The Irish standard., 1901-07-06


there, I might not think of it so fire.
quently; and l really must be more
generous. But" Blanche shud-
dered as her thoughts ran on UNI
checked. 81 cannot bear to think that
she once had all his love. She-when
God had made us for each other!"
She would not have been the woman
she was if these recollections had not
stung her proud nature to the quick.
81 certainly have goou opportunity
now," she thought, remembering that
both The maids had asked for leave
of absence that afternoon, and
through the window she could see
James leaning over the wall at the
foot of the lawn engaged in deep con-
versation with an acquaintance. So
the outcome of her mental arguments
for and against this step was that she
bravely assembled the stairs, went
along the fern-aecorated corridor to
the door of the room which had haunt
ed her so much of late. To her sur
prise she missed the key from the nail
where it usually hung. Then she no
ticed it in the lock, and that the door
was slightly ajar. Thinking this was
perhaps due to the negligence of the
servants, the young wife entered and
stood in the center of the room-a tar
get for sharp memories which were
shooting into her heart from several
objects in the boudoir-Jeanne's couch
and chair, the divan where she had
once seen her husband with his arm
around his wife. Blanche's face was
set with keenest suffering as she
turned her back on the canopied bed
with it's lace coverings, rich tapestries
and down-filled pillows. She was
wondering if, after all, the visit was
going to be productive of good when
she heard a slight rapping noise about
Mrs. Goddard's escritoire, which was
hidden from her view by tall screen
of painted silk in frame of mahog-
any. Blanche advanced and looked
over it. To her horror she saw man
trying to fit key into the lock of the
desk. Happening to glance upward
at that instant his startled eyes met
hers.
blanche uttered scream of fright
and shrank back.
"For Gods sake, don't! I am not a
thief, MISS" exclaimed the man, ris-
ing head and shoulders above the
screen, the key falling from his
hands.
Blanche paused. The thought that
she was alone with MIN in the great
house showed her the futility OF flight
but it was the earnestness of his dec.
,aration CT innocence which detained
her. Besides, now that she had the
man fully in view, there was some
thing in the regretful expression OF
his rather sad face which inspired con
fidence. He was we'll dressed, his hail
and short beard were white as snow
though his face did not bear testi
mony to more than so years of age.
I'll" began Blanche, but she wa:
unable to steady her voice.
81 know, appearances are deat
against me-" said the intruder, "bu
l hope you won't judge me too harsh
ly. I am sort of detective engaged
in ferreting out case touching nj
personally"
| u,
still agitated.
"Were you admitted by-by tn
servant?" she asked.
II must confess that I avoided him,
answered the intruder. eff you will
let me pass you, will go downstairs
but l want to explain. cannot hav
you think"
81 don't think am afraid of you,
said Blanche, strangely Gained by hi
manner and tone of voice. 81 know
that detectives sometimes resort t
bold methods" ..........
) "But am not professional detec
| tive" said the man, as he picked u
his hat, which had fallen to the floor
Gas l said, I am seeking information
that concerns me alone. If you wis
you may call your manservant, and h
may be near while 1 try to explain m
presence here. You have perfec
right to hand me over to the police
and if you are generous enough to lie
me go. | should want to repay you b
perfect frankness on my part. BE
sides, if I am right in my suspicious,
have most important revelation t
make to the owner of this house."
"You interest me in spite of my
SELF" said Blanche. "But perhaps W
ought to go down to the drawing
!. ROOM"
you are quite right" acquiesce
the stranger, and, with a deferenti;
bow, he passed Blanche on the thresf
old of the chamber and descended tn
= stairs. Of his own accord he turne
into the drawing-room. Our heroin
followed and paused near the dool
: way. She felt perfectly secure, will
out knowing why.
evil you pardon me If I ask VIII
you are?" he said, with IN apologet
infection of voice. ".Are you relate
: : to Maj. Goddard?"
u ~ am his wife" said Blanche, sin
ply.
"What? Oh, no! Surely not!"
Z, !, 81 have not misinformed you," sal
u Blanche.
: His face had fallen.
"Then ] have made an awful mi
take" he said, "and I owe you al
the major thousand apologies.
hope you will pardon me. have bee
=, following false clew, and yet" F
n seemed to have his first opinion fort
,. fed by memory "and yet 1 can't 81
how l can be off the track so badl
d 1t would undo me entirely. Sure
v you did not have a millinery esta
d lishment on Fifth avenue up to II
tir,e of vour m n rriaUe