Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-02-14
for and against this step was that she

for and against this step was that she
along the fern-aecorated corridor to
the door OF the room which had haunt
ed her 80 much of late. To her sur
prise she missed the key from the nail
where it usually hung. Then she no
ticed it in the lock, and that the door
was slightly ajar. Thinking this was
perhaps due to the negligence Of the
servants, the young wife entered and
stood in the center CT the room-a tar
get for sharp memories which were
shooting into her heart from several
objects in the boudoir-Ieanne's couch
and chair, the divan where she had
once seen her husband with his arm
around his wife. Rlanche's face was
set with keenest suffering as she
turned her back on the canopied bed
with its lace coverings, rich tapestries
and down-flled pillows. She was
wondering if, after all, the visit was
going to be productive of good when
she heard a slight rapping noise about
Mrs. Goddard's escritoire, which was
hidden from her view by tall screen
of painted silk in frame of mahog-
any. Blanche advanced and looked
over it. To her horror she saw man
trying to fit a key into the lock Of the
desk. Happening to glance upward
at that instant his startled eyes met
hers.
Blanche uttered a scream of fright
and shrank back.
'For Gods sake, don't! I am not a
thief, miss" exclaimed the man, ris.
ing head and shoulders. above the
screen, the key falling from his
hands.
Blanche paused The thought that
she was alone with him in the great
house showed her the futility OF fight.
but it was the earnestness of his dec.
laration of innocence which detained
her. Besides. now that she had the
man fully in view. there was some.
thing in the regretful expression OF
his rather sad face which inspired con.
fidence. He was well dressed, his hair
and short beard were white as snow
though his face did not bear testi.
mony to more than so years of age.
ell" began Blanche. but she was
unable to steady her voice.
81 know appearances are dead
against me-" said the intruder, "but
hope you won't judge me too harsh.
ly. l am sort of detective engaged
in ferreting out case touching me-
personally"
Blanche stood, her hand ON the door,
still agitated.
Were you admitted by-by the
servant? she asked.
81 must confess that avoided him."
answered the intruder. "If you will
let me pass you, / will go downstairs;
but want to explain. II cannot have
you think
II don't think am afraid of YOU"
said Blanche strangely Gained by his
manner and tone of voice 81 know
that detectives sometimes resort to
bold methods"
But l am not a professional detec-
tive said the man. as he picked up
his hat, which had fallen to the floor.
"As I said, I am seeking information
that concerns me alone. If you wish
you may call your manservant, and he
may be near while l try to explain my
presence here. You have a perfect
right to hand me over to the police,
and if you are generous enough to let
me go, l should want to repay you by
perfect frankness on my part. Be
sides, if am right in my suspicious,
have a most important revelation to
make to the owner of this house"
''You interest me in spite of my
self" said Blanche. "But perhaps we
ought to go down to the drawing
ROOM
'You are quite right" acquiesced
the stranger, and, with a deferential
bow, he passed Blanche, on the thresh-
old of the chamber and descended the
stairs. OF his own accord he turned
into the drawing-room. Our heroine
followed and paused near the door
way. She felt perfectly secure, with
out knowing why.
"Will you pardon me if ask who
you are?" he said, with an apologetic
infection of voice. "Are you related
to Maj. Goddard?"
II am his wife (" said Blanche, sim
ply.
what? Oh, no! Surely mott"
81 have not misinformed you," said
Blanche.
His face had fallen.
"Then l have made an awful mis-
take" he said, "and owe you and
the major a thousand apologies. I
hope you will pardon me. have been
following false clew, and yet" He
seemed to have his first opinion forth
fed by memory, and yet can't see
how can be off the track so badly.
!, 1t would undo me entirely. Surely
you did not have millinery estab-
Gshment on Fifth avenue up to the
time of your marriage
NO." said Blanche, with a start;
perhaps you are thinking of Mai.
Gcddard's first wife
Has he been married twice?" cried
the stranger. why, only two months
ago"
'Mrs. Goddard died-or was drowned
about two months ago."