Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-14

laughing at some foolish joke. and
waiting for their hanson TO be allowed
to move on. \ slight woman with
child in her arms attracted his atren-
ton.
The child was about three. and
Alan could see that his head was COW
cred with rich brown curls He could
not see the woman. but the pose of
her head seemed familiar to him In
an instant the color fOrsOOk his face,
and everything seemed to turn black
before his eyes. When he had re-
gained control over himself the wOm-
an was gone joyce turned quickly
and saw the pallor on his face.
Alan" she cried, in alarm, my
darling. what is it? Arc you not
wsll?"
"A passing faintness," he said. He
could not tell her that this strange
woman carrying a child. and whom of
course he had never seen before, re-
minded him of Veronica and it gave
him a shock.
asked, anxiously "Oh, Alan, there is
only a fortnight more, and then 1
shall be able to come and take care Of
you always. l am sure you do too
much, she added, tenderly.
He gripped her hand hard 1t would
be exquisite to have her with him al
ways; but he was truthful above all
things Il have never been faint be-
fore, he said.
Then it is the prospect of spending
life with me that alarms you" she
said. gaily Alan had regained his
usual color and his usual manner
The cab stopped at the door of the
shop, and he sprang out TO help her
down. They were both very much in
earnest over their purchase. Joyce
had exquisite taste, and Alan was
deeply interested in getting all that
she wanted; but he was conscious all
the time of feeling of strain Do
what he would he could not get the
woman'S figure out of his head. It
was an utter absurdity that this
strange woman with her child should
have so upset him, and he hated him
self for the thought that he must al
ways keep something from Joyce.
Although she knew all about it, vet
he felt that he should not have liked
to tell her why he turned faint when
the hanson stopped He did so yearn
to be entirely one with the girl who
had promised herself to him, and how
could he with the shadow of the past
over him? And all the time that he
criticized Joyce's hangings, and the
colors and tints that would do we'll
with her fair skin and light hair. he
felt an undercurrent of restlessness.
Its only because my happiness has
made me nervous | feel like the old
Greeks, who made libations to their
gods when some great good fortune
happened to them. If could only give
sOmething-a thdnk-offering- what
| have got"
Joyce was too much in sympathy
with him not TO know that something
was worrying him. They went to
lunch at some quiet place, and when
she had got her gloves off she put her
hand in his and said: Now, what is
worrying you? | must know"
He looked at her. and, to her sur
prise, his eyes were full of tears.
Joyce he said, Il cannot quite tell
you, because it is difficult to make you
understand. When our cab stopped in
Oxford street, and l turned faint. |
saw woman with a child who re-
minded me OF poor dead Veronica.
Mind you, did not see her face, but
something in her walk was like,
and"
Joyce was as pale as Alan had been.
1T has made you sad. Alan You
loved her more than you thought"
No, no." he said, it is not that
at all. Joyce. but the sight of that
strange woman made me realize how
necessary you are to me. Darling, it
is because | love you so that | cannot
bear 10 think of losing you. If had
10 wait another two months instead of
two weeks | think | should go mad,"
and leant his head on his hand. Joyce
saw that be was overdone and nerv-
Gus. and that sae must brace him I'D
a little. She recognized. with a guSh
of thankfulness to God, that here was
a man who loved her as few men love
women, and that the poor dead girl
could never have had mis- heart. 1t
was only pity, as he had said She saw
this in a flash even as she looked at
him
Alan" she said softly, put away
these fears, sweetheart See. here |
am; look at me- | am yours till death
and after Death itself has no terrors
of separation for people who love as
We. What do you think-that flesh
and blood could contain our love?
Nos We belong to each other for al
ways. and Here comes our lunch.
and you will have 20 eat it,
And he did eat it, cheered by the
sunshine of her eyes and the music
OF her voice. And after lunch they
sat up in one of the balconies and
watched the boats go down the grimy
but sunlit bosom Of Mother Thames,
for the hotel looked out upon the river.
And Alan smoked, and they made
plans for the future. Where they
would go, and what they would do,
and what they would see, together, to-
gether. together always. And they
talked OF the folly of married men and
W. n hni 70