Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1901-07-24

prevent its being a happy, easy life.
But it only lasted four months. Alan
and his chief corresponded two or
three times week, but only on bust
ness affairs. II Richard Dempster
heard a rumor of Alans living at San
Ia Rosa as a married man he did not
attach much importance to it. Alan
was doing such good work that he was
almost wasted at zach small center
as Santa Rosa. He knew it himself,
but he had been grateful for the OPP
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
aer, 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 suit
able place for her in the new town.
The news of this separation was like
blow to Veronica. She chung so to
Alan that 1t seemed to him that she
led no life apart from him. But she
made no demur; everything that he
said was law to her. She only lifted
pale face, down which tears were
streaming, to her husband, and said:
But not for long, Alan-not for long!'
mot for week longer than l can
help, darling" he said fervently. He,
too, would feel the separation; he
loved her as one does an affectionate
child who idolizes one. She never pre-
tended to be 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 if she made any difficulties
1t 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 one?" he asked her, on the
eve before his departure. They were
sitting on the verandah 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 poetical nature
was easily touched and his wife's
quiet, dignifed grief made it more diff
ficult to leave than any noisy demon
stration of woe.
Mind it?" she said, her voice vi
brating with passion. Mind 1t? You
don't know what it is to me! 1t is like
tearing soul from bodyl"
He had not thought she had real
depth within her. IF you feel it like
that you will make me miserable" he
said.
will II" She smiled. as if pleased
that she could make him feel mlser-
able you will understand when ]
say that l am pleased, won't you
Alan?"
"My dear child, it is only matter
of weeks! don't suppose that shall
have been there fortnight before
shall have found something suitable
for you. And then, you know, l have
arranged for this house to be taken of
your hands, SO that you may not have
any trouble
IL 10 a uSal DIG bdlu
with half a sign. Il shall always be
grateful to it. 1t is the only place
have ever been happy in"
He pinched her cheek. Men do MOI
always understand why woman
likes one house and not another. 81
shall remember that you like YER
andah with flowers round it," he said
Have you any other likings about a
house, Veronica"
Only that you must be inside it,
she laughed, with rather pitiful at
tempt to be merry. ALAN, you mus
write the instant you arrive, and you
must not mind if my letters are short;
| write such bad letters"
But mine must be long-is that it
little one?"
She laughed again and then she
stopped. How many days before yor
get there, Alan, four or FIVE? And yor
will be on that horrid black water al
night! Oh, hate the thought of it,
He laughed outright at this. "Ant
I sea captains son! Why, love the
water, Veronica 1 could Willingly
spend my life on it!'
The very next day he left. Veronica
had exercised all her strength and
courage, and she nerved herself to wisf
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 nc
coward, so she kept her fears to her
self, only she prayed earnestly that nc
harm might come to her beloved, and
she showed him a bright face before
she left Alan accomplished his foui
DAYS voyage in safety. and wrote