The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-10-18
#Ozyg mir "A Fascinating
90 Romance
"~ 81 by
!" CIV ~ Alan Adai..

abroad. They were on their way to
Liberty's t. buy hangings for their
new abcds when block occurred in
the trafic. Joyce and Alan were
laughing at some foolish joke, and
waiting for their hanson to be allowed
to move on. A slight woman with a
child in her arms attracted his atten-
ton.
The child was about three, and
Alan oould 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. Wien 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? Are you not
well?'
"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 shock.
Are you often like tsis?" she
asked, anxiously. ooh, Alan, there is
only fortnight more, and then I
shall be able to come and take care Of
you always! am sure you do too
much" she added, tenderly.
He gripped her hand hard. tt would
be exquisite to have her with him all
ways; but he was truthful above all
things. II have never been faint be-
FORE" he said.
Then it is the prospect of spending
life with me tAat alarms you," she
said. gaily. Alan had regained his
usual color and his usu.s. 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 stoI3ed. He did so yearn
to be entire.s. che 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 Joyces 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 ank-offering-for what
have got!"
Joyce was too much in sympathv
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.
HTnuoo - hA coiI
you, because it is difficult to make YOU
understand. When our cab stopped in
Oxford street. and turned faint. I
saw woman with 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"
mo, MOI" he said, cit 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 to think Of losing you. If 1 had
to wait another two months instead of
Two weeks think I should go mad!"
He pushed his hair from his brow
and leant his head on his hand. Joyce
saw that he was overdone and nerv-
Gus, and that she must brace him IN
little. She recognized, with a gush
OF thankfulness to God. that here was
man who loved her as few men love
women. and that the poor dead girl
could never have had his heart. 1t
was only pity. as he had said. She saw
this in fash even as she looked at
him.
Alan" she said softly, 'sput away
these fears, sweetheart. See, here
am; look at me. I 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?
NO; we belong to each other for al
ways, and Here comes our lunch.
and you will have to 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
watc1sd the boats go down the grimy
but alTlit bosom Of Mother Thames,
for s-G 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.