Waterbury Democrat., 1901-01-03

1 you have done since is going to count. She spoke lightly, and smiled as she laid her head on his shoulder.
 The next day was Sunday, and az l Miss Dean had gone home, they drove alone to the village, about two miles distant, to attend church. Blanche | had never looked so well. The crisp air brought the blood into her cheeks and blew her hair into froth of gold i about her eyes and brow.
 "Perhaps we ought not to drive so far,'' he said, solicit ousiy, as they were entering the carriage. Do you think Dr. Fleming would approve of it?'' He said outdoor exercise was what needed most" answered Blanche. Don't worry about me; the medicine he prescribed is making me strong again. Did you notice the breakfast ate? l was ashamed of my appe- tite.''
 He was silent a moment as they drove along, then he gravely said:
 T want you to go to a good phy- sician tomorrow and ask his advice. Dr. Flening.''
 "Oh, don't begin that" said Blanche, pretending to pout. T am getting along beautifully
 But IT want-you must see doc- tor" he stammered. T shall feel bet ter now to know that everything is be- ing done that should be done for you"
 You talk as if 1 were going to die," said the girl. Why, I've just begun to live.''
 For a moment he looked confused. He could not reveal his real fears, and
 I,1o ol,o her condition.
 ''Of course, it isn't anything serious" he said; 'but still to please me you will let me send for Dr. Fralich''
 No, I don't know him, and I don't like to make new acquaintances. Be sides, Dr. Fleming is coming to New York in about ten days. l promised faithfully to see him when he re- turned"
 How do you know he is coning?" asked the major, in surprise.
 II had note from him yesterday. He explained that he was coming to New York earlier than he expected, :UHing to a sudden change in his plans. will go to see him. if you insist on it, but I know he will tell me 1 have taken enough of his toncs.'
 Well. that will do,' said Goddard, reluctantly. He thought of the crim- son pictures in the medical book he had consulted, and his heart sank. After all, his new-found happiness was >cnlv to end in her death, and then
 Goddard's meditations about Blanche always stopped there. lie had shut lis real wife out of his thoughts as
 men who are striving for better things shut out the memory of past
 evil deeds and associations.
 That night when the house was still
 and he found himself alone in his study he forced himself to the task Of com 1nuDicating with Jeanne. And as I can in no better way reveal the workings of his heart, I shall reproduce the let.
 ter word for word.
 In beginning it he wrote "Dear
 Jeanne,' but there he stopped abrupt 1 ly. and sat staring at the words for
 several minutes, then he tore the sheet into small bits and let them filter
 through his fingers. His letter began } simply as follows:
 "Well. I have at last done your bidding was rnadman. I confess that-the very
 flames of hell had scorched my brain.
 have committed unspeakable crime against the purest, loveliest creature tha God ever gave life to. You will be sur.
 prised perhaps to find that I have changet
 so quickly, and really I,have changed com pleteiy. The scales have fallen from my
 sight. l feel like a man who has been hyp notized and wakes to find he has murdered
 his best friend. I despise myself as nc
 mortal ever despised himself before. now know that my passion for you was the blirdest, most insane infatuation tha I ever dragged the soul of a man from a1 r atmosphere of hope down into the 1nire O
 heliish desponGency. now know that In1 |, love for my ward was the only pure love l I have ever experienced. Yes, loved he n when I met you, and I love her now witt . all the tortured soul within me. 1 havt = wronged her es man ever wronged pure, unsuspecting woman, but as her lift l. will be of such short Gura ton. if car
 prevent it she shall never know Of tn.
 stain have put upon her fair name. Whil,
 she lives I shall lavish all the tendernes l. of my soul on her, praying to God that O may in that way atone little-a very little J for my crime against her. She married H me to comfort me ir my loneliness; I mar
 ried her at the bidding of an intrigue ?, Of the most unpardonable type. I Woult
 confess all at this moment but for the fea
 that the shock would kill her. How coult 't I tell her that you are alive, and that 1 an e not her legal husband?
 , T would not write to you now, but fo the fact that it is due you to know th l. stand l have taken. and that must roy e thoroughly understand each other in re d gard to Blanche's fortune. As God is m , judge do not want her money, and q u God is my judge you shall never lay you l. covetous hands upon it. shall at ono :? take precautions to see that. 2 her deatl E. the money shall go to her blood relatives
 As you, I shall never willingly yo le again, nor write you another line froT l. this day forth. l my duty and sha ,- do it. Any letter you write me will be re :. turned to you unopened Do your worst io If you wish to publish to the world tha g you and I have played on it's creduljty, q If so, shall then confess to the part l too d ir your scheme. As much ! now hat 0 you would not let you bear all the blame e, I guilty as you because I a mar is I herewith enclose a draft payable to Mrs a. Nolan; it is all the money I can send yo
 now. l about to enter into a specula
 tion in railway stock and if it turns ou D. well l shall send you more. money. Yo are my wife and I shall provide for yo ! as well my own means will allow bu III Of Bianche's money you nor 1 shall eve ". have penny. I shall try to get ne n |, t of my own resources to keep yo . quiet at least as long as Blanche lives, br
 you need not look to me for large remit ,o taaces. I am not exactly under you Id thumb; your threats of. exposure wi m rot frighten me. I desperate. 1 war
 Blanche to know what am. I cannot ac