Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-31

y
fore she left school,"
The major was looking at 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 womans rights. "She and 1
were intimate in school. She knew
my heart-I knew hers. / hated you.
sir, when l heard you had married a
the woman you did marry, after
having led such contiding young
creature as Blanche to believe you
were in love with her and spoiled the
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
we'll as long as she frets about you as
she is doing. She has hardly slept an
hour any night sSnce your sad news
arrived. Don't you see she can't put
out the fires you kindled in her
heart? If you We're happy she might
do so, but seeing the man one loves
in constant misery is enough to kill
any organization as sensitive and. del
icate as Blanche's. If she could only
see you once day and feel that YOU
| look upon her as friend she would
not suffer so, but you are always
away"
81 thank you for-for speaking SO
plainly and showing me my duty
stammered Goddard Il have been
very selfish
He was about to make reference
1 to the dread malady which was laying
siege to the life of his ward, but, re
membering his promise to Jeanne not
to speak of it, and fearing Miss Deans
indiscretion, he held his tongue OF
that point.
"Could 1 see her now, do yo,
Think" he added, contritely.
"Yes: let me send her down to you,
said Miss Dean, impulsively.
81 shall wait here" he said. And a
Miss Dean left the room he decided n,
longer to try to stem the tide whicl
seemed bearing him, he knew no
wEither. He walked the floor till
Blanche came. Her sweet young face
showed the ravages of tortured spirit,
but it now shone with light of antici-
patton.
did you want to see me, GUARDIAN
As she spoke, she held out her hands.
Ie took them and stood for a 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
20 rising emotion.
II know l have not done my duty
he said. "But I want to begin
Blanche, would you like to have me
stay more at home than have since
since Jeanne went away"
'Oh, i wish you WOULD" she an
swered. quickly. You can't imagin,
how have worried. You know coult
{ not tell what might have happened
TO YOU
blanche" He felt something grasl
his heart as he hesitated. 1t may hav,
been the hand of his conscience-th,
revolving of his better nature. The,
something like the worst form of hi
recent despair seemed to settle on hi
brain. He felt that he was gropin!
towards the accomplishment of an un
pardonable deed.
Blanche, if ] were to ask you to b
: my wife, would you consent-coul
you, knowing how / feel about the
[ the other?"
5 He felt her soft warm hands gras
his tightly. For moment she stoo
. with eyes downcast, then she locke
; up and said frankly:
IF you wished it should be so glac
for something tells me I could the
/ help you, and to do that is what al
/, certainly praying for"
/ would you consent to an early mai
e riage?"
v II should want to do as you like
about it,"
: "Would you not care for what pee
I, pie would say about our haste in sue
J matter?"
81 should not care at ALL" She wa
q breathing rapidly. 81 should feel the
: was acting right"
He hesitated moment; then h
said:
!. ''Will You marry me tomorrow? Re
MFR. Strothers lives about mile frol
: here, along the river. Talley can fir
. see him and make the arrangement
Il Will you drive there in the mornin
$ and become my wifeP"
"If it is your wish, yes
. He drew her head towards him an
for moment it rested on his shoulde
9 For an instant memory of his cour
4, ship of her during her school da.
]. flashed int his mipd and he expel