Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-04-03

q It IL. You knew when I became
your wife that I could not remain
stationary-not progress. When
married you it was clearly understood
that I was to be able to crafty GER
tain desires that frankly confessed
had always had a firm hold on me.
Well, your recent speculations have
reduced us to Lyndhurst and . trivial
income" -, ": 80
"But it will be secure" he rejoined,
desperately.
ooh, don't doubt its security, Row
land, dear, but it is hardly more than
these two hands and my brain used
to earn. Oh, you can see what mean!
| I am simply an ambitious woman. I
want things. I want power, and am
going to get my desires through you,
dear husband, or we must part COM
pany. love you as much as any wom-
an could love man, but my ambition
is at least half of me, and it will drag
me away from you if you don't come
to my assistance"
"Jeanne, you know I would do any.
thing in my power to crafty you. I
know I have violated part of our
matrimonial contract, but I could not
help things taking such an unexpect-
ed turn.''
! She stroked his hand caressingly
and raised it to her warm, red lips.
"Listen to me-" she began, laying
her head on his broad shoulder. II
want to tell you something you do not
know, then I shall propose plan.
You remember that DR.. Fleming, the
famous English expert on heart
troubles, came to see Blanche month
ago-the day before he returned to
London"
eyes, I remember that" said tho
major, wonderingly.
"Well, perhaps it was because he
thought I looked as if I could keep a
secret-and some one ought to know
the truth-that he made an important
disclosure to me. He was deeply con-
cerned after he had examined Blanche
and sent for me to meet him in the IL
brary. He then told me, and his face
was actually pale, for he seemed to
like her, that she had the most fatal
case of saortic aneurism' he called it
AN acute disease of the heart-that
he had ever met with in all his ex-
perience."
my God, you can't be serious!" ex-
claimed the major. "She looks so
well-and yet, remember, she is TAX
ing his medicines"
"Dr. Fleming explained that to all
outward appearances she would be-
even to the end. as healthy looking
as perfectly sound person. He says
she cannot possibly live longer than
two years, and that it is most likely
that she will drop off sooner-at any
moment. The least excitement or un
usual exertion may kill her instantly
"Does Blanche know of her condi'
tion?" asked the major, almost for
getting his own troubles in his vast
sympathy for his ward.
''No: oh, no! DR.. Fleming said that
the knowledge of it would only prey
on her mind and hasten the end. HI
was afraid to tell you; he said mel
wereaptt to show so much concern ove1
matters of that kind that patient,
would suspect the truth. I promised
him faithfully not to hint it to a soul
so you must never mention it or lei
her suspect you are anxious about
> her,
'Can nothing be done?"
absolutely nothing; the mecscin1
she is taking is just what she needs
and he even advised me not to have
her consult any other doctor. I pre-
sumo, considering the fact that he il
such great authority, his wishes
even on that score, ought to be re
spected."
II presume so,' responded the ma
jor; "'but isn't it awful?" Then h,
came back to his own affairs almos
with start. He frowned and sa'
silently looking at the fire. 1t was al
if he were wondering what connection
this disclosure could have with hi!
wife's strange flight. He gently ex
pressed this idea to her presently.
"After Ileftyou to-day I got to think
ing about it," was her answer, and he1
fingers frightened on his. "Blanch.