The Lamar register., 1900-08-08

it was more the tender. protective love
that man gives to ono weaker than
himself. Veronica was not his equal
in mental power he knew.
She had had very little education.
and could hardly do more than read
and write. She sang in sweet, full
voice without any art, because sing
ing came natural to her. and she play
ed guitar by ear; but she had no ac-
complishments nor any learning.
She was a pure. innocent, beautiful
child, who wanted to be loved and
cherished. Her father had been cruel
to her, and she feared him. Alan had
been good to her, and she loved him
passionately, and would have gone
through fire and water to serve him.
And SO weeks went by, and at last
there came day when the proofs of
Hutchinson's double dealing were in
Alan's hands. He must go with them
to Dempster or the ruin of the firm
might ensue. II by any chance the
existing government learned that the
respected English firm was providing
the insurgents with firearms there
would be an end to the house that
Richard Dempster had built up with
SO much care.
But then there was Veronica. Alan
knew that she must participate in her
fathers ruin. The thought of the
poor. gentle girl, made to suffer by her
father, without soul to help her. was
too much for the young man. He
loved her quite sufficiently to want to
shield her from any harm There was
only one thing to do: He must tell
Dempster of Hutchinson's treachery.
and he must persuade Veronica to be-
come his wife secretly. 1t must be
secretly. for no one knew either OF
Veronica or of anything else. And so.
went to his chief.
Richard Dempster looked very grave
indeed at the news. The two men sat
up all night in consultation. Hutch
inson was to be dismissed at once;
there was nothing else for IL. And
then Alan made request VIII you
send me to Santa Rosa at once?" he
said. II don't care to stop on here
after / have been the means of getting
rid OF Hutchinson; | don't want to
benefit by his fall"
II shall miss you. my lad" said
Dempster. Il had hoped you would
have settled among us; but l suppose
you have other plans"
He looked at Alan. who Redeemed.
The young man had known for some
time that even his chiefs daughter
would not have denied him; but thetr
he thought OF his lovely. dark-haired
Veronica, who had no one but him
self No. he had ruined her father.
she must be his care-and a very
sweet care. tool Perhaps not the
ideal, the perfect marriage he had
dreamed Of in other days, when soul
goes out to soul. and man and woman
have but one idea, one thought: but
a marriage born of love and respect,
a protective. not a passionate love,
although Veronica was beautiful
enough to cause many mans heart
to beat quickly.
The very evening he had his talk
with his chief he rode out to La Paz.
but this time not to see Hutchinson.
Veronica would be in the avenue. and
Veronica must be wooed to give her
consent: the two had but short time.
You will trust me. veronica?" he
asked.
TO the death" said the girl: but
Alan. | am afraid II he hears of your
part In his ruin he will kill you sooner
or later
He will hear of it," said Alan
gravely Il am not the man to let
another do my dirty work. And will
you wait for me at Santa Rosa. my
darling2 / will make all necessary
arrangements. and will be married the
day | come
And so matters were arranged, and
Veronica promised: and this was the
end of Alan Mackenzie's life in Rio.
ITO be coutinued)
Parior Magic.