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

CHAPTER XIX.
Seated in the adjacent room,
Blanche sat, her face in her hands, an
awful fear gripping her heart. She
heard Talley, in the library adjoining,
giving instructions to the nearest po-
lice station. 1t was like a horrible
dream. Out of it all she continued to
hear in the voice she loved so well;
"Stand behind mel"
Half an hour later the doctor came
to her. She stood up like one who is
about to receive a death sentence.
81 have extracted the ball" an
nounced DR.. Randall. "He is sleeping
quietly. He ought not to be dis
turbed. He seems so anxious to talk
to you, but it really would not be adj
visable. l finally agreed to allow him
to telegraph to his friend, Father Sur
tees!"
"Ohl" groaned Blanche, quite mis-
understanding him. Isis it $3.50
serious?"
"He is in very critical condition"
admitted the doctor. at is but fair
to tell you that, but he wants his
friend to talk to you about some
trouble that is preying on his mind.
l think he may reach Lyndhurst about
ten o'clock"
"Then," said Blanche. tits not be-
cause"
"Oh. no. it is not that. l assure
you" said DR.. Randall, quickly. ut
is some private matter concerning
your immediate welfare. He thinks
Father Surtees may explain some
thing to you that you ought to know
at once. l think 10 will be better for
your husband to get this on his mind
as soon as possible. He seems utterly
hopeless, and hope would be big help
in his case"
"And may go in nowP" asked
Blanche, in a pleading tone.
"I am afraid even your presence
would rouse him; II is often so when
there is close affinity. Perhaps you
had better remain here till the priest
comes. You know him, believer"
Eyes" answered Blanche; "he is our
Sest friend"
A little after ten Father Surtees ar
rived. The doctor met him in the
hall, and as the major had just walked
the priest was allowed to go in to him,
81 am awfully sorry, my dear
friend" he said to Goddard.
Jeanne did it. concealed in the
wood below the garden" answered
the major. "She was shooting at
Blanche, and 1 covered her.
think 1 saved her life, and / thank
God for it. 1t would be better for me
to die, and it looks like a benign dis
pensation-to be able to die for her
If only 1 did not have to leave heI
with the other stain on her name
was starting to tell her all when the
first shot was fred"
TRY to be calm" cautioned the
priest, softly.
81 want you to break it to her." con
tinued the major. "She's in the mex
room. You tell her the whole story
am not strong enough. She will
want to leave when she knows"
The major began to cough, and thu
doctor hastily came into the room.
YOU'D better stop now" he said.
Goddard motioned towards the room
where Blanche sat.
go to her." he repeated, in Low
tone
AS Father Surtees went into tn
next room Blanche did not rise. Sh
seemed completely stupefed.
rowland is anxious for me to max
a certain disclosure to YOU" the prizes
said, taking her hand. 81 must frs
beg you to be lenient, If you can
with a man who loves you with all hi
soul. OF that there is no doubt"
"He has lost my fortune?" erie,
Blanche, sharply. "What do you sup
pose / care for money when-when h
is dying?"
ut is not that. my dear Mrs. God
: dard," said the priest, averting hi
solemn gray eyes. 81 am afraid it i
. even more serious than that"
| "What is it? What is wrong, then
= questioned the young wife, laying
4 trembling hand on the arm of the prizes
] "Can you bear blow from mos
z unexpected source2" asked Fathe
pui 'SNSi lSNSldtlou WhlCu WI
, shake your faith even in the man yo
1 love?"
"Hushl" Blanche cried, firing immC
i diately. "Do you dare to speak agains
y him when he is dying? Oh, my God!
;. Father Surtees shrank from her a
!. instant, and a look of pain spread owe
his fine face. He allowed her indil
d nant eyes to rest on him for a me
t ment, then he said:
HE has begged me to make cor
fession to you of the greatest in
). portance. NV poor child, YOU wi