literal hell-a hell of his
own creation, but II he dies tonight
dear child, he will be among the re-
deemed. His soul 10 as white as snow
The responsibility of his sin all rests
on Mrs. Goddard's-"
"Don't-don't call her by that name
again!" Blanche suddenly cried, draw
ing herself up and looking into his
face squarely. "She was never his
lawful wife, l am the only woman
he ever married-really married."
Father Surtees thought her mind
was unsettled, and a look of deeper
concern passed over his countenance
81 don't understand" he STAN
mcred.
81 did not know il till to-day-thi'
afternoon" explained Blanche. "Hei
husband came here looking for her
He told me all about her. She wa
really married when my guardian met
her"
Then you are really his wife-sht
Is bigamst!" cried Father Surtees
"Oh, my dear child. this makes
} 1t all so different. There is bu
one Christian course open to you
lie has repented more deeply thar
one man in ten millions. 70,
must forgive him. He never knew
what real, pure and uplifting love
meant till he married you. God Him
self often puts such ordeals in thu
way of men to lift them above tn,
: world If you refuse to receive tn,
gold when it has come purified from
the fire YOU deny the wisdom of TIT
Almighty. Forgive your husband
He may not live through the night
, remember that
Father Surtees ceased speaking
Blanche lowered her head to the tabl
/ again. The priest saw her shudde
several times as if she were trying t,
, put certain thoughts from her. A
this juncture the door leading int
, the room where Goddard lay was soft
. ly opened. 1t was DR.. Randall. II
advanced with very grave face t
3 Blanche.
{ "You must pardon me If l am IN
{ truding," he said to her. "But mus
do my duty. I am obliged to see tina
> Mai. Goddard is troubled about som
misunderstanding with you, and as hi
I life is really in great danger, l mus
: {23lI. III