The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-03-28

/ i1lereAtly towards you, my
Eold friend, 50 go ahead. feel that
I God will slet me help you. think i
have helped every soul that has ever.
Econfessed to me.','sA -. rs ~ e.
Then in a low, uneven voice Goddard
told the story of his first love for his
ward, his intention of making her his
lwife. s*s & - Sc z>s IS
. All, I rene Der that well!'' put in
Father Surtees. remember when
you first came to me in your boyish
enthusiasm and told me about her.
/ Then you remember, when you intro-
Educed me to her, how-her rare beauty.
her wonderful personality swept me
>of my=feet in admira ion. Why, old
man, l felt like shouting for joy when
you told me she was to be your wife,
- Then I met the other" said God
dard - : : - - - D.. - .-
"Ah, yes, you met the other!' The
eyes Of the priest were fixed on the
rug at his feet. And as the major
began the second part of his recital,
and plunged into the details Of
Jeanne's plot, Father Surtees' face
seemed to turn to bronze in the fitful
CLEANS of the burning Goals. He sat
listening with clenched hands, his fine
features almost awry from the mental
strain upon him. =
-&""Merciful God!" he exclaimed.
II knew you would be quite unpre-
pared for my disclosure,'' said God
dard. "You see, even your church
| n rfo1 ~
pendous offenses against human law
and order''
And you say you now love
Blanche?" said the priest.
AS [ never dreamt I could love-
it has been a revelation of all the
forces of tenderness which lay DOR
mant in me. There is but one solu-
God has visited this love upon me as
the only adequate punishment for my
crime. I tell you there is a hell. I
am in it. l had rather undergo the
physical pangs of an eternity in burn
ing flames than to bear this month
longer"
Father Surtees clasped his quivering
hands between his knees.
God have mercy on you," he said.
"Poor, poor Blanche! l have never
seen a creature nearer to God, my
friend.' .. 49,
For about five minutes nothing
more was said. Then Goddard broke
the stiffness.
81 have thought of suicide,'' he said.
THAT could not possibly help you
or her." declareA the priest.
II am withheld even from that cow
ardly act because the shock would kill
her. Don't you see how am buffeted
about by the consequences of my
crime?"
81 see I see. And for the same rea-
son you cannot tell her that she is not
your wife"
mo, that would kill her. DR.. Flem-
ing said she would not be able to bear
the slightest shock or excitement"
when did you see him? -.
] Il have not seen him since he exam.
ined Blanche r"
"How did you find out that Blanche
has this this terrible disease?"
II have just told you that Jeanne
told me that DR.. Fleming had con-
fded it to her. He enjoined it on her
to keep it even from me, and by all
means from Blanche.'
"Ah!" Father Surtees' brows were
knitted together. AS he uttered that
exclamation he rose and began to
walk back and forth across the room.
| Md ho
Goddard.
DO you think she could have in
duced you to take hand in this plot
If you had believed Blanche to be per-
fectly sound, physically
certainly not; it is because she has
such a short life, and" r.
Father Surtees laid his hand on the
majors shoulder -
'"Then,'' he said, "your wife must
have known that it would require
most extraordinary pressure to induce
you to enter into her scheme, and
and has it never occurred to you that
her story may be a deliberate lie out
of whole cloth?"
The major could hardly formulate
an answer His eyes were wide open,
and his face was like death mask
"Blanche," he began, presently, lis
taking DR.. Fleming's medicines. I
have seen that" - -
Medicines" said the priest, "are
often given for slight ailments. That
fact ought not to substantiate the
statement of your wife-that fiend in
carnate-especially when it looks as
if she could have gated her purpose
by misleading .-ou.' :~ -. r. e., -
Maj. Goddard groaned. As he bowed
there beneath the earnest look of his
friend he seemed wreck of past man
Illness. x~@, -. : -s@.- =. :
what can I do?~ Is there any
thing?'' :. : H.
"There is but one thing right now
answered Father Surtees. You
ought to go at once to see this DR..
Fleming. I see by the papers that he
arrived Yesterday and is at the Sher.