Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1901-04-06

there is close affinity. Perhaps you
had better remain here till the priest
comes. You know him, I believer
YES" answered Blanche; che is our
best 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 covered her. I
think 1 saved her life, and 1 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 her
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 next
room. You tell her the whole story.
1 am not strong enough. She will
want to leave when she knows"
The major began to cough, and the
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 q low
tone.
AZ Father Surtees went into the
next room Blanche did not rise. She
seemed completely stupefied.
Rowland is anxious for me to make
certain disclosure to you," the priest
said, taking her hand. "I must first
beg you to be lenient. II you can,
with man who loves you with all his
soul OF that there is no doubt"
He has lost my fortune7" cried
Blanche, sharply. "Whst do you sup
pose care for money when-when he
is dying2"
at Is not that. my dear Mrs. God
dard," said the priest. averting his
solemn gray eyes. 81 am afraid IL is
even more serious than that"
What is it? What is wrong, then pc
questioned the young wife, laying a
trembling hand on the arm of the priest.
Can you bear blow from a most
unexpected source?" asked Father
Surtees, "a revelation which will
shake your faith even in the man you
lover"
"Hushl" Blanche cried, firing imme-
diately. do you dare to speak against
him when he is dying? Oh, my Godl"
81
instant, and look % pain spread over
his fine face. He allowed her indig-
nant eyes to rest on him for q mo-
ment, then he said:
He has begged me to make a con-
fession to you of the greatest inn
portance. My poor child, you will
have to have great fortitude to listen
calmly to what am going to tell
you"
What do you mean7" Blanche aues-
toned, the fire still kindlingin her eyes.
Would you not be shocked if were
to tell YOU" Father Surtees 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 IA mistake about
MRS. Goddard's death?"
Branches eyes grew large.
You mean that-that she is alive ?"
she asked, slowly.
Eyes, she is alive"
Blanche fixed his eyes with steady
stare of incredibly.
Not dead-not dead?"
The priest nodded.
l.
went on, "and to do Mai. Goddard full
justice you must make up your mind
to believe that he did not love YOU "a
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 ?s
asked Blanche, her brows wrinkled in
perplexity.
He was trying to confess that ho
knew that his wife was alive when he
YOU"
"O-oh!" That exclamation was "a
sudden and sharp as II it had been
by q crushing blow.
The priest took her hands and held
hem tenderly.
But there were many, many extern
lating circumstance" he continued.
'He was the tool of q de-
signing woman; he was cut of his
mind. I had noticed his downfall |
rom the moment he met her and |
ZANE under her banefuI influence. She
him beyond doubt that You
had fatal malady which would carry
'ou on in few months. She wanted |
Tour money; he was temporarily in
'ans. For Gods sake pity him. !
know men az q botanist knows his I!
'lantS, and could swear that he has |
'een a man changed for the better
tnce you became his wife. II you |
ould only believe this Il would, |
NOW. be q crumb Of comfort In your
,reat calamity"
Blanchs's lead sank to the table At !
which shs cat. Father Surtses still |
Ield one Of her hands. He waited for
moment. but she aid not look MP or
liter a word. he would have thought
he had awoened but for the visible |
hudders passing through her frame.
VIA AfA al 80 4k1Y ~