Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-06-19
CHAPTER NXI-Covr1NrE

CHAPTER NVI.-CoNT1NUED
"Ah!" Father Surtees' brows were
knitted together. AS he uttered that
exclama ton he rose and began to
walk back and forth across the room.
Suddenly he turned and stood over
Goddard.
"Do you think she could have in
duced you to take hand in this plot
If You had believed Blanche to be per-
fectly sound, physically?"
certainly not; it is because she has
such short life, and
Father Surtees laid his hand on the
majors shoulder.
Then he said. "your wife must
have known that it would require
most extraordinary pressure to induce
you to enter into her scheme, and
and has it never occurred to you that
of whole cloth?''
The major could hardly formulate
an answer. His eyes were wide open,
and his face was like death mask.
'Blanche,' he began, presently, ''is
taking DR.. Jennings medicines. 1
have seen that"
Medicines" said the priest, fare
often given for slight ailments. That
fact ought not to substantiate the
statement of your wife-that fiend in
carnate-especially when it looks as
if she could have gated her purpose
by misleading .:ou.''
Maj. Goddard groaned. AS he bowed
there beneath the earnest look of his
friend he seemed wreck of past man
liness
What can I do? Is there any
thing?'
There is but one thing right now"
answered Father Surtees. 'sYou
ought to go at once to see this DR..
Fleming. I see by the papers that he
arrived yesterday, and is at the Sher-
man house,
There was a startled stare in the
eyes of the major as he rose.
"Come with me- he said, huskily;
'come with me-
II should like to. I am very impa-
tient, Rowland, to know the truth on
that point. Much depends on it; very
much"
In moment the priest had put on
his overcoat and hat, and the two men
were walking down the avenue to-
wards the hotel just mentioned.
Il shall wait down Aere for you,''
said the priest. when they had entered
the office of the hotel and been told
that DR.. Fleming was in. Goddard
sent up his card, and in few mo-
ments he received permission to go
up.
All, Maj. Goddard" cried DR.. Flem-
ing, a tall, .heavy-set, full-bearded
man, as he came to meet his visitor
II was half expecting to meet your
wife to-day, but this is an unexpected
surprise. hope she is not indisposed.'
Il think she is no worse" said the
major, helplessly, as he drew off his
gloves. I'm fact, she did not know
was coming.''
But you are not going to fancy
yourself i'll, Maj. Goodard," said the
physician, lightly. you are nervous;
that's all. l detected that fact when
took your hand; but otherwise you
are as sound as block of me STEEL"
''It is about Blanche, who is now
my wife, that called,' said the major
'You-you knew, presume, that my
first wife, .-*a-
DR.. Fleming saw, that Goddard was
unable to finish his remark.
And I was awfully shocked to hear
of the accident, assure you; and I
was glad to hear of your recent mar
rage Your ward was one of my
notwithstanding patients. You will
pardon an old man like me, who is old
enough to be her father, when I take
the liberty of saying she is one of the
finest characters I ever met. You
know it is almost an instinct with my
profession to be able to read human
nature well. Maj. Goddard, you are to
be envied.''
II am sorry" said the major, "that
you did not speak to me of her physi-
cal condition when she began to take
your treatment; hut, of course, you
knew best as to the ACCESSIBILITY of
taking me into your confidence. 1
may as we'll tell you That Mrs. God
dard, just before sailing for England,
con6aed to me what you had told her
about Blanche's con-4tion.''
DR.. Fleming raised his bushy, iron
gray eyebrows inquiringly; then he
said:
II was really somehow under the
4 impression that you were present,
major, when I talked to the ladies at
your house. i am really curious to see
your ward again. I'll venture she
weighs ten pounds more than she did,
and has complexion that couldn't be
3 bought by all the wealth of the
earth.'' 9zs. l:. z.= j.
#s DC sou mean that there is really
really hope for her?'' gasped the ma
jor. Ssh
s. Hope 9 for herr + Why, Whist q Jon