The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-11-15
Ozys IN J" A Fascinating
% Romance
vN~v G1 by
w AI ~ Alan Adair..,

A woman had fallen close beside him
la dark-haired, slight woman. He
rushed forward to help her up, quite
unconscious then that the shot that
had been fired was meant for him. and
that the woman had intercepted it. He
had dim idea, too, that he saw
Hutchinson slipping away somewhere;
but he, as well as every one else, was
occupied by the fallen woman.
Ills were the arms that helped her
up. and his were the eyes that recog-
nized Veronica. "My God!" he cried
And when they said do you know
her?" he answered Eyes, and the shot
has killed her was meant for met"
He carried her to room near, and
| when heSaid her down she opened her
eyes and smiled. 81 am 50 happy" she
said, softly. ALAN, I never thought
to feel your arms round me again."
Veronica" he said. remorsefully. Il
would gladly have given my life if this
had not happened"
II know it," she said, "but think of
me for one instant, Alan. You see,
love you, darling. l am dying, so that
it does not matter, and my life made
you unhappy. By dying for you
make you and her happy. 1t is tho
only way, Alan-the only way"
But, Veronica" he urged. But
she would not let him speak
II don't think have long, dear. Let
me die like this in your arms, my head
upon your shoulders. You think
I'm pretty still, don't you What was
I saying? Oh, that it will not matter,
except for the boy. But l know you
and she will be good to him. should
have liked to have seen him just ones
again. You know Hutchinson swore
he would be revenged on you, and so
followed him; and when he fired at
you threw myself between. 1 was
so happy, Alan, dear. The happiest
moment of my life was when l felt
that might die for you"
veronica" he said, touched to the
heart, II don't deserve it-indeed l
don't!"
You see," she went on, "I made
you so unhappy by living-it is the
only way"
And when the doctor came few mo-
ments after Alan could see there was
no hope. The bullet had pierced her
side. and she was bleeding internally.
| She fell into state of semi-consclous-
ness; but towards midnight she
opened her eyes suddenly.
"Kiss me, Alan" she said, land love
my boy"
| And whilst his lips touched hers her
1 spirit passed away.
Joyce, waiting at the docks for a
glimpse of the man she loved, saw the
great vessel glide out to sea without
him. Something must have happened
to delay him, she thought! Full Of fear
and anxiety, she returned home, won
dering what had detained him; but
| the next day she had a telegram with
these words: Veronica died last night
am coming at once And then sne
knew that something serious had &C.
Cured.
Alan came to her, chastened, grey
haired; but still Alan. And when he
told her the simple, touching story OF
poor Veronica's self-sacrifice and death
they wept together. And Joyce re-
solved then and there to be good ana
| loving mother to Alan and Veronica's
boy, which vow she nobly kept. In.
deed, there was nothing stepmotherly
about Joyce, and she could say truly
that she had had nothing but pity fol-
poor Veronica, even whilst she was
keeping Alan and herself apart.
| Alan lost no time in marrying Joyce
again. They had suffered so much
he said. there was no need to pro
long their suffering" Now, indeed,
their life is the ideal life of married
people, whose strong love for each
other is not stronger than their love
of duty, and who did not scruple tc
sacrifice everything they loved bes,
for what they knew to be right.
And as for Veronica's boy, he rs like
Joyce's own. Indeed, if anything, she
spoils him more than her own chill.
dren.
His mother saved your life, dear"
Alan expostulated with her, land he
is dear boy, and he is yours, so you
see have three of the most excellent
reasons for spelling him"
Hutchinson was never seen again.
There was hue-and-cry after him,
but he was never found. Whether he
knew that the shot meant for Alan
had been received by Veronica no one
could tell. He disappeared, and Joyce
and Alan were glad that it should be
SO. They had suffered so much that
they wanted little peace. Most of
all, they did not want revea age. 1t was
poor Veronica who had paid the debt,
and she had done it gladly. saying that
i. was 1.-THE Only Way"
(The End.)
Robert or George.
The legitimist Jacobite league Of
Great Britain and Ireland. through
i Enrio<y-or podwova ~ tha Norfh Aun.