Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1901-08-07

now what the separation from him
must have meant to Veronica and
how, when she was drowning even
her one regret would be that she
should see his face no more!
The preparations for the wedding
went on apace. Joyce was very popu-
lar among her friends, and quite recog-
nized to be pearl among Womanhood.
Old General Grenville, her father, had
a large acquaintance, who were all
disposed to make much of the beauti
full, bright girl. Not few men were
envious of Alan's luck. There was
quite little stir in the circle of which
Joyce was the ornament. 1t only
wanted a fortnight to the wedding,
and Joyce and her betrothed were
driving down Regent street together.
1t was the beginning of May, and they
were to be married on the seven
teenth. Both Joyce and Alan were
willing to forego the details of the
London season. They had taken a
charming house in the country, where
they intended to spend the summer in
honeymooning. If they liked the
neighborhood and it suited them,
they thought of buying it, as little
country house where they could live
when tired of London. But for this
season 1t was to be their home as
soon as they had returned from
abroad They were on their way to
Liberty's to buy hangings for their
/ ohndo VI hlnpk pnattrrad in
the traffic. Joyce and Alan were
laughing at some foolish joke, and
waiting for their hanson to be allowed
to move on. A slight woman with
child in her arms attracted his atten-
| 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? Are you not
well?'
"a passing faintness," he said. He
could not tell her that this strange
woman carrying child, and whom of
course he had never seen before, re-
minded him of Veronica, and it gave
him a shock
Are you often like this?" she
asked, anXiously. ooh. Alan, there is
only a fortnight more, and then
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 1t would
be exquisite to have her with him al
ways; but he was truthful above all
things II have never been faint be-
fore. he said.
Then 1t 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. 1t
was an utter absurdity that this
| CT N Oa with oh aAN
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, yet
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 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.
It's 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. II could only give
something-a thank offering what
have gotl"
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