The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-02-01

tire, and he did so, discrcetly closing
the door.
The major was deathly pale and his
hands quivered as with palsy For a
moment he could only stare into the
sympathetic eyes of his ward. who
like a shapely pillar of consolation
stood before him.
blanche, do you think-think she
has gomez" he asked.
II can't say, dear, dear guardian. !
hope not. Don't give up"
He seemed to have a sudden inspira-
ton.
"Come into my study" he said.
She followed and stood in the dark
as he fumbled with the electric light
fixture. In a moment the little room
was illuminated. He pointed to big
iron safe in the corner, and said,
huskily:
"She could not go without means.
She saw me put $4,000 away yester-
day. She has always known the com
bination."
"Oh, she wouldn't dare to take your
money!" exclaimed Blanche.
"She knew l had a deposit in the
bank" he said; "besides, what is mine
is hers. She knows that"
With trembling fingers he turned
the combination bolt. In moment
the heavy door was opened. He drew
out strong box from one of the com
partments in the safe and raised the
lid.
The money was gone.
"That settles It'll" Goddard said
this with more calmness than Blanche
had expected but it was the calmness
of utter despair. He closed the box
almost with scrupulous exactness,
then shut and locked the door of the
safe. He went back into the library
and stood before the fire. his limp
hands clasped in front of him.
Tell me what to do, Blanche" he
said, plaintively. 81 can't give her up.
1 simply cannot! I have been under
bursting shells and whistling lead as
thick as hail and not cared so much as
that" Che snapped his fngers). but
can't face life without her"
A door opened cautiously. wilkins
put in his bald head, fringed with
gray locks.
"Shall serve dinner?" ne asked.
eyes, but l shall not wait" said his
master. 81 am going back to the
city"
Just then there was n ring at the
door. Goddard drew himself up and
listened, n light of sudden eNpecta-
tion in his eyes.
Sign here" boyish voice said to
the footman who had opened the door.
"a telegram" cried the major, and
he went to the door and brought it
back, tearing it open eXcitedly.
Detained in town." he read, tri-
umphantly. perhaps you ought to
come to the Palace hotel to see me.
VIII return in the morning. Jeanne"
"Thank Cod" he exclaimed, joy
ously; then his eyes snatched
thought from the depths of his wards
great staring orbs which made him
glance towards his study and she
saw the joyous rS'l; in his face flick
er as if Il strong breeze of suspicion
had blown upon it, All" he sighed,
"but she intended to go, Blanche; she
intended to leave mel"
lie dropped his hand heavily on the
old-fashioned silver bell on the table.
"My overcoat, and the carriage,
James," was his husky command.
Blanche linked her tapering fingers
over his arm.
"But not before you have eaten your
dinner. dear guardian" she pleaded
When you get to the city she viii
have dined and you may be the worse
for it,"
He waited till James had left the
room: then he said:
81 could not eat a bite right now If
my life depended on it,"
When she had seen him put on his
coat and leave the room she ran to the
window and watched the carriage
drive away at the highest speed of the
blooded horses. Then she went into
the diningroom. bowling to Mr.. Tai
ley, who stood waiting for her. They
took their places at the long table, he
on one side, she on the other. He was
a handsome man of perhaps 27. who
wore no beard and had the strong
features of Il successful actor; his hair
was thick, moderately long and of
blackness which went well with his
dark eyes.
as the major coming in now?" he
asked her, deferentally.
mo, he has had to go back to the
city, Mr.. TalleY; it was a telegram, ]
think"
"Ah!" the young man seemed I'M
able to control his surprise, and then
It became evident that he found much
in her tell-tale face to confirm his
sudden suspicion that all was not go
ing well with his employer,
81 only wished to ask his advice
about some correspondence he direct.
ed me to write" And the secretary's
words contained polite suggestion of
apology for his inquiry.
The soup was brought on by Sarah.
u beg your pardon. miss, but you