The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-05-31
the rear, and disappear in the wood
behind the house.
CHAPTER XVIII.

SWELL" said the young man buoy
antly, the semidarkness preventing
him from observing the disturbed
countenance of his employer; "well,
major, have you seen the market re-
ports?"
| s'No; I haven't had time to-day; L
Ewhereis mywi- Where is Blanche?''
The young man beamed and rubbed
his hands together.
'Then you don't know that the G..
N. & w. has taken jump and il now
actually worth two for one?"
els that so? Where did you say she
WASP" looking up towards the I'M
lighted window of Blanche's room.
ST am afraid you don't realize that
you have made fortune out of this
deal. major" said Talley, crestfallen.
ooh, yes; I am glad, of course" said
Goddard, absently. "But," impatient
ly, 81 want to see Blanche at once!"
"She was walking in the garden on
the other side of the house few min
utes ago." answered the private secre-
tary. 81 beg your pardon; was so
glad to be able to bring you good
news, wanted to ask if you would
advise selling now. The prospect is
glorious for an additional rise. The
stock is on a boom. Even my little
investment has turned out more
money than ever hoped to"
But the major was not listening.
He turned his tortured face away, and
was striding through the dusk to-
wards the garden in the rear. Near
the old granite fountain in the center
of the garden he saw tall, darby
clad figure moving slowly to and fro.
It was the object of his quest. Her
head was bare, but she wore a fur
cape, the high collar of which encom-
passed her head except triangular
opening where her sweet face ap-
peared.
| "Oh, it is you," she cried, his hur-
ried step causing her to turn sudden
ly, and she moved towards him
quickly, her gloved hands out
stretched. ST have something very
important to tell you. started to
| drive to the station to meet you"
81 have something to say first" he
| said, taking her hands.
"What is it? What is the matter?"
| She had noticed the strident quality
| in his voice.
He released her hands, his action
born in the sudden realization of his
| unworthiness to treat her with famil-
| iarity. He glanced over his shoulder
at the house, as if fearing interruption.
"Let's walk down towards the
| wood" he said, 81 have an awful con-
fession to make. When you have
heard it you will despise me. You
| will wish you had never seen me. You
will think me devil incarnate."
AS Blanche moved on by his side
she had suffocating sensation in her
throat, and she unbuttoned her cape
anti threw it further back on her
shoulders. She saw something of vast
| import had happened; she knew that
by the awful alteration in his face and
manner. He bore every evidence of
being utterly crushed.
"Mr. Talley said he had gone into
speculation" was her first thought,
''and he has lost my fortune"
Nothing you can confess could
make me love you one jot less, my
dear husband" she managed to say.
"You have made me so happy that I
would thank God for you if I were a
beggar." Is as -
They paused and stood facing each
other within ten yards of the edge of
the wood, which lay so dense, dark
and mysterious along the lower part
of the garden. But on consoling him
she put her arms round his neck. 81
do love you so much-so very much"
she murmured.
But he took her hands down. "You
must listen to me-" he said, firmly, his
handsome face drawn, as from some
great physical pain. "Oh, my God,
help mel"
The thorns of spreading rosebush
had caught her cape and pulled it
from her shoulders. It lay on the turf
a few yards away.
"Please get it for me-" she said. 81
am little cold"
He went back for it. and was Just
STOPPING to pick it up when he heard
the sharp ringing report of re-
volver, and saw a flash of light in the
edge of the wood.
cts Jeanne!" he thought, and
then he heard Blanche scream.
Run, rum" he cried out to her.
but she seemed too much startled to
stir. She stood staring at the smoke
emerging from the trees as if turned
to stone.
He ran towards her, but Just as he
reached her side <boro -oe oro%h.,.