The Lamar register., 1900-08-15
one I'm I" Fascinating
" dI ~ Alan Adatr...

any serious topic with her. and there
was part of his nature that was
sealed book to her; but that did not
prevent its being happy, easy life.
But 1t on:y tasted four months. Alan
and his chief corresponded two or
three times week. but only on busi-
ness affairs. If Richard Dempster
heard rumor of Alan's living at San
Ia Rosa as married man he did not
attach much Importance to it Alan
was doing such good work that he was
almost wasted at such a small center
as Santa Rosa. He knew II himself,
but he had been grateful for the op-
portunity of establishing himself
there. Now Richard Dempster wished
him to go further down the coast, to
the growing town of San Iago. to es-
tablish branch of his business there.
1t was four days journey by steam
er. and Alan thought that the best plan
would be to leave Veronica in her own
comfortable little house. with her own
servants, until he could find a suit
able place for her in the new town.
The news OF this separation was like
blow to Veronica She clung SO to
Alan that 1t seemed to him that she
led no life apart from him. But she
made no temur: everything that he
said was law to her. She only lifted
a pale face. down which tears were
streaming. to her husband, and said:
But not for long. Alan-not for long!"
Not for a week longer than / can
help. darling" he said feryently. He,
too. would feel the separation; he
loved her as one does an affectionate
child who ldolizes one. She never pre-
tended to I've on equality with him. and
she was quite content to be just loved
by him and petted: but she loved him
with all the force Of her nature. She
saw that n she made any difficulties
II would only worry him. and SO she
made none: but Alan could not but
notice that she grew thinner day by
day. DO you mind my going so much.
dear little one7" he asked her. on the
eve before his departure. They were
sitting on the yerandah together. on
one of those moonlight nights which
always reminded Alan of the first
time he had seen Veronica. He. too.
was feeling sad. His poeticai nature
was easily touched. and his wife's
quiet. dIgnified grief made It more dif-
ficult TO leave than any noisy demon
stration of woe.
Mind it," she said. her voice vi
bratlng with passion. Mind it, You
don't know what 1t is to mel II is like
tearing soul from bodyl"
He had not thought she had real
depth within her. IF you feel 1t like
that you viii make me miserable" he
said
''wiH II" She smiled. as II pleased
that she could make him feel miser-
able. You will understand when 1
say that am pleased. won't you,
Alan"
My dear child, II Is only a matter
OF weeksl I don't suppose that shall
have been there fortnight before l
shall have found something suitable
for you. And then. you know, have
arranged for this house to be taken on
your hands. so that you may not have
any trouble
1t is a dear little housei" she said.
with half sign. Il shall always be
grateful to IL. II is the only place l
have ever been happy in"
He pinched her cheek. Men do not
always understand why woman
likes one house and not another. Il
shall remsmbc= that you like a YER
andah with flowers round it, he said,
Have you any other likings about n
house. VerunIca?"
Only that you must be inside II"
she laughed. with rather a pitiful at
tempt to be merry. Allan. you must
write the instant you arrive. and you
must not mind IL my letters are short;
| write such bad letters
But mine must be long-is that 1t,
little one?''
She laughed again and then she
stopped. How many days before you
get there. Alan, four or FIVE? And you
will be on that horrid black water at
night! oh. hate the thought Of it,"
He laughed outright at this. And
sea captains son! Why, / love the
water. Veronica, | could willingly
spend my life on it,"
The very next day he left. Veronica
had exercised all her strength and
and she nerved herself to wish
him goodbye; but she had dreamed of
the man who she had known as father,
and that always alarmed her. Still.
though she was nervous she was no