The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-03-14
- CI APTER NI-Cont;nued.

try as l will, cannot make myself
care for him. This voyage gives me
infinite pleasure because I shall be free
if only for little while. But you must
not tell him.
"Never; it would kill him-break his
heart!" exclaimed Blanche; "he loves
you with all his soul. ! don't see how
you could be with him every day and
Don't reproach me, begged the old
er woman, giving another glance at the
Bible. II have been trying to get for
giveness to-day. I have actually been
on my knees half dozen times, but
rest-peace of mind will not come.
Then-Blanche, are you superstitious?
'Not much, think, Mrs. Goddard.'
well, it must be the natural condi-
ton of wicked people. am full of SUI
perstition. I am always looking for
punishment in some supernatural way,
and right now it seems nearer to my
heels than ever. Have you ever heard
of Nine. Legare, the fortune teller?''
Blanche had, and she sat wide-eyed
with surprise as Mrs. Goddard con-
tinued:
II went to see her this afternoon.
have heard so many wonderful things
she has foretold. She seems to be able
to look right through the curtain Of
the future and to actually tear it down
from the past. I don't know what
made me decide to go, but when the
idea presented itself I went without
stopping to weigh the consequences.
Her house is in West Fiftieth street,
and when I went in and the man had
closed the front door I found myself
in total darkness. I assure you I felt
as If were actually in my grave. Even
the sound of the wagons and carriages
in the street was shut out. The at
tendant gave me his hand, and, whis-
pering to me that I had nothing to
fear, he led me into a dark, still room
on the right of the entrance. There he
left me for at least half an hour. T
my senses, but did not dare get up to
retrace my steps. I seemed to breathe
only the stuffy darkness, and absorb
new horrors from my surroundings.
Presently a soft glow as delicate as tho
first touches of sunlight on the eastern
skies shone in front of me. This grew
into sort of rosy radiance, and then
gauzy curtain seemed to be lifted,
and l saw woman reclining on couch
under faint pink light. I knew that
it was Nine. Legare and that she was
in her famous trance condition. Just
then the attendant came to me and
whispered that l was to advance and
stand by her couch alone As soon as
had done so Nine. Legare began to
speak.
1.-The person before me is threatened
with sad calamity were her first
words. Then, although she could not
possibly have known that knew of her,
or had the slightest intention of con-
sulting her, she gave me a clear, true
outline of my past life"
Very strange, indeed" said Blanche.
1T was. to be sure,'' went on Mrs.
Goddard. And what she told me of
the past made me dread more than ever
her first statement. I presently found
courage to ask her what she meant bv
that allusion.
"'You are about to take voya oe.'
said she, after moments reflection.
and, while you may come back safely,
am afraid you will die away from Your
native land
"Would you advise me to stay at
home?' asked her.
"'No, you need not try to escape
your fate she answered.. In fact. YOUR
impulse to go away from America is
step in the right direction, and if YOU
have to die it would be better to die
while trying to atone for that which
you regret so Sincerely"
"How very awful" exclaimed
Blanche. The recital had really ex-
cited her beyond description.
Her, warning has brought all tho
good there is in me to the surface" de-
clared Mrs. Goddard. II want to stop
right now and try to beat a retreat
md disentangle myself from the tolls
my sin has wound around me-" The
speakers voice dwindled away into 81.
1ence. Then she seemed to make a re-
solve to be more candid than ever.
blanche" she sighed, II have not
. told you the worst yet. Ihave wronged
you more than I did him-more than I
ever did anybody in my life, because
you were so young at the time, and I
struck you from the DARK
"Wronged me?" The girl drew her
self up with sudden intuition of what
was coming.
Yes: you, my poor, innocent child.
When the major first began to come to
see me it was simply that he might
pour his love for you int sympa thetic
ear. He was madly in love with you.
He could talk of nothing but his beauti-
! full ward. I had heard of his riches,
and / at once set about to dethrone
you. laid the most adroit plans to Sc