Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-17
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII:
In the morning, before the hour for
leaving for the ship. Goddard saw his
wife walking about in the cherries
garden. The day was moderately
warm and still. and the, sun shone
clearly. He Went out and joined her.
His face was careworn and sallow.
She looked up as he approached.
"a beautiful day to sail on she
said, with bewitching smile.
Yes, indeed" he said, looking her
over from head to. foot. He discov-
cred fresh charms in her in the new
gray travelling dress and hat. These
things made the parting pangs in his
breast all the more keen.
81 see you like my gown she said.
reading his admiration in his glance.
at is pretty, isn't ito"
HYes, it is very pretty, but that is
not wonderful. You never wore any
thing that wasn't just what it should
be-"
She glanced at the veranda, on the
edge IF which stood her trunks, hand
bags nd rolls of steamer rugs, pill
lows and deck chair
You see James has got everything
ready
"But Mrs"
"oh, Lucy has agreed to meet me at
the ship, of course! She won't fail,
you may be sure -
Mrs Goddard took a sealed envelope
from her pocket and gave it to him.
Don't, under any circumstances,
lose or misplace these" she cautioned
him.
But what are they?" he asked, feel
ing small object through the paper.
1T contains a card and key, dear.
The card is the address of private
letter box on Sixth avenue, and the
key is to open, whenever you like,
box No. $685.
Goddard fumbled them distastefully
without comment for moment, but
with a furtive glance toward the
house, his wife took them from him,
and with a playful air put them into
the pocket of his coat.
''You know" she explained, with a
little frown, at may be that shall
want to write to you in some other
way than by directing my letters to
Lyndhurst."
"Oh, Jeanne, these awful-awful de.
tails
sand here is a London address," Mrs.
Goddard interrupted, her tone sharp
and businesslike, as she gave him an
other card. 1T has only Mrs. Nolan's
address and name on it. All your let
tiers must be sent to her.
He stood SO helplessly before her that
she had to place that card also into his
pocket.
II am almost afraid you will be too
weak and silly to do all tell you,'' she
said, sharply. IF you fail, shall never
see you again, and" She did not fin
ish her threat, but the suggestion of it
had the desired effect on him.
Il will try to do all you want, Jeanne.
and hope it will result in our ultimate
happiness"
After breakfast, as they all stood in
the dining-room, the carriage drove up
to the door, followed by wagon to
move the luggage. Then Mrs. Goddard
shook hands with Blanche and wiped
her eyes on her handkerchief.
"Good-by," she said; 'do kiss me
again"
Blanche complied; her own eyes were
dry and full of sweet, childlike wonder.
The almost sleepless night she had
passed had only deepened the mystery
which, in her eyes, enveloped the wife
of her guardian. Mrs. Goddard moved
gracefully out into the hall, still wip-
ing her eyes. Talley followed, his man
ner solicitous and regretful. Goddard
left the two together while he went out
to give an order to the coachman.
while l am away, Mr.. Talley," said
Mrs. Goddard, coldly, 81 hope you will
clip the wings of your foolish aspira-
tions."
"Why, I don't understand you, Mrs.
Goddard" he cried, in abject astonish-
ment. He stood as if stunned by a
blow.
"You think you will win Blanche and
Be1 Aer money! she replied, with
guarded rancor, "but you might as well
renounce your Intentions; she'll never
look in your direction. She can see
what has influenced YOU"
My God! Mrs. Goddard" exclaimed
the young man, with a look of deep
pain, don't misjudge me. If 1 have
dared to feel the most intense admira-
ton for her, have not entertained even
the slightest hope of ever gaining her
favor. No man could live near her, and