Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1897-01-27

prOacHed nlmSelI IOr not nnulnB out
more about her-perhaps she was sick
or had met with an accident. At any
rate, she knew his name and address
why didn't she at least drop him
line? Surely it was cruel to leave him
in such uncertainty He brooded over
what might possibly have happened to
her, till his health began to fail. He
had never thought the daily walk of
few blocks could mean so much to him.
Several weeks passed by and tho
chair still continued vacant. On the
very day his two years was up Joe re-
membered that she had spoken Of
Oconomowoc one day In connection
with her family. He would ask for
few days respite from work and go
up there. He had never asked for a
vacation and they surely would not re-
fuse him. Besides, it was not far from
Chicago and many Chicago men went
up Saturday nights to spend Sunday
! with their families who were stopping
there. Anyhow he would go for the
rest of the week-possibly he might
see her or learn of her and the change
would do him good even If he didn't
The next morning, Wednesday, he
started. He could only be spared for
for the rest of the week, but what
might not happen in four whole days?
When he arrived at the depot of the
pretty little Wisconsin town he found
/ himself anXiously looking around
though he condemned himself for his
foolishness in doing so-why should
she be around the depot If she was in
the town?
After he had registered at hotel he
wandered aimlessly about the town.
admiring the handsome houses and the
beautiful twin lakes, and watching the
launches, filled with happy campers
| dartlng to and fro. In the afternoon
he hired boat and tried to fish, but
after couple of hours effort, when
only couple of slcltly looking dog
fish rewarded his efforts, he gave it
up in disgust and returned to the no
tel.
At dinner that evening he was made
aware of the fact that circus was in
| town by a couple sitting across the
! table from him. who had come in from
the surrounding country and were 60
Ing. In the barber-shop also there was
nothing talked of but the circus. 1t
made him feel quite at home to see the
enthusiasm created by the mere fact
of circus being in town. How differ
ent from Chicago, where nothing
seemed to be able to command but
passing interest.
Then ne remembered that at home
everybody went to the circus-why
shouldn't they do it here?-and per-
haps she might be there He would
go to the circus
1t was little late when Joe reached
the tent. He had not calculated on
how many would be ahead of him for
the single barber's chair nor how long
it would take the hotel bootblack to
put a satisfactory gloss on his shoes.
AS he entered the tent he went down
the open space to the ropes and start
ing at one end glanced as critically at
each face as the Pickering OF the gas.
oline lamps would allow. OF sudden
he stopped, rubbed his eyes and looked
again. Yes, surely that was Margaret
looking fairor and more winsome than
ever, appearing quite out of place
among the rustics who surrounded her
and, wonder of wonders, there was
an empty seat beside her. In a matter
of ten minutes Joe had forced his way
to where she sat and found himself at
her side. She appeared glad to see
him and Joe felt supremely happy as
avnlnnot hpth ci1ae Iair
made-though he thought it strange
that she assigned no reason for her
sudden departure from Chicago.
All things must have an end and the
entertainment came to a close. Joes
request to 'ses her home" had been
accepted and he seemed to be treading
on air as he left the tent with the lit
tie hand resting lightly on his arm.
AS they were nearing a crossing and
Joe was opening up subject of car
rying on correspondence a woman's
form came under the light across the
way. Margaret half turned around
to go back with Gracious, there's
maj" Joe looked more closely and
saw a middle-aged woman with de-
terminedlooling face hurrying toward
them. She took Margaret sharply by
the arm and drew her to one side as
she said:
I've been hunting for you every
where-what made you change your
seat? We won't trouble this young
man for. his company any further
with scathing look at Joe-"I'm
ashamed of you. out with young man
and your wedding only three days off.
I'll be glad when Frank has you to
look after instead of me-"