Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1903-02-18
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
THE MEETING ON THE STRAND. 4
Jack lost not second in capturing
the bit of pasteboard It was simply
a carte de visite and gave the address
Of her grandfather's city house.
overton made up his mind that
come what would that night should
see him at the address she had given,
to hear from her own lips his doom.
Until that had been pronounced he
could not and would not believe that
she meant to cast him aside.
AS he swung down the crowded
Strand he was suddenly aware of a
gentle pull at his sleeve, a modest lit
tie jerk. entirely lacking the assur-
ances that might suggest a bold seek
er after aims
@oh, Mr. Jack!H said quick voice
in accents of eagerness.
An when Oyerton looked down
from his six feet, and saw the girls
rosy face half shrouded in blue hood,
he experienced such genuine pleasure
that the haunted. deyil-may-care ex-
preston gave way to glow Of sin
cere satisfaction as he caught the
hand she had laid on his own and
squeezed it IN his own broad palm.
Ii he hurt her the girl gave no sign.
Bless me. Niazette. Tits Is a pleas
ure now Fancy our meeting in the
crowded streets OF London. How do
you get on? Has fortune looked your
way? | hope and trust those divine
little miniature portraits on ivory
bring you In fair income among
these people Of your blood"
Thus he chartered on. Mazette
looked up to the long-legged, big
hearted American as prince Of men.
Secretly she adored him. but no one
ever knew that his face was the
shrine at which the modest child OF
nature worshipped, for, like most
girls OF the present day, Mazstte re-
fused to wear her heart upon her
sleeve for DAVIS to peck at
what brings you here, Mr.. Jack?"
she asked.
Overton WINGED as he remembered
the nature Of his hasty jump from
Paris. Then he made UP his mind
to unburden his soul. and having re-
solved to make the plunge, he started
in with an impetuosity that startled
his demure little companion.
II Jack had been able to look under
that blue hood while he poured out
his passionate story he might have
received something Of shock. Most
certainly poor Mazette was experience
ing one.
1T is hard to give advice, Mr. Jack.
She has not thrown you over yet :"
she said,
You know Fedora SO we'll, you
should be able to judge what she will
do-whether or not the glitter of gold
would tempt her to give up the man
to whom she swore deathless fealty.
Tell me truly, little friend. although
would bless you for words Of COM
fort. still only desire to know what
you belieye--the truth, even IL 1t kill
me-"
You must be calm. Mr. Jack. Even
though you lost Fedora. there are
other things in the world worth living
for" she began, slowly. painfully
He uttered a hollow groan.
"Ah. money is very powerful Mr.
Jack. It makes the strongest weak
You must not think too harshly Of her
II the temptation proves irresistible"
Already you fear the worst" he
exclaimed, God help me Il 1t proves
to be so. You would never condemn
the man you loved, Mazette; sell him
for filthy lucre
Thanks for your good opinion. No
one may ever know how strong they
are until the temptation has come
she replied steadily but deep down in
her heart the little artist girl was
saying over and over again; mot
for all the gold In the world, nor for
precious stonen, would I sell his love
II It we're only mine.
Mazette adroitly changed tho con-