nouelist.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2605, 23 March 1889, Page 1 (Supplement)

nouelist.

[ALL IUGIITS KiiSt'KVKU.] TWICE~TRIED,

13Y ANNIE S. SWAN, Author of "Alderayde," " Cavlowrie," " Across Her rati;,'' " Sundered Heart.-',' &c,, &c.

CHAPTER XXIII. —Continued. It was a great relief to Joan that day when her husband cauie home. By that time the child seemed to be easier, and Robert assured her she need have no ground for her fears ; it was but a touch of cold, he felt sure, which would speedily pass away. So dearly did Robert Angus love his wife that lie could not bear to see a cloud upon her brow. He had studied that dear face so closely and so often during the years they had been together that lie could divine any thought that found expression on it. His child was dear to him, but the mother was infinitely more precious in his sight. If he could have helped it, no shadow of anxiety or pain should ever touch her heart. And yet, how powerless he was to turn aside the dark and terrible cloud rising slowly but surely, above their home? "While they were at dinner Joan told him of Mrs. Harrington's call, and the approaching arrival of her sister, Lady Finch. " I feel sorry for her ; more especially as Mabel tells me she is one of these still, reserved natures. They always suffer most, because they so seldom find vent," said Joan musingly. " Robert, I sometimes wonder whether it is a sin to love as we do. Can it be right for us to depend so utterly on human love 'I I often fear not." " How can it be wrong 1 The faculties for loving are God-implan-ted. We cannot help them being called into life." " No, but when it comes to this that the very thought of being parted brings a sort of horror with it, I fear it is carried beyond the limit and yet I cannot help it, How could I estrange my heart from you now 1 " My dearest, you are morbidly fanciful to-day !" said Robert Angus, anxiously. "You are too much indoors. Promise me you not will confine yourself so much." " There ! see how the very fancy that I am out of sorts upsets you said Joan, smiling faintly. " You should not be so sensitive where I am concerned, though I find your solicitude very sweet. I hope—l hope we are not making idols oi eachother." Joan spoke very gravely now, as if weighed down, as indeed she was, with "some inner misgiving anc doubt. As the days went hy this strange feeling of depression no ijuit Jot\n Angus, but the increasing

weakness and debility of her little son occupied all her thoughts. Doctor Roberts shook his head when the idea of travelling was mentioned, but did not say what lie thought—that the child would never be well again. For a week or two Joan was never out of doors. She: heard that Lady Finch and her family had arrived safely, and that they had taken up their abode in one of the quiet squares near Hyde Park, but she was too much absorbed in her own anxiety to feel her usual kindly interest in the affairs of others. "Early in February the east winds fled at the approach of spring. The air grew mild and balmy, tender buds began to glisten on hedge and tree, and in the borders the spring flowers burst suddenly into bloom. With the advent of more genial weather Joan fancied there was a change for the better iu her darling, but when she hinted it anxiously to her husband, he could not truly say he observed it. It seemed to him those exquisite waxen features bore too plainly the impress of an early death. One sharp pang was spared the father and mother—their little one seemed to suffer no paiu. It was only a great weakness which possessed the fragile frame, and the time came when the golden head could scarcely turn languidly on the pillow to smile into the face bent upon it in love. All but Joan herself saw the gradual sinking, and she refused to believe that one day soon she would be childless. It was her nature thus to cling with terrible intensity to what she loved ; the very strength of her affections was oftentimes a source of pain. "I am not quite satisfied with Dr. Roberts," she said one morning, as her husband was leaving the house. " Don't you think it would satisfy us to get some other advice 1 "My clearest, if it will ease you of a moment's anxiety, I will call Sir William Jenner in this very day," answered Robert, with infinite tenderness. She felt at once the hopelessness of his tone. ".Robert, sho said, lifting her worn, pathetic eyes to his face, "do you think it is useless 1 Do you think we must give him up 1" " My wife, would it be more than you could bear 1" "I am afraid of it," she whispered. " But I will try not to be selfish. I believe it is selfish to wish his life prolonged. But you will see Dr. Jenner to-day ? Everything must be tried. It is possible there may be something we have left undone."

" I will call at his house after business hours, and it' he is at home I will bring him with me," said Hobert. " Try and be brave darling. It unmans mo to see you so utterly prostrated." " It whs what I told you Eobert. I have made idols for myself to worship, and my heart fails me when they are about to be taken from me" she said, with an indescribable pathos of look and tone. "I will pray for forgiveness and strength."

"You wrong yourself, Joan ! You have never placed earthly treasures before heavenly. You cannot help the intensity of your nature, my poor wife ! She smiled wauiy, and shook her head. " I know better than you ; but there, I am keeping you too long. It is nearly ten. Good-bye." She put her hands upon his shoulders and kissed him as was her wont, then went somewhat wearily upstairs, not once looking back. It was not to be marvelled at that "Robert Angus could not fix his attention on business matters that day ; and in his yearning impatience to be home he left the office earlier than usual. He had some business to transact in the Strand, and then took the 'bus to the end of Oxfordstreet, where he alighted, intending to cross the park to the great doctor's residence in Prince's Gate. It was a lovely day, and the air was filled with a balmy sweetness more suggestive of summer weather than of the early spring. The daisies dotted the smooth green turf, and the buds of the trees were expanding into leaf. Birds twittered and sung on every bough, and the whole earth seemed full of happiness and promise. It is often, thus, I think, when the greatest sorrows are about to fall. It was too early yet for the votaries of fashion to be about, but the promenade had its complement of nursemaids and children, the latter enjoying the sunshine to the full. As Robert Angus neared Albert Gate a young lady, who looked like a governess, in company with three lovely children dressed in deep mourning, entered the park by the passenger's gate. Robert Angus was on the carriage way and as he was about to pass out glanced carelessly at the little party. His eye rested first on the boy's fair face, thinking with a sigh that in a year or two Eric might have been just such another. Then suddenly he saw the face of their guardian, and he stood absolutely still. She was a slight young thingonly a girl in appearance—dressed in mourning too, which was exquisitely becoming to her fair face and golden hair. Utterly unconscious of the stranger looking at her so intently, she went on talking gaily to her charges, who seemed to regard her with confidence and love. In a 3 little they were lost among the ;, throng, bub Robert Angus still :l stood ° looking in the direction s whither they had gone, with such a t stony bo' Tor on hi? fr'.eo that some g of the passengers stood still to look

at him, wondering whether he had sustained a shock. Little cared Robert Angus for the curious scrutiny of the passing throng. An awful shock had come to him, indeed. For unless there existed one who so closely resembled her that even he might be deceived, he had looked upon the face of his former wife, Amy Burnett.