The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1901-06-06

= LtAHEH ATH.raFErW
you have made a fortune out of this
deal, major" said Talley, crestfallen.
"Oh, yes; I am glad, Of course" said
Goddard, absently. "But, Impatient
~, st want to see Blanche at once!"
"She was walking in the garden on
the other side of the house a few min
utes ago" answered the private secre-
tary. IT beg your pardon; I was so
glad to be able to bring you good
news, I wanted to ask if you would
advise selling now. The prospect is
glorious for an additional rise. The
stock is on a boom. Even my little
investment has turned out more
money than I ever hoped to-"
But the major was not listening.
He turned his tortured face away, and
was striding through the dusk to-
wards the garden in the rear. Near
the old granite fountain in the center
of the garden he saw a tall, darkly-
clad figure moving slowly to and fro.
1t was the object of his quest. Her
head was bare. but she wore a fur
cape, the high collar of which encom
passed her head except a triangular
opening where her sweet face ap-
peared.
"Oh, it is you,'' she cried, his hur-
ried step causing her to turn sudden
~, and she moved towards him
quickly, her gloved hands out
stretched. ST have something very
important to tell you. I started to
drive to the station to meet you"
II have something to say first" he
said, taking her hands.
"What is it? What is the matter?"
She had noticed the strident quality
in his voice.
He released her hands, his action
born in the sudden realization of his
unworthiness to treat her with famil.
iarity. He glanced over his shoulder
at the house, as if fearing interruption
"Let's walk down towards the
wood" he said, 81 have an awful con.
fession to make. When you have
heard it you will despise me. You
will wish you had never seen me. You
will think me a devil incarnate."
AS Blanche moved on by his side
she had a suffocating sensation in her
throat, and she unbuttoned her cape
and threw it further back on her
shoulders. She saw something of vast
import had h%appened; she knew that
by the awful alteration in his face and
manner. He bore every evidence OF
being utterly crushed.
"Mr. Talley said he had gone into
speculation was her first thought.
"and he has lost my fortune"
Nothing you can confess could
make me love you one jot less, my
dear husband" she managed to say
"You have made me so happy hat
would thank God for you if I were
beggar."
They paused and stood facing each
other within ten yards of the edge Of
the wood, which lay so dense, dark
and mysterious along the lower part
of the garden. But on %consoling him
she put her arms round his neck. 81
do love you SO much-so very much
she murmured.
But he took her hands down. "Yor
must listen to me-" he said, firmly, his
handsome face drawn, as from SOM
great physical pain. "Oh, my God
help mel"
The thorns of a spreading rosebusl
had caught her cape and pulled i
from her shoulders. 1t lay on the tur:
a few yards away.
"Please get it for me-" she said. q.
am a little cold"
He went back for it, and was JUS
STOPPING to pick it up when he heart
the sharp ringing report of a re
%volver, and saw a flash of light in tn,
edge of the wood.
"It's Jeanne!" he thought, ant
then he heard Blanche scream.
"Run, rum" he cried out to her
but she seemed too much startled tt
stir. She stood staring at the smoke